Ever since Pokémon returned to the spotlight, fans have been turning glass domes and jars into miniature Pokémon habitats, a sprig of moss, a few tiny plants, and a figure of Bulbasaur, Pikachu or Eevee nestled inside. Part terrarium, part diorama, they’re a joyful crossover of two hobbies, and refreshingly easy to make yourself.
What is a Poké Ball terrarium?
It’s a small planted terrarium, usually in a round glass globe or dome that echoes the shape of a Poké Ball, decorated to look like a Pokémon’s natural habitat with a Pokémon figure as the star. Some are living (real moss and plants); many handmade ones use preserved moss and artificial plants so they never need care. Either way, the fun is in the theming: matching the scene to the Pokémon that lives in it.
Why they make a brilliant gift
- Two fandoms in one, perfect for a Pokémon fan who also loves plants (or vice versa).
- Personal, build it around their favourite Pokémon or starter.
- Low or no maintenance, a preserved or artificial build needs nothing; a living one needs only occasional care.
- A real talking point, it looks fantastic on a desk, shelf or bedside table.
The best Pokémon for a planted terrarium
Half the fun is choosing a Pokémon whose "type" suits a real little garden. The natural fits:
Grass-types (the obvious stars)
Bulbasaur is the perfect terrarium Pokémon, it literally carries a plant bulb, so a mossy, leafy scene looks right at home. Other great grass-types include Oddish, Bellsprout, Chikorita, Turtwig, Sprigatito and the woodland Leafeon. Pair them with live moss, baby’s tears and a tiny fern for a lush jungle look.
Water-types (for a mossy, damp scene)
Squirtle, Piplup, Mudkip and Vaporeon suit a cool, mossy build with a few pebbles standing in for a pond, or a genuine little water feature in a aqua terrarium.
Fan favourites
Pikachu and Eevee (and its evolutions) are the most-requested of all, they suit a bright meadow or a woodland-floor scene. A little group of Eeveelutions across a mossy landscape is a lovely display.
Pokémon figures for your terrarium
The figure is the centrepiece. Official 2-inch (5cm) Pokémon battle figures are exactly the right scale for a globe or dome, and multipacks let you swap the cast or build several scenes:
Pokémon and Poké Ball are trademarks of Nintendo / The Pokémon Company; figures linked here are official merchandise sold by third parties.
The vessel: Poké Ball domes, globes & jars
A clear round glass globe or dome is the closest ready-made shape to a Poké Ball, and it shows the scene off from every angle. A wide-mouthed jar or a small geometric vessel works too. For a truly Poké-Ball look, some makers add a red-and-white base or lid, easy to DIY with a painted timber disc.
How to make your own Poké Ball terrarium
A living build takes about half an hour:
- Choose your Pokémon & vessel. A grass-type in a round glass globe is the classic. Decide open (succulents, drier) or closed (moss, humid).
- Drainage. A 2–3 cm layer of gravel or LECA (no drainage hole).
- Charcoal. A thin scatter of activated charcoal to keep a sealed build fresh.
- Substrate. A moisture-retentive mix for moss and small plants.
- Plant & landscape. Carpet with live moss, add a tiny fern or baby’s tears, then place your Pokémon figure and a few pebbles to build the scene.
- Finish the Poké Ball look. Sit the globe on a red-and-white painted base or a simple stand, and mist lightly for a closed build.
Prefer artificial? Use preserved moss and faux plants so it never needs watering. New to terrariums? Start with how to make a terrarium or plan it with our free terrarium builder.
Themed build ideas
- Bulbasaur’s forest, deep moss, a fern and dark pebbles for a shaded jungle floor.
- Squirtle’s pond, moss around a pebble "pool", or a small water feature.
- Pikachu’s meadow, a bright, open scene with a low carpet and a sunny feel.
- Eeveelution woodland, a longer, low landscape with a group of figures.
- Legendary display, a dramatic single figure (Rayquaza, Mewtwo) on a minimalist mossy mound.
Complete the build: kits & moss
If you’d rather grab everything at once, a kit bundles the vessel and layers, and live moss gives the instant "grass" look, both ship fast within Australia:
Caring for a Pokémon terrarium
- Living build: bright, indirect light (never direct sun, which cooks the glass), and only occasional misting for a mossy closed globe. See our moss care guide.
- Preserved / artificial build: nothing at all, just keep it out of direct sun and damp, and dust the figure now and then.
Where to buy Pokémon & Poké Ball terrariums
- Etsy and independent makers, the best source for ready-made, handmade Poké Ball terrariums, often customisable to your favourite Pokémon, worldwide.
- Amazon, for official Pokémon figures, glass globes, kits and moss to build your own. Links open your local Amazon automatically.
- Local, by region: in Australia, Kmart and Bunnings for cheap glass vessels (see Kmart and Bunnings), and hobby shops for figures.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Poké Ball terrarium?
A small planted terrarium in a round glass globe or dome, decorated to look like a Pokémon’s habitat with a Pokémon figure inside. It can be living (real moss and plants) or preserved/artificial for zero maintenance.
Which Pokémon is best for a terrarium?
Grass-types are the natural fit, Bulbasaur most of all, along with Oddish, Bellsprout, Turtwig and Leafeon. Water-types like Squirtle suit a mossy, damp scene, and Pikachu and Eevee are the most popular of all.
How do I make a Pokémon terrarium?
Layer drainage, charcoal and substrate in a glass globe, carpet it with live moss, add a small plant, then place a Pokémon figure and some pebbles. Sit it on a red-and-white base for the Poké Ball look, or use preserved moss for a no-care version.
Where can I buy a ready-made one?
Etsy and independent makers are the best source for handmade, often customisable Poké Ball terrariums. For a DIY, buy official Pokémon figures, a glass globe and moss on Amazon.
Are the plants real?
It depends on the build. Living terrariums use real moss and plants and need a little light and misting; many handmade ones use preserved moss and artificial plants so they never need care.
Pokémon and Poké Ball are trademarks of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company; this is an independent fan guide. Some Amazon links are affiliate links, if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.