Tiny World Terrariums

Michelle Inciarrano and Katy Maslow are the founders of Twig Terrariums, a Brooklyn-based company whose work has been featured in the New York Times and Design*Sponge. Their book takes a playful, storytelling approach to terrarium building, using miniature figurines and props to create narrative scenes inside glass containers.

Why Consider This One

If the idea of building tiny worlds appeals to you more than strictly botanical arrangements, this is the terrarium book to pick up. Inciarrano and Maslow treat each terrarium as a stage set: a wedding scene, a Central Park springtime, even a miniature crime scene investigation. The plants are important, but they serve the story rather than being the sole focus.

The book covers all the practical basics, from selecting glass containers to layering soil and filtration to choosing the right moss, succulents, and other plants. The instructions are clear and the photography is charming. But the real draw is the creative philosophy: these authors want you to think of terrariums as a form of self-expression, not just a gardening project.

At 120 pages, this is the shortest of the three recommended terrarium books, which makes it a quick and inspiring read. It does not go as deep into plant science or long-term care as “Gardens Under Glass,” but it excels at sparking creative ideas and showing you what is possible when you think beyond the traditional planted terrarium.

What to Expect

A compact, playful guide that combines terrarium building with miniature world-making. At 120 pages, it covers the fundamentals of plant selection and construction, then focuses on creative projects that use figurines and found objects to tell stories. The photography is delightful and the tone is lighthearted. Best suited for creative types who want their terrariums to be whimsical conversation pieces.