Set It and Forget It!
I also pre-moisten the soil mix slightly, stirring thoroughly so that the moisture is evenly distributed throughout. For a typical peat based soil-less mix, I would add about one part warm water to three parts soil mix and stir well. This makes the soil less dusty and so keeps the glass cleaner when you put the soil in.
Once the soil is in place, plant it up. It is a good idea to arrange your plants on the counter top ahead of time so you know roughly where they will be planted in the soil. This minimizes the rearranging inside the terrarium where it can be awkward to reach or where you may inadvertently spill soil on the glass. If you are using any ornaments such as figurines or rocks, this is the time to add them.
When you are satisfied with the arrangement, brush any spilled soil off the foliage, rinsing or misting the leaves clean if necessary. Wipe the interior walls clean too if you made a mess while planting. Then water very lightly, just enough to settle the soil around the roots.
Now cover the top opening with plastic wrap, a piece of glass or piece of clear plastic to maintain the humidity level.
By covering the terrarium, you have created a mini environment where the moisture will recycle. Some terrariums are self sufficient enough to grow for years on end unattended.
Monitor the humidity inside the terrarium at first. If large drops of condensation form on the walls, open the top to let it dry out a bit. If no condensation forms, add water a tiny bit at a time, reseal it and observe the results. Repeat until the terrarium shows just a bit of condensation on the glass and thus comes into balance.
Once this balance has been achieved, you may not need to water it again as long as it is kept closed. If you open the cover to allow for extra air flow around plants that need it, or to add or remove plants, then you may need to water it occasionally to replenish moisture lost to evaporation. A little experimenting will show you what works best in the unique environment or microclimate you have created.
Finally, place the terrarium in a bright location but safely out of direct sunlight. Direct sun will cause it to overheat inside just like a closed up parked car on a hot summer
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