Sunset’s First Drought-Friendly Gardens: ’70s Terrariums

Our 1973 Terrariums & Miniature Gardens book is out of print, but we dug up a copy of the popular relic from our archives.

Terrariums have been around for a long time, but they first gained popularity in the West in the 1960s and ‘70s. Our book was used at the time to help people design, maintain, and understand their own miniature gardens. Its awesome hand-drawn sketches are still super helpful (and passed down from generation to generation, like many vintage books in the Sunset collection).

Because terrariums recycle their own water, they’re a good drought-friendly alternative to planting outside. Closed terrariums will bring color into your home with only a little bit of water each month, so you can enjoy some new greenery without the guilt.

Feeling nostalgic? For more ways to bring the ‘70s back to your home, check out these style tips from the Sunset editors.

Sketches of terrariums