What began as a quiet evening hobby on a kitchen table in 2014 has blossomed into a lush sanctuary in the heart of London.
This week we headed to London Terrariums to have a chat with Emma Sibley, founder of the Bethnal Green based studio.
We spoke about how the journey of London Terrariums has been a lesson in the power of slow, intentional growth, from their beginnings in Bermondsey Market to their forever home in Shoreditch.
The studio itself is less of a traditional garden centre and what Sibley defines as a green concept store. The curated space blurs the boundaries between the indoors and the natural world, filled with self watering planters, botanical homewares and the miniature glass ecosystems that started it all.
The appeal of a closed terrarium lies in its quiet resilience. Sibley explained to us the history of terrariums as self-sustaining worlds that thrive on their own humidity, which were originally based on a Victorian invention.
As the plants photosynthesize, the resulting condensation creates a gentle cycle of moisture that allows them to flourish even if you happen to leave them alone for six months. For those living in the city without a patch of grass to call their own, these glass vessels offer a tangible way to reconnect with the earth.
Sibley and her team also run a number of workshops. We talked about her satisfaction of seeing people who have never touched a plant before suddenly find themselves absorbed in the history and science of these miniature jungles. It is an accessible hobby that encourages foraging and repurposing, proving that a thriving ecosystem can just as easily live in a saved jam jar as it can in an expensive glass dome.
Beyond the shop floor, the ambition for London Terrariums has reached impressive heights. The brand has collaborated on large scale projects that push the limits of what a terrarium can be, including a two metre tall installation for designer Anya Hindmarch and a series of carboy terrariums for the Victoria and Albert Museum. Despite these prestigious milestones, the heart of the business remains rooted in community and discovery. The back of the store houses a botanical library filled with independent magazines and radical gardening zines, celebrating the stories of fellow makers and the simple, enduring love of all things green. It is a space designed for anyone looking to bring a little piece of the outside back home.
Watch the full video below.
Image credits: London Terrariums
