Building Closed Terrariums at Roosevelt's in Portland

If you enjoy plants or like making things with your hands, Roosevelt's Terrariums is worth knowing about. It's a garden center and gift shop at 1510 SE 44th Ave #101 in Portland, named after Teddy Roosevelt, who as a young man made homemade terrariums in his room with his brother Elliot. The shop focuses on custom-grown terrariums, terrarium glass, and weekly classes where you build your own closed terrarium. Each one uses tropical plants, live mosses, rocks, and minerals, and it's sealed up as a small, self-sustaining ecosystem.

The main class is the Closed Terrarium Class, held in person for groups of 5 to 20 guests at $65 per person. Classes last two hours and are recommended for kids 12 and up, with anyone under 16 needing an adult along. Spectators aren't allowed, except for children under 6 with an adult, parents of minors under 16, and people with disabilities. If you can't make it to the shop, the Make a Closed Terrarium at Home live stream costs $75 and includes a craft kit shipped to you. Teams can book a private session for a minimum of 10 people (some sources say 8) and up to 16, at $29.98 per person, which includes a $25 credit toward a terrarium. Groups of four or more signing up for an open class can use the code 4ORMORE at checkout. Cancellations get one free reschedule per reservation; after that there's a $25 fee per person, and no-shows are charged $25 per person. You get a refund with at least 48 hours' notice, and arriving more than twenty minutes late means the class is cancelled.

If you'd rather plant your own container, the shop charges a $10 cleaning fee plus a minimum of $35 for a small terrarium, which covers plants, soil, rocks, gravel, and moss. Larger terrariums are priced at $75 per cubic foot. Terrariums priced at $99 or more come with a No-Fault Warranty. Since the plants are alive, there are no returns, but the shop offers a good price on a replacement container and moves the plants into it. Empty containers are sold at one third the price of a planted terrarium. The shop also repairs terrariums not bought there, for a small fee. Repairs are done during opening hours without an appointment, and terrariums not picked up within 30 days become the shop's property. Care is simple: a terrarium with a tight-fitting lid needs water only once a year, while looser lids need watering every two to eight months. Use a spray bottle over the glass until about 90% of the soil has darkened, and use tap water left out overnight or bottled water without electrolytes. Keep them in indirect light, away from south- and west-facing windows, since the plants come from tropical rainforests. The shop doesn't work with cacti or succulents.

The shop is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed Sunday through Tuesday. You can call (503) 734-9996 or email info@rooseveltspdx.com. Payment is accepted in cash, major credit and debit cards, and Apple Pay, and gift cards come in $50, $100, $200, $300, $400, or custom amounts. The shop has 4.8 out of 5 stars from 320 reviews on Google Maps. Reviewers mention the cozy atmosphere, the wide selection of plants, stones, and glass, and hosts Daniel, Wren, and Gregg Harris, who are described as knowledgeable and accommodating. One review mentions meeting an instructor at the Portland Night Market.