General advice

There are many factors that can influence your Jar’s life expectancy, which can be anywhere between 3 months and 5 years or more. Increasing the lifespan may require some maintenance. Have a look at your plant every once in a while, and try to see if there is anything out of the ordinary. Each species has specific issues that you should try to fix, and some that are just fine and can be left alone. Maintenance might require you to remove parts of the plant. The core of the ecosystem lives in the soil, so do not be afraid to open your Jar and to help it live longer.

Open your Jar

To open your jar, please follow these steps:

• Undo the clasp at the bottom of the Jar.
• Opposite the clasp you will find the hinge. Squeeze the two loops together and move the glass jar to unhook the hinge.
• Carefully lift the glass jar straight up and over the plant. The plant will touch the opening – that’s okay.

Remove a leaf

Take a pair of clean scissors and cut the leaf flush with the stem. Do not leave a stump.

Remove a stem

To remove a stem this is what you should do:

• With one hand, place two fingers on either side of the base of the stem and press down gently on the layer of coconut fibres.
• With your other hand, pull the stem upwards to remove the stem and its roots in one go. If it does not want to move, wiggle it back and forth a little while pulling. Try to avoid jerking it free.
• Remove any soil particles that came up with the roots. Often just blowing on them is enough.

Close the jar

To close your jar, please follow these steps:

• Hold the glass jar in one hand with the opening downwards.
• With your free hand, gently help the plant through the opening of the glass jar.
• When the entire plant has moved through the opening, use both hands to set the glass jar down on the base.
• Pinch the two loops of the hinge together and move the glass jar to get both hooks into the loops.
• Close the clasp, sealing the Jar airtight.