The Left Lane
What's next, disco?

Associated Press

The enclosed gardens first came into fashion after 19th-century explorers brought back exotic plants in glass jars. That led to a trend during Victorian times when conservatories were built to house collections. Then, in the '70s, everything from brandy snifters to Skippy jars became terrarium habitats.

Terrariums are back, even gracing the pages of Martha Stewart Living. Martha says to "mist plants at least once a day." But anyone who has ever been amazed by moisture-recycling containers knows that a little neglect can be a good thing.