Hi
looks like it's made of metal so any kind of rust preventive treatment certainly couldn't harm it?? lol
I've kept a 150 gallon terrarium in my shadehouse for many years though protected both from wind and direct sun it is exposed to rain . made of glass and acrylic so no problem with rust do have a problem with water accumulation Another is heat accumulation even though in shade . I leave the top off .
besides rust would there be a problem with strong winds??
Probably need to anchor it down somehow.
Any thoughts on what you intend to plant??
certainly will make a nice garden sculpture even if not an ideal terrarium gary

Thank you for your response! I can't find much about outdoor terrariums on the internet although I'm sure it's out there somewhere. It will be exposed to some wind although will have some protection among the trees but not against a wall of any type. We will ahve to weight it down and anchor it into the ground somewhow. My husband says just take out the glass and then it will be easier to spray it for weatherproofing and it wouldn't be as easily knockeed over by wind but I want to try it first with the glass intact and see how it goes. I may put a fairy garden in it so moss and small ferns and possibly a small woodland flowering plant as it will be in the shade. The heat may be a problem but the doors can be left slightly ajar if that's a problem. Obviously, I have a lot to learn about terrarium plants. I am certainly not a master gardener but try to read as many books, magazines, internet forums, etc. about various gardening, especially for our Upstate SC zone 7b region. If you have any plant suggestons, I am all ears! We even have little tiny frogs in the spring around the pond and they might do well in there as long as little bugs and flies can get in to keep them fed. I am going to study terrarium plants before I buy!

hi
Noted many others jumped in with suggestions lol Would imagine it will be difficult to keep warm during winter? If so probably the best bet would be a summer planting??
in my own experience lowland tropicals do the best in terrariums though most can't tolerate low temps.
About all you can do is experiment ?? maybe after "danger of frost" lol Good luck gary

Very few people attempt outdoor terrs -- just too many problems.

Heat build up -- even in shade, as Gary said -- is often a major issue. All it takes is one overheating experience and everything in the terr can be dead.

Water is another issue. If you leave the terr particially open to let heat out, a good rain or one's sprinklers can
flood the terr. This can quickly lead to the death of the plants unless they are swamp dwellers.

Getting knocked over whether by wind or animals is yet another thing to worry about -- and then you have broken glass all over too.

If you leave the glass in and use it as a terr -- I'd say keep it on a well lit but shaded porch/patio. Otherwise, take out the glass as you mentioned and use it as a planter/sculpture would be my vote.

Jo, I love that terrarium!!! I dream of having one someday :)

I think I am chickening out of keeping the glass in. I am going to remove the silicone and glass and put it away in case I want to bring it indoors someday and just plant small things in it without the glass. Will probably put some sort of wire bottom to hold the soil and plant some ferns, a polka dot plant and some impatiens in it as it will be in the shade. Most likely, at least during the hot summer, I will have to water it daily but I have many, many wire baskets, galvanized buckets (with holes in the bottom) that I intend to plant with various anuals and trailing plants so will have to dip water from the pond at least every other day with my trusty black plastic bucket and water them all anyway. We had a wedding at our farm last year and a wedding reception is scheduled for April and our daughter's wedding reception will be here May of 2014 so trying my best to get plenty of perennials, shrubs and annuals going down there each year! Thank you all for your valued input. I apprecaite it very much.

Hi..I love your terrarium also....I always have had a interest in terrariums but don't have a lot of luck with them.....but I keep trying...I have never thought of using one outside I will be watching this thread...hope you don't mind I posted a picture of mine....I just have mini violets in mine......linda

That's gorgeous, Linda! I went through the garden center at Walmart the other day to pick up photos at the back and saw some small ferns and other small plants. We will take out the glass, spray it well and try it down at the koi pond. My husband intends to anchor it down for me. It will go in this shady area under the trees in the background here.

Hi, what a great spot....it will look fantastic there, I would love to see a picture when you have it all set up...
I have never thought of putting it outside, but here in Minnesota it would HAVE to come in doors for the winter....good luck with your project....linda

I'll be posting pix when spring ever finally arrives here! Yesterday, i 'rescued' some plants from a friend's backyard including Mahonia, Ajuga and other things and dug up some things from my Dad's woods and came home and planted them in the 60 degree sunny weather in short sleeves. Today, it is freezing out there and they are predicting a mixture of rain and snow this afternoon!!! I appreciate the complement on our koi pond area.

have you thought of putting it in the water to hide the anchor i think that would look cool

So I was googling "outdoor terrariums" and came across this thread! funny thing is I actually have the same terrarium as you! I was wondering if you had any luck with it as I am trying to figure out what to do... thanks =)