Bioattic is the ultimate gift shop for greenfingers, particularly those of the environmental bent. There’s a stunning range of low-maintenance, easy-care cacti and tropical succulents of every size and shape, from tiny potted specimens to impressive aquariums. You’ll even find Bioattic at the K’ Road end of Ponsonby, on the other end of Kew Gardens. You could say Bioattic sells cactii for the environmentally conscious garden.

A visit to the Bioattic website leaves one with the distinct impression that its designers must have spent lots of time in ecology class. There’s a wide selection of flowering plants and flowering rocks – with more varieties being added each month. The causes are all named, and photographs accompany the catalogue. The plants come in pots which are then placed into a sturdy, glazed, self-sustaining ceramic pot that keeps them moist and protected from damage. There’s also a nice bioattic planter that has drawers that make it very easy to keep bonsai trees healthy.

For anyone who wants to take their hobby to the next level, you’re going to love what Bioattic has to offer. The company has been in the tropical gardening business for more than 15 years, so it knows exactly what it’s doing. And it brings that knowledge with it to its website. “What makes us different is that we use tropical plant life in the design of our terrariums,” says Thomas Perrin, head of design at bioattic. “We’ve found over the years that different species have different requirements, and we have tailored our products to suit each one.”

If you want your terrarium to be both attractive and functional, then there’s a lot you can do with the design. In the “specifications” section of the website, there’s a list of just a few of the features that this designer company offers. There’s even a color scheme to match the design of your house. And there are some really lovely natural tones available, including mahogany, which offers a warm glow against the backdrop of green. For those who like to get in the way, there are lighted plant stands available in a variety of colors and shapes. And if you’re looking for a particularly cheerful design, there are “beanpod” versions of Bioattic’s popular terrarium dioramas.

The best thing about these kits, though, is that they all come with everything you need. “Everything that you need is included in the package,” says Thomas Perrin. “We include the soil and stones, the heater, the plant stand and the bulbs, as well as all the ropes and fittings so that you don’t have to waste any time or money buying additional things to set up the kit. It’s also packaged in such a way that it is easy to assemble, and quick to set up too.” Other kits might offer more things, but they often contain more stuff that is less well put together.

The materials that go into each kit are well made, too, and they are all designed to last. The heating units, for instance, are designed to be very durable and light. There’s a lot of thought that has gone into the construction of each Bioattic kit, making it highly resistant to the elements. This design is very important, because Bioattic’s aim is to make a living in a very eco-friendly way – by using recycled materials wherever possible, and by using energy efficient, low electricity systems.

The materials used in the construction of the Bioattic kit, as well, are top quality. The company has received good reviews from satisfied customers all over the world, and many people say that it was well worth the money that they paid for it. “The terrarium arrived well packed and unpacked with all the parts and accessories. Everything you need was included in the kit – including instructions for assembly,” says Mike. “I assembled the terrarium in just a few hours, and it’s turned out very nicely.”

“A biohazard kit review would have to include the Bioattic terrarium. I have never seen anything quite like it. The quality, size, design, and construction are excellent. I am very happy with my choice,” says Joanna. “It is exactly what we wanted, and it came out looking so much like the real thing, that we are going to put a terrarium on the refrigerator next time that we have guests over,” she adds with a smile.