Glass Cloches

Similar to a bell jar, a glass cloche is traditionally used to cover plants, helping to create a protective environment. Developed in Europe, glass cloches are popular accessories for home gardeners and house plant enthusiasts. Glass cloches come in a variety of shapes from long and slender to something that closely resembles a laboratory bell jar. Glass cloches often a feature a small finial at the top.

In addition to serving a practical purpose, glass cloches can also be purely decorative. Glass cloches as still used to cover outdoor plants and flowers, protecting the plants from the cold. Indoors, glass cloches were used for much the same reason. When used to cover plants and flowers, glass cloches can create an environment very similar to terrariums and green houses. A properly constructed terrarium helps to create a humid, lush environment that is ideal for a wide variety of plants. The same can be said for glass cloches though the size and scale is generally smaller than the average terrarium.

Garden cloches can range from decorative glass to more elaborate structures from wood, plastic and other materials. Again, like a terrarium, garden cloches help to protect plants from the cold, helping to create a more hospitable environment.

Around the home, glass cloches are a handy and decorative way to protect and display small collectables. In the kitchen, glass cloches can be used to cover food items adding a touch of elegance to any table setting. Cloches for the kitchen can be made from fired clay and are designed to hold heat. Popular since the 1920's, the cloche hat reflects the bell shape of the classic glass cloche.