Keep the Growing Season Going With the Best Greenhouses for Your Plants and Vegetables (2024)

• Our Picks

• What to Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust The Spruce

Our pick for the best overall greenhouse is the Home-Complete Walk-In Greenhouse. This budget-friendly greenhouse has a sturdy steel frame and a durable PVC plastic cover that controls the greenhouse temperature and lighting, keeps out pests, and encourages plants to thrive all year long.

One of the best features of this top-rated greenhouse is its size and light weight (20 pounds). We also like that it can be used both indoors and outside. You'll find it small enough for most outdoor spaces such as patios, but large enough to walk comfortably into to manage your plants and move items.Also, it's easy to assemble without any tools required and comes with ropes and anchors to help keep it stable.

We love that this greenhouse includes eight durable shelves, which offer plenty of space to store small and large plants, plant and seed trays, lights, and other gardening supplies. Although this isn't the most stylish option out there, we appreciate that it has a simple design that will work in a variety of spaces and provides many useful features at a reasonable price.

Price at time of publish: $90

_{Dimensions: 56.3 x 56.3 x 76.7 inches | Material: Steel frame, PVC cover | Weight: 20.2 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes | Temperature Control System: No}

Building a custom greenhouse gives you the flexibility to create the perfect space for your garden. And the E-Z Greenhouse kit is for the serious horticulturist because it involves laying out considerable money and considerable time to build. But if you want to build your own greenhouse, this kit, which includes only brackets, is our favorite because it’s extremely durable and lets you choose your own lumber type.

The polypropylene brackets are made of heavy-duty polypropylene that won't rust. The manufacturer also claims that the brackets' built-in UV inhibitor prevents them from cracking in constant sunshine or cold temperatures. All parts included in this kit are made in the USA.

As mentioned, you have to supply the lumber, cover material, and hardware, which adds to the hefty price. So this product is as affordable or expensive as you want it to be, depending on the quality of lumber and other items you select.

Price at time of publish: $252

_{Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 9 feet| Material: Polypropylene | Weight: 8 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes | Temperature Control System: No}

We love the Porayhut Pop Up Mini Greenhouse Cover if you just have a few plants you want to keep protected. Affordable enough for most budgets, and small enough for most yards, this greenhouse measures 30 inches tall and is quick to set up right out of the box. And when you are done using it for the season, it can easily be stored without taking up too much space.

Since the structure is entirely transparent, you can just take a peek without opening the plastic cover. Although, when you do need to water your plants or ventilate the air, the cover is simple to roll up so you can reach inside. Plus, according to the manufacturer, the cover is waterproof and UV-protected to help it withstand the elements.

Price at time of publish: $19

_{Dimensions: 27.6 x 27.6 x 31.5 inches | Material: PE cover, steel hoops | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes | Temperature Control System: No}

The Ohuhu Mini Greenhouse is our top pick for small spaces because it offers plenty of storage space and has a high-quality cover, all at a reasonable price. It measures 2.5 feet wide and just under 2 feet deep. But at almost 5.5 feet tall, you have four roomy shelves that allow space for up to a dozen small plants. The manufacturer says each shelf, buoyed by thick tubes, can support up to 22 pounds. Shelves include ropes, so you can attach your plants to the poles to keep them secure. Like many of the picks on this list, assembly is required.

This greenhouse’s cover is made of durable PE plastic, with reinforced gridlines for durability. It has a zippered, resealable door, and provides ample protection against harsh weather conditions. The poles that make up the heavy-duty frame are thick enough to provide stability. But they also can be easily detached, so you can move or store the greenhouse in the off-season (you can also use it indoors as a plant self without the cover).

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Dimensions: 29.7 x 19.7 x 62.2 inches | Material: Steel and polyethylene | Weight: 11.18 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes | Temperature Control System: No}

If you’re looking to create your own greenhouse from an existing frame or structure over your garden, the best option for greenhouse plastic is from Farm Plastic Supply. You can use this heavy-duty clear greenhouse plastic sheeting to create your own greenhouse. It features optimal light transmission and full protection from sun, wind, rain, and other harsh weather conditions all year long.It also can serve as a cover for an existing greenhouse that may need additional protection or ventilation.

This clear plastic 6-millimeter sheeting, made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), comes in 40-foot-long rolls that are 25 feet wide. The sheeting is designed to let 90 percent of light through. But it also contains additives the manufacturer says should protect against UV rays. While this option is expensive, we think it's worth it if you have an existing structure you want to repurpose or salvage.

Price at time of publish: $121

_{Dimensions: 25 x 40 feet | Material: Low-density polyethylene| Weight: 30 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes | Temperature Control System: No}

A lean-to greenhouse is built against a wall, or wall-mounted. We chose the Outsunny Lean-To Greenhouse as our top choice in this category because, at under 5 feet wide and less than 4 feet deep, it's the perfect size to fit against the side of a house and is easy to move when needed. We also like that this greenhouse has pegs and wind ropes for added stability. The solid wall acts as a temperature moderator, so the greenhouse can maintain a more consistent temperature throughout the year.

The Outsunny Greenhouse has a tear-proof and UV-protected polyethylene cover and steel frame. This greenhouse lacks shelves for storage, as do some of the other picks on this list, but its roll-up zippered door allows for easy access to the plants. Assembly is required.

Price at time of publish: $79

_{Dimensions: 84 x 56.4 x 46.8 inches | Material: Steel and polyethylene | Weight: 13.22 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes | Temperature Control System: No}

Do you want to overwinter plants? A cold-frame greenhouse is an enclosed structure that protects your plants during winter months.This Giantex Cold Frame Greenhouse is our top pick because it's made of sturdy Chinese fir wood and has plastic polycarbonate panels that keep cold air out but let sunlight in for heat. Although assembly is required, Its versatile design allows you to close the top to keep away the rain, attach and detach parts as needed, and move it around to optimize its location, all without tools.

At less than 3 feet long and under 2 feet wide, this attractively designed greenhouse doesn’t take up a lot of space, although it has a lot of storage room and built-in shelves for plants, trays, and accessories. We love that you can prop the roof and window panels open in summer months to let your plants enjoy the humidity and sunshine.

Price at time of publish: $140

_{Dimensions: 30 x 22.4 x 42.9 inches | Material: Chinese fir wood and polycarbonate panels | Weight: 23.7 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes | Temperature Control System: No}

A portable greenhouse can be especially helpful if you want to protect your garden or certain plants during winter months only. The Outsunny Walk In Greenhouse doesn’t offer storage shelves, like other options in this roundup. But its size and structure make it perfect for a beginner who needs a solution for a large garden area.

This 11.5-foot-tall greenhouse has a traditional walk-in tunnel structure with a roll-up entrance and windows for ventilation. The transparent PE plastic cover protects plants and allows enough sunlight to pass through. One thing to note is that this greenhouse is not rated for snow or high winds, and is recommended in milder climates with little or no snow.

Price at time of publish: $227

_{Dimensions: 11.5 x 10 x 7 feet | Material: Steel frame and PE plastic cover | Weight: 37.47 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes | Temperature Control System: No}

With a sleek, modern design, this mini greenhouse from Ikea is our favorite tabletop option. The Senapskal Greenhouse is available in black or white and can double as decor or storage if you don't use it for plants. This greenhouse’s structure supports small container plants, such as herbs, and provides excellent support for any climbing plant.

We also like that this greenhouse is made of powder-coated galvanized steel, which is very durable and would work just as well outdoors as indoors. One drawback is it lacks a cover and has no temperature control. You could always add your own plastic cover or even a grow lamp if the plants on your table need climate control.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Dimensions: 13.5 x 14.25 x 7 inches | Material: Galvanized steel, polyester powder coating | Weight: Not listed | Assembly Required: No | Temperature Control System: No}

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Home-Complete Walk-In Greenhouse. It’s easy to assemble, budget-friendly, and has eight shelves for plenty of storage space. For a cold-weather option that looks great in your yard, we recommend the Giantex Cold Frame Greenhouse, which is made of beautiful wood, includes sturdy doors that can be propped open, and supplies plenty of storage room.

FAQ

• What can you grow in a greenhouse?

  One of the main benefits of greenhouses is they extend your yearly growing season, allowing you to have plants when they can’t be grown outdoors. This allows you to start seeds for your vegetable or flower gardens earlier in the spring and perhaps keep plants alive and producing longer into the fall. However, you can grow virtually anything in a greenhouse, from vegetables and herbs to your favorite houseplants and flowers. It’s just a matter of maintaining a proper temperature and humidity to help them thrive.

• How do you maintain a greenhouse?

  It’s important to maintain an appropriate temperature and humidity level within your greenhouse, and there are a few ways to do this. A thermometer is a must to monitor the temperature, which should stay around 80 to 85 degrees. When it gets too hot, it’s important to open vents and turn on any fans to help cool the space. You also can prop the door open or use a shade cloth to maintain the temperature.

  Good ventilation also helps control humidity levels. You should take care to properly water plants to prevent the space from getting too humid.Bugs can infest your greenhouse, so stay on top of pest control, inspecting new plants for bugs before you bring them in. It’s also important to wash the greenhouse's interior and exterior panels at least once a year to keep them clean. If too much grime accumulates, it can prevent sunlight from reaching your plants.

• Where should you place a greenhouse?

  When installing your greenhouse, choose a level spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Keep the structure away from any trees that would cast shade over it, and make sure the location is easily accessible since you probably visit it every day.

  If you plan to use your greenhouse year-round, it’s best to have the ridge of the structure run east-west, as this maximizes light in winter. However, if you’re only going to use the greenhouse in spring and summer, align the ridge north-south, which gives it an equal amount of sun on each side and reduces the risk of overheating on hot days.

• How do you keep a greenhouse warm in winter?

  Which method you choose depends largely on your budget and personal preferences. The Royal Horticulture Society (RHS), Britain's leading gardening charity, recommends electric sources, even though they are costly, because they offer close control over the temperature and do not use combustion products, which can harm plants. Electric options include a fan heater, or a ground-source heat pump. Less expensive options include gas and oil systems such as boilers. But you must ensure proper ventilation, or your plants could be harmed. Other possibilities are solar panels, hot beds, and heated propagators.

The 8 Best Outdoor Storage Sheds for 2024