By Glenda Taylor and Savannah Sher | Updated Jun 29, 2022 5:32 PM
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Extend your vegetable harvest into fall or get a jump on spring planting with a compact greenhouse. The protective environment in a greenhouse shields tender plants from temperature swings, harmful pests, and high winds while offering diffused sunlight for optimum plant growth.
You don’t need a large backyard to take advantage of the benefits a greenhouse offers; don’t let the small size of these compact greenhouses fool you. Each one offers plenty of protection for seedlings and tender plants. We’ve rounded up some of the best compact greenhouse options that won’t take up too much room but offer the benefits of a larger structure.
Choosing a compact greenhouse might seem like a simple decision, but there are actually a number of considerations to weigh. The best compact greenhouses come with a durable frame that will last many growing seasons, a means of ventilation, and easy assembly. Before making a purchase, learn about some of the most important features to look for when shopping for a mini greenhouse—and discover some of the best mini greenhouse options on the market.
There are several different mini greenhouse styles, each of which has its advantages and benefits. Some types may work better for your garden than others. The best choice for you depends on your available space, your budget, and whether you’re looking for a permanent or portable option.
The first factor to consider when shopping for a compact greenhouse is how much available space you have. Luckily, there are plenty of options available, whether your garden consists of a suburban backyard, a city patio, or a tiny balcony. Consider, too, whether you plan to bring your mini greenhouse indoors when temperatures drop to a certain level.
Generally speaking, a compact greenhouse is any model that takes up 10 square feet of floor space or less. They are typically less than 6 feet tall. Sizes vary greatly, however, with models ranging from tabletop versions that take up just a single square foot to walk-in versions more suitable for larger outdoor spaces. Be sure to measure the space you have before making a purchase.
Compact greenhouses typically come with either wooden or metal frames, each of which has both advantages and disadvantages. Consider the following factors when choosing between metal and timber.
Standard greenhouses and some high-end mini greenhouses may feature glass-paneled walls. Glass withstands harsh weather conditions and lets in direct sunlight—ideal conditions for growing seedlings. It can, however, crack or break, so some greenhouses use polycarbonate panels as a cheaper and more durable alternative. The problem with these is that they don’t let in as much light as traditional glass panels.
The most affordable mini greenhouses use plastic siding. While this makes them easier to disassemble and move, it also means that their interiors can easily overheat, which may hurt some plants. Gardeners using this style of greenhouse have to take care to avoid high temperatures and humidity levels. It’s crucial to control ventilation using roll-up windows or doors. Another downside to greenhouses with plastic siding is that they may not be able to withstand extremely high winds.
Larger compact greenhouses often feature tiers or shelving to allow you to maximize the vertical space within the structure. This shelving may be made of wood, plastic, or metal and generally matches the frame of the structure. While greenhouse shelving is sometimes fixed in place, some models feature adjustable shelves to accommodate plants of various sizes.
While shelving is handy for allowing you to house more plants, it’s not ideal when you’re starting seedlings. Upper shelves create too much shade and prevent seedlings on lower shelves from getting the sunlight they need.
Before choosing a mini greenhouse, consider how you intend to use it. Consider a portable option if you intend to move your mini greenhouse around your indoor or outdoor space. Lightweight metal frames and plastic siding make for the most portable options.
Mini greenhouses with wooden frames or glass-paneled walls look great and last long, but these are not your most portable options, especially the larger models.
While most mini greenhouses on the market feature simply a frame, cover, and shelving, some greenhouses may come with the following additional features:
Now that you’ve learned more about small greenhouses, it’s time to start shopping. The following are the top picks for the best compact greenhouses for your garden. These recommendations for the best small greenhouses deliver quality construction, great size options, portability, and other helpful features. Whether you’re looking for a walk-in, tabletop, or pop-up greenhouse, there’s sure to be a good solution here for your garden.
Whether you want to sprout seeds or pamper hothouse orchids, the Nova Mini Walk-In Greenhouse provides all the benefits of a larger greenhouse. It includes eight sturdy shelves and a roll-up door for ample ventilation and easy access to the plants.
In the place of traditional glass panels, the walk-in greenhouse features a durable polyethylene covering that diffuses harsh sunlight and protects tender plants from light freezes. Its strong frame, made from anti-rust steel tubing, is easy to set up and take down. The structure measures 57 inches long, 57 inches wide, and 77 inches high.
Get the Nova Mini greenhouse on Amazon.
The ShelterLogic Mini Grow House includes four adjustable wire shelves on a steel frame to accommodate plants of various heights. A clear PVC fabric cover, with tie-downs to hold it in place, protects seedlings and potted plants from cold temps. A roll-up zipper door panel provides ventilation and quick access.
This easy-to-assemble unit tops out at 57 inches of vertical space and takes up just 18 inches by 23 inches of ground or deck space.
Get the ShelterLogic grow house on Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., and The Home Depot.
For protecting an individual plant from late spring or early fall frosts, you’ll love the MINI LOP Mini Pop-Up Greenhouse. The structure stands just 31 inches tall when open and measures 27 inches in both width and depth. It comes with four steel spikes to secure it firmly to the ground, a clear PVC cover, and a zip-open window that offers ventilation on sunny days when the temperature rises. This greenhouse pops open with a single movement, and when you’re done, just fold it up. It stores flat in a garage or basement until you need to use it again.
Get the MINI LOP greenhouse on Amazon.
Get a jump on your summer gardening with the Nova Mini Walk-In. A durable polyethylene cover sits atop a powder-coated metal frame. The fabric provides soft, diffuse light for starting seedlings and growing tender plants. Six shelves, three on each side that each measure 11.22 inches by 28.34 inches, are just the right size to hold seedling flats or other plants.
This compact Nova Mini Walk-In Greenhouse measures 55.9 inches wide, 28.3 inches deep, and 75.6 inches high at its peak. The greenhouse assembles quickly without the need for tools and comes with its own storage bag.
Get the Nova 6-shelf greenhouse on Amazon.
Maximize your floor space with a vertical greenhouse like this one from Ohuhu. It squeezes four shelves into these compact dimensions: 27 by 120 by 62 inches. The ventilated mesh plastic cover ties to the frame and provides ideal air circulation. A zippered roll-up door offers easy access.
The sturdy metal frame with plastic connectors supports up to 23.4 pounds distributed across the four steel-wire shelves. Quick tool-free assembly and takedown make this model easy to pack up at the end of the growing season.
Get the Ohuhu mini greenhouse on Amazon.
With enough room for two full-size seedling flats or multiple potted plants, the Palm Springs 2-Tier Greenhouse holds more plants in a small package. It comes with a rust-resistant metal frame and two wire shelves that measure 19 by 27 inches. The flexible, clear PVC cover features a roll-up door for ventilation and access to the plants inside.
Quick to assemble, the Palm Springs compact greenhouse is a great solution for protecting tender plants. The small structure stands 37.5 inches at its peak, which makes it a nice fit for patio tables, small backyards, decks, or balconies.
Get the Palm Springs greenhouse on Amazon.
With a walk-in design and dimensions of 56 by 29 by 77 inches, this compact greenhouse kit provides gardeners easy access to a number of plants and seedlings.
A completely waterproof PVC cover sits atop a heavy-duty powder-coated tubular steel frame. Each shelf holds up to 17 pounds in plants, pots, and seedling trays. A mesh door and a PVC door give gardeners added control over ventilation. Each side features a mesh-screen window to let fresh air in and keep hungry critters out.
As an added bonus, this greenhouse kit includes 50 plant-identification tags and 30 zip ties to provide additional support to the frame.
Get the Quictent walk-in greenhouse kit on Amazon.
This low-lying horizontal greenhouse fits right over plants in the ground or pots sitting on a patio. Multiple zippered roll-up doors allow gardeners to adjust heat and ventilation and access plants with ease. The water-resistant translucent plastic cover offers protection from potentially harmful UV rays.
This greenhouse kit includes ropes to secure the heavy-duty powder-coated steel frame and stakes to anchor the greenhouse to the ground. This mini greenhouse measures 71 by 36 by 36 inches and works best for growing plants out of raised beds or the ground.
Get the EAGLE PEAK greenhouse kit on Amazon or Etsy.
For a reliable, compact greenhouse, look no further than the Nova Mini greenhouse. This walk-in unit is large enough to fit a variety of small and big plant varieties with its 8 steel shelves and rust-resistant construction. Alternatively, for a budget-friendly pick, the vertical ShelterLogic grow house comes with 4 adjustable wire and steel shelves for small plant varieties and comes with a roll-down zipper door panel and tie-downs to prevent the unit from moving.
We researched the most sought-after small greenhouses in their respective categories and discovered that the best models are determined by their design, size, materials, shelving and storage, and other special features included by top brands.
While searching for the best small greenhouses on the market, the most popular types among users were the walk-in, pop-up, vertical, and horizontal models with PCV plastic covers, steel frames, and wire shelving. Not only do these models provide ample durability as well as water and UV resistance, but most also come with 4 to 8 shelves with high weight capacities of up to 27 pounds.
While many of these small greenhouses can stand on their own without needing support, select brands provide rope and metal pegs to ensure the unit stays in place. Plus, most of these units have tool-free assembly and are small enough to fit on a porch, in a backyard, or even inside a home.
Mini greenhouses allow gardeners with limited outdoor space to protect their plants from cold weather and overexposure to the sun. The best compact greenhouses serve the same purposes as standard greenhouses within the confines of a small yard, patio, or even a balcony.
Standard greenhouses tend to be large and permanent, while mini greenhouses are often portable and offer easy setup, takedown, and storage. Small greenhouses:
You may still have some additional questions about the best compact greenhouses. This section aims to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about mini greenhouses to help you decide if purchasing one is right for you.
A mini greenhouse is used for protecting plants from harsh temperatures, wind, pests, and other critters. It’s a handy addition to smaller gardens or patios for extending the growing season and growing seeds, seedlings, or mature plants in cooler temperatures.
Greenhouses vary widely in size and can have footprints of less than 1 square foot for germinating seeds in a small indoor space.
Clear and opaque greenhouse siding provide different types of light. Clear siding gives plants access to direct sunlight, which is ideal for germinating seeds and starting seedlings. On the other hand, opaque siding provides diffuse light, which is the better choice for growing plants to maturity because it prevents hot spots.
For optimal quality and durability, look for a greenhouse with a plastic cover that’s at least 6 mils (or 0.006 inches) thick.
No, you can’t put a greenhouse in the shade. Both full-size and miniature greenhouses rely on sunlight, so they should be placed in a location that receives full sun—6 to 8 hours of sunlight—throughout the day.
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