Starting seeds indoors is one of the best ways to start a garden. Picking out seeds and watching them sprout is so much fun. But before you get to the fun part of watching seeds sprout, you need a place to put all those seed trays!
If you’re looking for a seed starting rack to hold all your seedlings, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve compiled a list of the best seed starting racks to take all the guesswork out and make things easy for you.
Whether you’re looking for something big, small, or in between, this list has you covered.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Amazon Basics 3-Shelf Heavy Duty Storage Shelf
Seed Starting Rack With Grow Lights
Burpee Home Professional Two-Tier Shelf With Grow Light
Mini Greenhouse Seed Starting Rack:
Ohuhu Mini Greenhouse 4-Tier Rack
Best Overall
Amazon Basics 3-Shelf Heavy Duty Storage Shelf
For an affordable seed starting rack, check out this heavy-duty storage shelf from amazon. This medium-sized shelving unit has three shelves to give you maximum space for your seed starting station without taking up valuable floor space.
There are plenty of places to clip on grow lights, and the open design of the shelf unit lets in plenty of sunlight.
Seed trays fit perfectly on the shelves, and the height is adjustable, so you can create more or less space between shelves where you need it.
You can buy a 3, 4, or 5-shelf version of this rack depending on how many trays you are starting.
Product Features
The wire shelving unit measures 13.4″D x 23.2″W x 30″H. It’s constructed from heavy-duty steel with a shiny chrome finish.
You can purchase the system with wheels or without, depending on your preference.
The shelves are adjustable in one-inch increments. Keep them close when starting seeds in seedling trays, or spread them out for larger, taller plants.
Pros
- Adjustable shelves
- Very sturdy
- Great price
Cons
- The clips that hold the shelves in place can be tricky to use
- The instructions that come with the shelf are confusing
Best With Grow Lights
Burpee Home Professional Two-Tier Shelf With Grow Light
The Burpee two-tier shelf with grow lights is a great all-in-one option. The set includes two sturdy shelves for starting seeds and two adjustable grow lights, so you don’t have to purchase those separately.
The shelf is lightweight and easy to set up. The compact size allows you to maximize growing space without taking up a lot of room in your house.
The price tag is somewhat high, but considering you get two grow lights with it, it’s pretty reasonable.
Product Features
The seed starting rack measures 40″ high x 27″ wide x 12″ deep. The shelves are 22″ wide and 11″ deep. A standard-sized 10×20 seedling tray fits perfectly on each shelf.
Each grow light has two 20-watt LED lightbulbs that are adjustable and long-lasting. The shelf is made from sturdy aluminum for durability and longevity.
Pros
- Compact and sturdy
- Includes two grow lights
- It’s easy to adjust the height of the lights as plants grow
Cons
- Expensive
- Two shelves may not be enough space if you plan to start a lot of seeds
Best Mini Greenhouse
Ohuhu Mini Greenhouse 4-Tier Rack
This indoor/outdoor seed starting rack has a plastic greenhouse cover. The greenhouse cover is the perfect way to increase humidity and maintain a warm temperature for your plants. The carry bag makes it easy to store the unit when you’re done for the season.
The front of the greenhouse cover rolls up, giving you easy access for watering and other seedling care tasks.
The kit includes four shelves to maximize your growing space without taking up a lot of room. The entire system is very well made and gives you great value for the price
Product Features
The unit measures 27″ x 20″ x 62″. It’s constructed from durable yet lightweight steel tubes.
Use the rack with or without the greenhouse cover. The cover is clear to let in plenty of sunlight for your plants. The shelves and tubes are rust-resistant, and the polyethylene greenhouse cover is waterproof.
The seed starting rack folds up small and fits into the carry bag for easy storage when you’re not using it.
Pros
- No tools required for setup
- Good for both indoor and outdoor use
- Includes clips for added shelf stability
Cons
- No stakes included for outdoor use. Without something to hold it down, a windy day could knock the system over.
- Attaching grow lights or using a heat mat is more complicated with this system
SafeRacks 6-Tier Storage Shelves
The SafeRacks storage shelf ranks as number two on our list of the best seed starting racks. It’s a multipurpose product that works great as a seed starting shelf.
The open design lets light into all areas of the shelf, making it the perfect choice if you have a large sunny window to put it in front of. If you’re using a grow light, there are plenty of places to easily attach lights with carabiners or clips.
Six shelves give you a ton of room to start multiple seeds at once. If you don’t need that much room for your plants, use the bottom shelves to store supplies like your watering can, seed starting mix, or extra containers.
Product Features
This particular model measures 18″x48″x72″ with six tiers. The shelf comes in several different sizes so you can pick the one that works for your space.
It’s constructed from industrial-strength steel with a chrome powder coating.
The shelf can hold up to 450 pounds, so it works great for large plants or storing heavy supplies.
Pros
- It’s easy to attach grow lights with carabiners or clips
- Wheels make it easy to move the shelf around
- Large size holds a lot of plants
Pros
- It’s easy to attach grow lights with carabiners or clips
- Wheels make it easy to move the shelf around
- Large size holds a lot of plants
Bstrip Plant Shelf with Grow Lights
If you want to know the best seed starting rack for someone who needs a lot of space for their plants, look at the Bstrip grow light shelf.
This large shelving unit has a whopping eight shelves for setting plants on. It comes with 12 LED lights, each with reflectors to maximize the energy your plants receive from the light source.
The entire unit is adjustable and customizable. Add more shelves to hold multiple seed trays or remove a shelf to make space for taller plants. The wheels on the bottom make it easy to move the shelf around.
Product Features
The height of the shelves is fully adjustable. Mats are included to line the shelves, which helps prevent water from dripping down onto the lights below.
12, 24-watt LED grow lights are included. A 48″ strip of velcro is also included to help contain the power cords for the lights. The lights connect together and plug into the wall via two separate power cords.
Pros
- If you’re looking for a large system, this is a fantastic option
- Includes grow lights and hanging hardware
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Takes a long time to put together
- Not everyone wants or needs a system this large
Amerlife Mini Walk-in Greenhouse
If you like the idea of a greenhouse, but you want something larger, check out the Amerlife mini walk-in greenhouse.
This system has four shelves plus room on the bottom for an extra tier. Two shelves are on each side, with space between them for you to walk inside the greenhouse.
The system can be used with or without the greenhouse cover, indoors or outdoors, making it easy to adapt to your space and needs.
Product Features
The system measures 77”x56”x29”. Each shelf measures 12.6″ x 28.4″.
The cover includes a roll-up door that zips closed to keep out wind, rain, and bugs.
Long edges on the cover allow you to weigh the greenhouse down with rocks or other weights for extra stability. Stakes and ropes are also included to brace the system for wind outside.
Pros
- Easy to put together and take apart
- Plenty of space to work
- Stakes and ropes are included to tie it down when using outdoors
Cons
- Large walk-in system takes up a lot of space indoors
- Wire shelves only hold up to 33 pounds of weight. That’s enough for seeds in seedling trays but not for large plants.
Seed Starting Rack Buyer’s Guide
How to Choose the Best Seed Starting Rack
When deciding on a rack to start seeds, here are some things to consider.
1. How much space do you have?
2. How many plants do you want to grow?
3. What type of light are you planning to use? i.e., grow lights or a sunny window?
Answering the first two will help you decide how big your seed starting rack should be. Knowing what light you plan to use helps you decide if grow lights are necessary.
How to Use Seed Starting Racks
You can use racks for starting seeds, displaying full-grown plants, or anything in between. Indoor gardening has many benefits, and you don’t have to stop with indoor seed sowing.
Racks are also good for storing supplies. With multiple shelves, you can store supplies like extra containers and potting mix on the bottom shelves with seed trays and plants on the upper shelves.
Tips for Starting Seeds Indoors
Make sure your plants get plenty of light. If you don’t have a window that provides enough light, a grow light is a must.
Keep the seedlings moist but not soggy. Proper watering prevents a lot of problems!
Pot up at the right time. If you’re not moving them straight out to the garden, it’s important to move seedlings into larger containers, so they have plenty of room to grow.
To see what else you need to get started for starting seeds, check out How to Build an Indoor Seed Starting Setup.
Seed Starting Rack Frequently Asked Questions
How long should seedlings stay in seed starting trays?
It varies depending on the plant. Some grow quicker than others, so there isn’t a hard and fast rule. Most plants are ready to move into a larger container once they grow their first set of true leaves. For more information, check out our blog pos, When to Pot up Seedlings
What type of container is best to start seeds in?
Seed starting trays, small garden pots, compostable pots, plugs, or even egg cartons are all good options. When it comes to growing healthy seedlings, the method is more important than the container. If you’re caring for your seedlings properly and pot them up at the right time, they’ll do well in whatever container you choose.
What kind of light is best for seedlings?
LED grow lights are the top choice for growing seedlings indoors. LED lights provide full spectrum light, they’re energy-efficient, and they last a very long time. Fluorescent lights also work though they’re less efficient, don’t last as long, and get hotter than LEDs.
Time to Get a Seed Starting Rack
Starting plants from seeds is a labor of love with many rewards! With a good seed starting rack, you’ll be well on your way to getting started. For ease and simplicity, the Burpee two-tier shelf with grow lights is a great choice.
For information on all things seed starting, don’t miss the Seed Starting page on our website. The page is full of resources to help you get your garden started and keep your plants thriving.