Looking to lengthen your growing season but don’t have room for a full-sized greenhouse? A small greenhouse may be perfect for you!
Mini greenhouses are a great option for gardeners with a smaller outdoor space. It’s also ideal for those who aren’t ready for the upkeep of a larger greenhouse and for folks who are new to gardening in general.
Not sure what type of small greenhouse you’re looking for? Keep reading to learn about our top five picks for the best small greenhouse you can buy!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Nova Four-Tier Mini Greenhouse
Budget Premium:
The Garden Hotspot Mini Greenhouse
Best Bang for Your Buck:
Home-Complete 4-Tier Outdoor Mini Greenhouse
Best Overall
Nova 4-Tier Mini Greenhouse
Our top choice for the best small greenhouse is the Four-Tier Mini Greenhouse from Nova. What makes this product our winner for the best small greenhouse is that it’s spacious, portable, and can be assembled tool-free.
This greenhouse has four shelves that measure 2′ long and 1.4′ wide, and each shelf can support up to 22 lbs.; that’s nearly 90 lbs. of capacity in total! To keep it sturdy, each shelf features a patented fixed clip. To boot, the greenhouse is also over 5′ tall!
This top-favorite best small greenhouse is constructed with rust-proof metal tubes with an elector coating for extra toughness. The cover is made from premium, eco-friendly polyethylene that’s non-toxic, corrosion-resistant, resistant to low temperatures, waterproof, and ultraviolet-proof. And it doesn’t compromise on light transmission!
It also takes only 10 minutes to assemble–and can be easily assembled and disassembled without tools!
Pros
- Tool-free assembly and disassembly
- Shelves can be adjusted to accommodate your needs and the size of your plants
- Large shelving space to house numerous plants
Cons
- Needs additional security in locations with heavier wind and rainfall; keep out of direct winds
- Customers say that it needs additional support on the bottom to ground the frame
Best Premium
The Garden Hotspot Mini Greenhouse
The Garden Hotspot Mini Greenhouse is handmade with care, but it also has a handful of other features that make it one of the best small greenhouses.
If aesthetic is something that’s higher on your list of characteristics to look for, then this greenhouse surely won’t disappoint. It’s made with high-quality pinewood and features transparent polycarbonate glazing boards. It’s darling to look at, though if you’d like, you can stain the wood to match your ambiance.
Another reason why it’s one of the best small greenhouses is because of its functionality. This greenhouse measures 3.6′ long, 2.4′ wide and 2′ tall, and it’s easily portable. It’s also quite sturdy–customers say that it exceeds expectations–and can sustain the weight of a good amount of plants. It’s also quick to assemble and comes with easy-to-follow instructions.
This greenhouse also has an upper, openable top and two doors, which make it easy to check on your plants. A built-in latch conveniently keeps the top secure, even when it’s open.
Pros
- Very stable
- Can hold a large number of plants
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons
- Higher price point
- Wood can deteriorate over time; must use a wood sealer every few years
Best Bang For Your Buck
Home-Complete 4-Tier Outdoor Mini Greenhouse
The 4-Tier Outdoor Mini Greenhouse from Home-Complete isn’t the cheapest option out there, but it’s certainly among the most budget-friendly, best small greenhouses there are. This product has four shelves that measure 2.25′ long with 1.16′ of height space between them. Generously sized, each shelf holds up to 24 lbs., totally nearly nearly 100 lbs. worth of growing room. It also tops out at over 5′ tall.
With ample space for trays, pots and planters for small- to mid-sized plants, the frame itself remains lightweight. The frame is made from tubular steel and features a PVC cover with the option to select a green or clear cover. Both the frame and the shelves are conveniently simple to put together without the need for tools. It also has a roll-up door to allow easy access to plants.
Another reason why this is one of the best small greenhouses is because it’s seamlessly portable. The unit is equipped with locking wheels that can be removed, so you can wheel it elsewhere or lock it in place.
Pros
- Easy assembly; no tools required
- Four shelves can collectively support nearly 100 lbs.
Cons
- Some customers say shelves are flimsy and require additional zip-ties to secure them in place
- Not suitable for withstanding high winds and rain
- Must handle plastic cover with care; may be prone to rips and tears
Best Multi-Use
Quictent Galvanized Raised Garden Bed Mini Greenhouse
When it comes to gardening, you never know what you might need until the opportunity presents itself. The Quictent Galvanized Raised Garden Bed Mini Greenhouse is one of the best small greenhouses, because it can be adjusted to accommodate the user (and their plants) over time.
You can use this small greenhouse as a garden bed, a greenhouse, or a garden bed with a greenhouse. It comes with a raised garden bed with a cover, a metal planter box kit with two large screen windows, and a single pair of gloves. It’s made of extra-thick, galvanized metal, which is durable and weather-resistant, and its zippered windows provide ventilation while keeping out birds and bugs.
The raised plant bed measures 6′ long, 3′ wide and 1′ tall, and can hold about 18 cubic feet of soil. Perhaps best of all, this product comes equipped with two warranties and a lifetime replacement option. There’s a five-year warranty for the raised garden bed, a one-year warranty for the greenhouse cover, and a lifetime replacement for the greenhouse’s frame connectors. As one of our picks for the best small greenhouse, you can’t go wrong here!
Pros
- Multi-use; functions as a garden bed, a greenhouse, or a garden bed with a greenhouse
- Comes with two warranties and a lifetime replacement on frame connectors
Cons
- Customers say that it comes with vague assembly instructions
Best Ultra Mini
Sunnydaze Decor 2-Tier Mini Greenhouse
Rounding out our list of best small greenhouses is the 2-Tier Mini Greenhouse from Sunnydaze Decor. A mini option compared to those listed above, this smaller greenhouse is the perfect patio greenhouse.
This greenhouse has two shelves that measure 2′ wide and 1.4′ deep, and each has a weight capacity of 40 lbs. The bottom shelf sits two inches from the ground and the top shelf is 1.25′ from the ground with a foot between each shelf. It’s recommended that you store the heaviest plants and planters on the bottom shelf.
Weighing only five lbs., this greenhouse is extremely portable. It’s made from a durable iron tube frame with steel wire shelves, and its polyethylene covering is coated with a UV-ray-protective finish. Its durable cover protects plants from inclement weather, but it’s also transparent enough so that light can filter through.
Use the roll-up door to easily access plants and control airflow. You can also tie up the door to keep it open, and untie and zip the sides to keep it closed. If you should have any trouble, this product carries a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty
- On the pricier side for its size
Cons
- Some customers say it’s smaller than it appears online
Small Greenhouse Buyer’s Guide
Characteristics To Look For
When selecting the best small greenhouse for your outdoor living space, you’ll notice that some options have more bells and whistles than others. However, you’ll want to focus on a few key details that will make a difference in your growing experience.
Here are four features you should look for.
Size
When it comes to buying a small greenhouse, size matters. After all, if you can’t fit your plants inside of it, then you won’t get much use out of your greenhouse.
Even with small greenhouses, there are many options available, from two-, three, and four-tier shelving, to those that are garden-bed-specific. Think about the way you intend to use it and determine the size from there. If you aren’t sure, it can help to choose a slightly bigger option, as you can always use it to store garden tools as well.
Material
One of the main details that separate a best small greenhouse from another market option, is the material it’s made of. Keep in mind, the material that works for you will depend on the environment where you live. If you live somewhere that sees heavy winds, rainfall, and sleet, then you’ll need a heavier-duty frame and lining.
Regardless of where you live, however, it’s important to look for something sturdy. Shy away from choosing a small greenhouse that’s made from plastic. It’s not durable and tends to pose problems, especially when left outdoors. A sturdier greenhouse should be able to support the plants inside without issues. Be sure to check the weight limit on the product you choose; each product is different.
Small greenhouses may be made from PVC pipe, wood, or steel frames. PVC pipe is ideal for smaller designs, though it’s best used when reinforced by metal supports. Wood is also sturdy, but you’ll need to apply a wood-sealer every few years to prevent rot. Steel is the strongest framing material used, though it’s mainly used to construct larger greenhouses.
Ventilation
A greenhouse should maintain a consistent temperature inside while shielding plants from heat, cold, weather, insects, animals, and other threats in the environment. However, the best small greenhouses also provide adequate ventilation that allows your plants to breathe.
A greenhouse that’s properly ventilated will also save you time and effort on having to check your plants daily throughout the growing season. Look for greenhouses that have roof or side vents, or those with options to roll-up a door to allow for airflow.
Accessibility
Accessibility is more of a factor with larger greenhouses, but it’s still important to consider. Because you’re using the greenhouse to store your plants, you’ll also need to tend to them. It should be easy and stress-free to reach your plants, transfer them in and out of the greenhouse, and adjust them while inside. The frame and material should not interfere with or limit this process, and if it does, it may be time for a different greenhouse!
Small Greenhouse Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best position to place a small greenhouse?
The best position to situate your small greenhouse is facing either east or west. Situating the greenhouse this way will provide plants with direct sunlight for part of the day, and shade for the rest.
How effective are small greenhouses?
Small greenhouses are a very effective choice if you need extra room to house your plants, but you don’t have adequate space indoors. You can use them at any time of the year to shelter plants from the elements. Depending on where you live, the type of plants you are growing, and the size of your greenhouse, you can also equip them with heaters, coolers, or additional equipment to support your needs.
Wrapping Up Best Small Greenhouses for Your Yard
Now that you’ve checked out our selection of the best small greenhouses, it’s time to start working on your garden! However, there are a few more supplies that you’ll need to get started, aside from the greenhouse.
Check out our page on Garden Tools to learn more! Want more garden content? Visit our gardening page for in-depth guides, explainer posts, and great ideas!