As more and more people are setting up gardens not only for decorative flowers but also to grow their own fruits and vegetables, home greenhouses are becoming more common.
A small greenhouse kit is useful for anyone with a serious green thumb but not a lot of space, allowing you to germinate seeds, cultivate cuttings, and protect fragile plants in your patio, deck, or balcony.
Have a bit more space? Check our roundup review of the best garden windmills that can make an excellent addition to any backyard.
Best small greenhouse kits: our top picks
With the explosion in home gardening and self-sufficiency in recent years, you now have a wealth of options to choose from when it comes to small greenhouse kits. There is a huge range in terms of size, materials, and designs, so we’ve put together our top picks to help you choose the right small greenhouse for you.
1. AMERLIFE Portable Mini Greenhouse
This greenhouse is made of clear, UV-protected PVC that is 100% waterproof and so will protect your plants from the elements. These clear panels will also let light shine into your greenhouse while maintaining moisture and temperature levels, protecting your plants from frost or excessive heat.
You can dig the PVC cover into the ground to make the greenhouse even more air-tight and secure.
Once constructed, the greenhouse measures 71 x 36.3 x 36.3 inches, small enough to fit on most balconies. Its frame is made of solid, powder-coated steel making it robust and durable enough to stand up to the elements.
A big advantage of this Amerlife greenhouse is that it’s portable, so you can literally pick it up and move it around your garden to cover fixed plants that need protection. This portability also allows you to remove it from your balcony or courtyard temporarily if you need the space for something else.
This greenhouse also has a roll-up zippered door that can be secured open with an inbuilt ribbon. This allows you to easily water and look after your plants, as well as providing ventilation if needed, and zipper it securely shut to protect your plants.
What we like:
- Portable: Lightweight and easily movable, this mini greenhouse is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
- Roll-up zippered door: Allowing for easy access, ventilation, or maintaining a stable internal environment.
- Solid steel frame: For durability and standing up to the elements.
What we don’t like:
- PVC cover: Won’t let in as much light as glass or polycarbonate panels.
Although not as transparent as glass or polycarbonate, the clear PVC cover will let light in, and is a durable, affordable, and shatter-proof option.
Being lightweight but solid and durable, this greenhouse is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. This portable mini greenhouse is ideal for germinating seeds in balconies and small spaces, or moving around your yard to protect fixed plants.
2. Best Choice Products 4-Tier Mini Greenhouse
This mini greenhouse is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, so you can use it to grow seeds and cultivate plants in all seasons and weather conditions. Measuring just 40 x 20 x 63 inches, this greenhouse is small enough to fit on your balcony, back porch, or even in your sunroom!
The wide design means that despite its compact depth, it has plenty of space for your plants and seedlings. It is also one of the most affordable mini greenhouses you’ll find on the market.
This greenhouse has a PE cover that not only protects your plants from the wind and the rain, but will also maintain ideal humidity levels for germinating seeds. You can control the temperature and humidity inside the greenhouse with four zippers and touch fasteners, which also provide access to tend to your plants.
The greenhouse’s frame and shelves are made of powder-coated steel that is durable and resistant to rust and wear. Each shelf can support up to 20 pounds, and you can remove panels to create more space or fit the panels to accommodate more seedlings depending on your needs.
You’ll be able to easily assemble the greenhouse yourself: you just need to put together the frame and shelves with PVC joints and you’ll be ready to go!
What we like:
- Compact but spacious: This greenhouse is small enough to fit on a balcony, but wide enough to provide plenty of space.
- Versatile: With four zippers and several touch fasteners, you can close off the greenhouse to maintain a stable temperature and humidity, or open it for easy access or ventilation.
- Affordable: This greenhouse comes with a very reasonable price tag.
What we don’t like:
- Low build quality: Some online reviewers report that the shelves are not the highest quality and may twist slightly, but are still completely usable.
This greenhouse may not last you for years and years, but it provides good value for money. If you’re looking for a compact, affordable mini greenhouse to grow plants and seedling for a season or two, this kit is for you.
This versatile greenhouse is great for anyone who lives in an apartment, as it’s small enough to fit on a balcony while giving enough space for several plants and seedlings. Being cheap and portable, it would also be a good pick for students or anyone on a budget.
3. Giantex Portable Wooden Greenhouse
We particularly love the design of this portable greenhouse which makes it equally suitable for indoor or outdoor use as both a practical and decorative item. The stylish wooden frame will look beautiful, whether outside in your yard or inside your sunroom.
The wooden frame is nice and sturdy and online reviewers confirm that it is sturdy and well-made. The lid can be closed to control temperature and moisture, fixed open to let you admire your plants and flowers.
This greenhouse is deceptively large – at nearly 40 by 25 by 15 inches, you’ll be able to fit several potted plants or seed trays inside.
Being portable, it can easily be carried inside when you need more outdoor space, or moved around your yard, balcony, or patio as your needs change. Additionally, all parts are detachable, so you can take it apart for easy transport or storage, without any special tools.
Unlike some other mini greenhouses, this model doesn’t come with stakes or other ways of securing the greenhouse, and being lightweight it may be blown around in strong winds. Although online reviewers say the greenhouse is pretty easy to assemble, they also note that the instructions are not very clear.
What we like:
- Beautiful design: The stunning wooden frame makes this a nice addition to your indoor or outdoor space.
- Highly portable: The greenhouse is lightweight and can be easily deconstructed for transport.
- Versatile: Close the lid to create a greenhouse environment or leave it open for aesthetic purposes.
What we don’t like:
- Not very secure: This greenhouse doesn’t have any features to secure it, so may be blown around when it’s windy.
Although this lightweight Giantex greenhouse may not be ideal for windy weather, being highly portable you can easily move it to safety in extreme conditions. Overall, it is a well-made and sturdy mini greenhouse that is easy to assemble.
With a stunning design, it will make a lovely addition to your balcony, patio, or even to bring some greenery inside your home!
4. MINI LOP Small Pop-up Greenhouse
This mini greenhouse has a pop-up design that you can easily install in minutes. All you need to is take the greenhouse out of the bag, stand it up, and secure it with ground stakes (included in the pack).
It is made of clear PVC that will let the light in while keeping rain and wind out. This is supported by a light, alloy steel frame, making it lightweight and portable.
However, this model is not as stable as mini greenhouses with solid steel frames, and will not stand up to fierce conditions such as strong winds. Having said that, the ground stakes do provide some stability and support.
The greenhouse is not only lightweight, but also has an open bottom, making it fully portable. There is also a zipper window for easy access and ventilation.
What we like:
- Easy to install: You’ll be able to put up or pack away this greenhouse in a matter of minutes.
- Compact: This little greenhouse will fit in small spaces either indoors or outdoors.
- Portable: Being small and lightweight, you can easily move this greenhouse around according to your needs.
What we don’t like:
- A little flimsy: This is not the most durable or stable mini greenhouse, and may not cope with strong winds.
Although not the hardiest or most stable mini greenhouse on the market, this is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a greenhouse they can store between uses.
Along with being easy to install, the pop-up design means that you can disassemble this greenhouse and fold it up in a matter of minutes. This means you can put it up when needed, and then stash it away when you’re not using it.
5. Zenport Balcony Mini Greenhouse
Being just one foot high, this is a compact greenhouse designed for growing seedlings in a small space. You can remove the wire shelf to fit taller plants, but you may find the space limited depending on how many plants you want to grow.
The cover is made of transparent plastic that will let the light in to nourish your plants. At the same, the cover is waterproof to protect small, vulnerable plants from the elements.
The frame is powder-coated steel for extra strength and durability. We particularly like that it is powder-coated in deep, natural green.
This greenhouse is also very affordable, being one of the cheapest models you’ll find on the market.
What we like:
- Attractive design: Small and tidy, with a pleasant green finish.
- Durable: With a steel frame, this mini greenhouse can stand up to the elements as well as rough treatment.
- Affordable: With a low price tag, you’ll love this greenhouse no matter your budget.
What we don’t like:
- Limited space: This greenhouse will only fit smaller plants, though you can accommodate taller plants by removing the shelf.
You’ll be able to assemble this greenhouse and start using it in just a few minutes. Although not the largest mini-greenhouse, it is affordable, compact, and a great option for anyone looking to grow a small number of seedlings.
6. VIVOSUN Mini Lean-to Greenhouse
A more spacious design at 39.3 x 78.7 x 82.6 inches, this mini greenhouse can fit plants on three tiers of shelves or larger shrubs or climbers. It has a solid metal frame that provides a high level of stability when staked and braced against a backing wall.
The greenhouse has a PE cover that will let sunlight through while blocking UV rays that can damage young plants.
A door on one side gives you access to tend to your plants and provides ventilation when needed, or can be zippered closed to maintain optimum temperature and humidity.
The lean-to design makes it very stable and able to stand up to the elements, including strong winds. On the downside, this does somewhat limit where you can put your greenhouse, and means it is not really portable.
What we like:
- Stable lean-to design: Stake this greenhouse to a backing wall for a high level of stability.
- Plenty of space: This walk-in greenhouse can fit a large number of seedlings and/or accommodate larger plants.
- PE cover with side door: To maintain temperature and humidity levels, with a side door for access and ventilation.
What we don’t like:
- Not portable: This greenhouse is not easily moved, so you’re best choosing a spot and leaving it there.
This mini-greenhouse includes a shelf unit for holding pots or seed trays, so you’ll have everything you need to get started. It’s not suitable for indoor or very small spaces, but is a great option for anyone looking to cultivate a larger number of plants on a balcony, patio, or in a small yard where you can brace it against a wall.
7. Nova Microdermabrasion Mini Walk-in Greenhouse
This is another model which is at the roomier end of the scale for mini greenhouses. This walk-in greenhouse measures 57 x 57 x77 inches and has space for two sets of three-tier shelves, so plenty of room to grow stacks of seeds or lots of cuttings.
It has a sturdy, powder-coated metal frame with a PE cover to protect your plants from the elements. The PE cover is clear and 100% waterproof, so will keep frost and pest at bay while letting sunlight shine in.
Although technically an indoor or outdoor greenhouse, it is probably best suited to outside spaces, given its relatively-large dimensions and bottomless design. The latter also makes for easy drainage as you can simply let water drain through the bottom.
It is too large for very small spaces like narrow balconies, but would fit well in a patio, deck, or small yard.
What we like:
- Spacious: This greenhouse is large enough to hold a large number of plants and seedlings.
- User-friendly design: Despite it’s spacious size, it’s easy to assemble and walk-in design makes it easy to access with no fuss.
- Stable: With a solid-metal frame and robes and anchors for securing it to the ground, this greenhouse will stand up well in all conditions.
What we don’t like:
- Shelves could be stronger: Some users have reported that the included shelves are flimsier than they would like.
Although some online reviewers complained that the shelves are flimsy, they also noted that this can be rectified by securing them with zip ties.
Along with its solid metal frame, this greenhouse comes with ropes and anchors for added stability. There is also a zippered, roll-up door for easy access and ventilation. It’s also easy to install: you’ll be able to put it up yourself with no tools needed!
Things to consider before you buy a mini greenhouse kit
Greenhouses are essential for growing seedling from seeds, propagating new plants and looking after more delicate plants during the colder months. They can also protect your plants from seasonal infestations such as caterpillars and spider mites.
Small greenhouses are designed to fit in small yards, patios, decks, or even balconies, but there are certain choices you need to make and things to look for when buying one of these kits.
Material
Greenhouses are traditionally made from glass, as this is a durable, long-lasting material that allows plenty of light to come in. The main downside of glass is that it can break or shatter, making toughened glass or plastic a safer option.
- Plastic is durable and can transmit almost as much light as glass. However, plastic can also be damaging to the environment, as a non-renewable resource, as well as being potentially harmful to the environment during production, as well as being non-biodegradable once disposed of.
- Polycarbonate panels are a good option, as they are lighter than glass, less expensive, and shatter-proof. However, polycarbonate panels don’t let as much light in as glass, and being malleable, may come out of the greenhouse frame in strong winds.
- Another option is a greenhouse that has PVC or PE covers. These are generally the most affordable type of greenhouse as well as being lightweight, but the durability of the plastic can vary greatly depending on quality. The plastic covers can also vary significantly in terms of how much light they let through, and therefore how effective they are for a greenhouse. These types of greenhouse typically wear out more quickly than other types of greenhouses, though you can often replace the plastic covers to extend the life of your greenhouse if the covers break.
In choosing the material you want your greenhouse to be made from you should balance your requirements with environmental considerations. For example, a glass or polycarbonate greenhouse might not be suitable for a balcony garden.
Though plastic is far from ideal as a material choice, there are unfortunately no real alternatives available at the moment. A plastic mini greenhouse could be seen as a necessary evil to allow you to be more eco-conscious by growing your own vegetables, for example.
Design
There are a range of different small greenhouse kit designs available and it is important to choose the right design for your space as well as your needs.
- One popular design is lean-to greenhouse kits. These are installed against one of the outside walls of your house as a space-saver, and also allowing you to easily connect the greenhouse to your electricity and water supply.
- There are also pop-up greenhouse kits that can be easily assembled or “popped up” in minutes. This collapsible design can also be folded up and stored when you’re not using it to save on space.
Some greenhouses have adjustable vents or roll-up windows that allow for ventilation, letting you cool the greenhouse in hot weather and prevent plants from wilting. The most stable mini greenhouses have solid metal frames.
It is also important to consider whether the greenhouse kit is complex or simple to assemble. Is it something you can do yourself, and if so how long will it take and will you need special tools?
Available space
If you’re looking for a mini greenhouse kit, space is probably an issue for you. Before you make a final decision, you need to consider how much space you have and what size greenhouse you can realistically fit in your space.
Mini greenhouses are designed to fit into small spaces such as balconies and small terraces. Your first consideration will be how big your space is, the maximum dimensions you can accommodate.
On the other hand, you also need to consider how big you need your greenhouse to be: how many plants do you want to fit inside? If you only need room for a few pots, you can save on space and buy a smaller kit.
Of course, you may not want the greenhouse to take up your entire balcony or patio, so you’ll need to balance your needs with the space you have available to choose the right greenhouse size.
Even if you have no outside space at all, you may still be able to have your own greenhouse for raising seeds and propagating plants. For example, you could put a small greenhouse in any room that gets plenty of light.
At the same time, if indoor space is also a problem, check our roundup review of the best microgreen kits. These kits allow growing nutritious ingredients on your windowsill and some don’t even require any soil.
End notes
A small greenhouse kit will let you grow seeds, cuttings, and plants in all weathers and conditions on your deck, patio, or balcony. Many of these mini greenhouses can be used outdoors or indoors and can even be moved around or packed away to help you maximize space.
With a diverse range of sizes and designs, you’re sure to find a small greenhouse kit that meets your needs and fits your space at the same time!
