Here’s your guide to the best mini greenhouse that will create optimal conditions for your greenery year-round. They come in various functional and space-efficient styles (everything from a tabletop setup to a sizable walk-in greenhouse) that can be set up indoors or outdoors. Whether you choose to bring in vegetables, flowers, herbs, or greenery, a greenhouse lets you continue to enjoy the beauty and harvest long after the natural season in your area has ended. Bloomscape’s gardening expert, Lindsay Pangborn, explains, “Mini greenhouses are a smaller version of cold-frame houses, used to extend the growing season. Plants are able to grow and bloom during earlier periods of the spring and can continue to do so even when the weather gets chillier in the fall.” Mini greenhouses can also be helpful for germinating seeds in spring, Angelo Kelvakis, master horticulturist at Rise Gardens, explains. Their warm, moist environment can help tiny seedlings grow strong before it gets warm enough to plant them outside. Plus, if you’re looking to turn your home into a plant paradise, Ayelet Faerman of Verdant Lyfe adds, “Small greenhouses are a great way to enhance your decor and bring plants inside while giving them optimal living conditions.” Often, the greenhouse is constructed of glass or plastic, with a seal that can be easily opened and closed. When sealed, it allows sunlight or artificial light to trap in heat and humidity for optimal growing conditions. Kelvakis explains, “This environment promotes plant growth by elevating the temperature and humidity and keeps them in a constant range, which is very important for early-stage growth.” Whether it’s a corner of your backyard or a corner of your kitchen (the perfect spot for herbs!), a mini greenhouse can reside wherever you have space. It works with the home you have rather than the garden you dream of (someday!). A glass structure should have rubber seals and vents in addition to high-quality hinges to ensure a properly insulated environment. A sliding door allows easy access for walk-in planting, while the adjustable window provides ventilation. Rotate your plants out with the season, and take advantage of the locking wheels to move the greenhouse around, depending on light needs throughout the day. With a PVC cover, it also protects your plants, along with creating an ideal climate for their needs. An added bonus: No tools are required to assemble this all-season indoor-outdoor greenhouse! Once the weather warms up, you can easily move it outside to allow your plants to continue to grow, though you may need to secure it so it doesn’t get disturbed by the wind. At over 5 feet tall, it holds a large number of plants and is great on patios, decks, and more. The greenhouse requires no tools to set up or break down, so you can bring it out as the chill sets in each winter to keep your plants safe, then store it again when the temperature rises. Reviewers do note that it is not strong enough to stand up to a heavy breeze, so you’ll want to find a way to secure it outdoors. It easily fits on a kitchen counter, giving you room to have on-demand fresh herbs year-round. Reviewers note that it’s also a nice option for protecting plants from curious pets, though the metal frame is a bit of a pain to put together. Great for gardeners who plan on growing a variety of plants, the model has six seed tray shelves, middle staging, and a two-tier watering system. Although pricier, the durable design is bound to last for years. Faerman adds that she loves seeing her tropical plants come alive year-round in a greenhouse.
