Home & Garden Garden The 9 Best Greenhouses of 2023 Extend the growing season—or better yet, garden all year—with a greenhouse. By Stacy Tornio Stacy Tornio Writer University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University of Oklahoma Stacy Tornio has authored more than 15 books about animals, nature, and gardening. She is a master gardener and master naturalist. Learn about our editorial process Updated January 24, 2023 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Home & Garden Planting Guides Indoor Gardening Urban Farms Insects We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Getty Your growing season doesn’t have to end at with first cold days of fall. When you add a greenhouse to your indoor or outdoor space, you can extend the productivity of your garden by months. In some regions, you might even be able to garden year-round. You don't need a huge space or a lot of money to have your own greenhouse, because there are so many options on the market. As you start your search for a greenhouse, the first thing you’ll want to consider is your space. No matter the size you have to work with, the lighting and location will both have a huge say in what kind of setup you need. This will also help you know what other equipment or supplies you’ll need in order to be successful. If you’re particularly handy, you might consider building your own. For instance, this geothermal greenhouse has been extremely popular over the years, and the builder did it for less than $300! You can also look into the walipini option or a hoop house. Whether you decide to build on your own or buy something to get you started, you’re going to love having a greenhouse. Not only will it lighten those darker months, but you’ll have bright plants and maybe even delicious food to enjoy, too. Here are Treehugger's picks for the best greenhouses: The Rundown Best Overall: Palram Snap & Grow Greenhouse at Walmart Jump to Review Best Portable: KOKSRY Indoor and Outdoor Greenhouse at Amazon Jump to Review Best For Small Spaces: Mini Pop Greenhouse at Amazon Jump to Review Best Cold Frame: Exaco Trading Biostar 1500 Cold Frame at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Gardener's Supply Company Grow House Greenhouse at Gardeners.com Jump to Review Best Greenhouse Kit: Metaplant Mini Greenhouse at Amazon Jump to Review Best Cabinet: MCombo Wooden Cold Frame Greenhouse at Walmart Jump to Review Terrain Brass Greenhouse at Shopterrain.com Jump to Review Best DIY Plans: Rob Terry 8' x 12' Greenhouse Plans at Etsy Jump to Review Best Overall Palram Snap & Grow Greenhouse 5 Wayfair View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Wayfair You can have a greenhouse in an afternoon with new, modern snap-and-go designs. There are a few options out there, but our top choice is this one with a SmartLock connector system. It's available in many different sizes, so you're likely to find one that suited for your space. The frame comes in pieces and then quickly locks into place, one section at a time. This design even comes with the door and ventilation windows nearly fully assembled so you can quickly put them in place. The frame is a heavy duty aluminum and the panels are from polycarbonate, so you don’t have to worry about glass breaking or cracking. Just pick a sunny location for this one, and you’ll be ready to grow for years. Price at time of publish: $1,570 for 98 x 100 inch base size Dimensions: 98 inches W x 100 inches D x 102 inches H | Weight: 148 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes Best Portable KOKSRY Indoor and Outdoor Greenhouse 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon The pipe frame of this house is made from steel, while the structure itself uses environment-friendly polyethylene (PE)—a material that is resistant to cold temps. KOKSRY's greenhouse is one of the most affordable options for its large size, sitting at 56 inches wide x 30 inches deep x 76 inches tall. It should go up quick and easy, because you don’t need any tools for assembly. It's easy to move it around to anywhere in your home or yard. This greenhouse can be used to overwinter plants, grow new ones, or for seedlings. It’s even roomy enough to do all three! Price at time of publish: $67 Dimensions: 56 inches W x 30 inches D x 76 inches H | Weight: 14 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes Best For Small Spaces Mini Pop Greenhouse 4.5 Amazon View On Amazon You only need about a 3-foot square space for the Mini Pop Greenhouse. Installation only takes seconds because all you have to do is pop it up, and it’s ready to go. It comes with four steel ground tacks if you want to secure it to a garden bed, and features a zippered window that can be opened during warmer days and closed at night. This greenhouse works well for that tender plant that needs extra protection in winter, or you can grow something completely new. When you’re done using this greenhouse for the season, it folds flat for easy storage. This is perfect both inside or out, all you need is a sunny spot. Price at time of publish: $25 Dimensions: 27 inches W x 27 inches D x 31 inches H | Weight: 1.9 pounds | Assembly Required: No Best Cold Frame Exaco Trading Biostar 1500 Cold Frame 4.9 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Burpee.com This cold frame is designed to withstand up to 6 feet of snow with extra insulation, so it’s truly an option for any climate. Each of the three separate windows can be opened individually for ventilation, and one has an automated opener. The unit measures 50 x 23 x 16 inches, and the transparent panels are UV-resistant so they shouldn't yellow. It breaks down to store flat, so you can easily put it away when you don't need it. Assembly does require some drilling. Price at time of publish: $411 Dimensions: 32 inches W x 59 inches L x 4 inches H | Weight: 23 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes The 9 Best Cold Frames, According to a Master Gardener Best Splurge Gardener's Supply Company Grow House Greenhouse Gardener's Supply Company View On Gardeners.com It’s a cold frame, a raised bed, and a mini greenhouse all in one. With this design, you really can garden year-round. Included in this kit are cedar planks (or you can choose cypress), a polycarbonate and aluminum frame, and a fabric liner. Because of the slatted floor design, you’ll naturally have good drainage and air circulation. The included cold frame closing top will allow you to extend your growing season earlier and later. Then you could also add a pop out greenhouse top for even more space. Price at time of publish: $679 Dimensions: 24 inches W x 96 inches L x 29 inches H | Weight: Varies | Assembly Required: Yes Best Greenhouse Kit Metaplant Mini Greenhouse with Grow Light Amazon View On Amazon You’ll have everything you need with this mini greenhouse kit, including built-in phyto-lights and an ultra-transparent cover. It’s the perfect three-story shelf for indoor plants or for starting seeds indoors. It might not be the top year-round option for plants outside, but it can do wonders for helping you keep those plants thriving indoors. Keep in mind you can also create a similar setup on your own by investing in some good grow lights. With this, you’ll have fun experimenting with herbs, starting seeds, and more. Price at time of publish: $179 Dimensions: 13 inches W x 25 inches L x 56 inches H | Weight: 12.5 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes Best Cabinet MCombo Wooden Cold Frame Greenhouse 0760 Courtesy of Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Mcombo.com The MCombo Wooden Cold Frame has benefits as a walk-in style greenhouse, but stands on a smaller footprint and opens from the front for convenient and easy access. It’s made from natural fir and is both waterproof and has UV protection. It features a self that can be adjusted to fit different plant heights. It would make a beautiful addition to a sunroom, patio, or deck, or can be placed in a sunny spot outside. MCombo offers a 1-year warranty for this greenhouse. Price at time of publish: $160 Dimensions: 29.9 inches L x 18.2 inches W x 43.3 inches H | Weight: 22 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes Terrain Brass Greenhouse 4.8 Terrain View On Shopterrain.com This indoor greenhouse offers a beautiful decorative touch, and can also shield heat-loving houseplants from any drafty corders. In addition to being lovely, it still functions has full mini greenhouse functionality, with doors that open for ventilation. You can also use it for see starting, just be sure to place it in a sunny spot or combine it with a grow light. Three size options are available. Price at time of publish: $178 for medium Dimensions: 10 inches H x 6 inches W x 14 inches L | Weight: Not Available | Assembly Required: No The 7 Best Indoor Garden Systems of 2023 Best DIY Plans Rob Terry 8' x 12' Greenhouse Plans Courtesy of Etsy View On Etsy The owner of this Etsy store, Rob Terry, really covers the market when it comes to greenhouse plans. He has a few dozen to choose from, ranging in size, and his plans make it so easy to understand the necessary steps and put it all together. The plans for this 8 x 12 foot greenhouse come with a spiral, 47-page book that includes a materials list, cut list, and drawing to help illustrate every step along the way. His goal is to make it possible for anyone to make their own greenhouse with basic supplies (this one mostly calls for 2 x 4 boards). Price at time of publish: $26 Dimensions: 8 fee W x 12 feet L | Weight: Varies | Assembly Required: Yes Final Verdict Our top pick is the Snap and Grow Greenhouse because it gives you a lot of space to grow whatever you want. If you’re looking for a smaller-space option that will allow you to grow plants even in winter, then we like the Grow House Greenhouse, which doubles as a cold frame. What to Look for in a Greenhouse Frame and Structure The base of your greenhouse is really important, so look at the material used for the frame and overall structure of the house. Many will have an aluminum or metal frame, which is a good start. Others could be structured out of wood, which is also good and eco-friendly. This structure will often determine the type of coverings your greenhouse can have. Ventilation Greenhouses both big and small need to have good ventilation. Strong air circulation is a key component to growing strong, healthy plants. Then even if your greenhouse does have good airflow, you might want to open it from time to time as well. But start with one with a good design up front. Overall Size Not all greenhouses are big, enormous structures. Sure, they can be, and in that case, you need to make sure the space you have can accommodate your greenhouse. Otherwise, you can definitely create a small greenhouse on a deck, patio, or a room of your home. It can be tempting to go big right away, but that’s not always the best option. Instead, think of how to creatively use your space vertically, and add on as you go! Frequently Asked Questions Is a greenhouse expensive? The cost of greenhouses can vary widely, ranging from about $30 for lightweight options that sit directly on the ground, to thousands of dollars for standalone structures that are functionally small buildings. The larger, house-like structures can be more involved and costly to set up. However, consider starting off with a smaller, pop-up style, which is really affordable, to get going. Regardless of size, if you love gardening, greenhouses can be a worthwhile investment if you consider the value you get back over time from growing your own plants and food. How can I keep a greenhouse warm in the winter? The easiest and most cost effective way to keep a greenhouse warm in winter is to position it in a sunny location. Solar power can go a long way in keeping your greenhouse and plants warm. If you don’t have the right location, then you can look into other options like grow lights and/or heat lamps. It’s really best to know the amount of sun and temperatures you’ll be dealing with up front, so try to spend some time finding this information before you dive in completely. Where should you set up a greenhouse? Most often, this is going to be on the south side of your house in an open location that gets lots of sunshine. This area should be sunny throughout the year, not just in summer. Keep this in mind as you do an assessment of your location. What kinds of plants can you grow in a greenhouse? If you can grow it in your garden, there’s a good chance you can grow it in a greenhouse as well. You just need to have the right conditions. If you don’t have optimal growing conditions for what you want to grow—for instance, say you want to grow tomatoes—then adjust your plans. Start with easier to grow options like herbs or lettuce. After you master those and really get to know your growing conditions, graduate to something more challenging. Does a greenhouse need a heater? This depends a lot on your location and what you’re trying to grow. If you live in a cold region and you’re trying to grow vegetables year-round, then you might need to invest in a heater. Check the plants you want to grow for optimal temperature conditions, and be realistic about how cold it will be in your greenhouse. If you don’t want to add a heater, then just use it as a three-seasons option instead. Why Trust Treehugger? This article was written by Stacy Tornio, who has been helping her grandma plant in her greenhouse since she was a little girl. To find the best greenhouses available today, she spoke to gardeners about the types they wanted to see. Then she extensively researched both big and small options for growing both inside and out. Tornio has written multiple books about gardening and only recommends products she would suggest to her family and best friends. The 12 Best Self-Watering Planters of 2023