Home & Garden Garden The 10 Best Greenhouses of 2022 Extend your 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 14, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Home & Garden Planting Guides Indoor Gardening Urban Farms Insects We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. 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 your garden by months. In some areas, 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. It shouldn’t be hard to find the perfect one to meet your needs, we hope this list helps you find the right greenhouse for you. Here are Treehugger's picks for the best greenhouses: The Rundown Best Overall: Palram Snap & Grow Greenhouse at Walmart Jump to Review Best Budget: OGrow Mini Greenhouse at Wayfair 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 Plans to DIY: Rob Terry 8' x 12' Greenhouse Plans at Etsy Jump to Review Best Cold Frame: Exaco Trading Biostar 1500 Cold Frame at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Cold Climates: 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 Tabletop: AeroGarden Harvest at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Hydroponics: VIVOSUN Hydroponic Mylar Grow Tent at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall: Palram Snap & Grow Greenhouse Wayfair View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Wayfair Dimensions: 98 W x 100 D x 102 H inches | Weight: 148 lbs | Assembly Required: Yes You can have a greenhouse in an afternoon with new, modern snap-and-go designs. There are a few options out there, including this one with a SmartLock connector system. 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. Best Budget: OGrow Mini Greenhouse View On Wayfair Dimensions: 47 W x 24 D x 24 H inches | Weight: 6 lbs | Assembly Required: Yes Thinking about trying a greenhouse but not ready to invest a lot of time, space, or money? This greenhouse made by Amerlife is a great choice for starters. You can use it both inside or out—the ground pegs will help stake it and hold it in place. Many people use portable greenhouses like this one to cover fragile plants in winter, or to get an early start on seeds in spring. Depending on your area's climate, you can even use a greenhouse to keep your favorite veggies growing throughout the year. The Amerlife Portable Greenhouse is an easy, cost-effective way to dip your toe in the greenhouse world. The Best Containers for Small Gardens Best Portable: KOKSRY Indoor and Outdoor Greenhouse Amazon View On Amazon Dimensions: 56 W x 30 D x 76 H inches | Weight: 14 lbs | Assembly Required: Yes 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! Best For Small Spaces: Mini Pop Greenhouse Amazon View On Amazon Dimensions: 27 W x 27 D x 31 H inches | Weight: 1.9 lbs | Assembly Required: No 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. Best Plans to DIY: Rob Terry 8' x 12' Greenhouse Plans Courtesy of Etsy View On Etsy Dimensions: 8 W x 12 L feet | Weight: Varies | Assembly Required: Yes 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 foot 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 2x4 boards). Best Cold Frame: Exaco Trading Biostar 1500 Cold Frame Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Greenhousemegastore.com Dimensions: 32 W x 59 L x 4 H inches | Weight: 23 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes 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. The 8 Best Cold Frames, According to a Master Gardener Best for Cold Climates: Gardener's Supply Company Grow House Greenhouse Gardener's Supply Company View On Gardeners.com Dimensions: 24 W x 96 L x 29 H inches | Assembly Required: Yes | Holds: 13 cubic feet of potting mix 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. Best Greenhouse Kit: Metaplant Mini Greenhouse with Grow Light Amazon View On Amazon Dimensions: 13 W x 25 L x 56 H inches | Weight: 12.5 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes 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. Best Tabletop: AeroGarden Harvest 5 View On Walmart View On Walmart View On Amazon Dimensions: 6 W x 10 L x 17 H inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Assembly Required: No While this one isn’t exactly a greenhouse, it still deserves a spot on this list because it allows you to grow in a small, contained space right on your own countertop or tabletop. The AeroGarden has made our list before, and it’s well-loved and trusted by gardeners. You can buy both big and small systems, and you grow herbs and veggies through little pods. For those who love having fresh greens to eat year-round, it’s the perfect alternative to a full-on greenhouse. By the way, there are a lot more indoor grow systems like this one hitting the market, so keep an eye out for new, bigger options. The 8 Best Indoor Garden Systems of 2022 Best for Hydroponics: VIVOSUN Hydroponic Mylar Grow Tent Amazon View On Amazon Dimensions: 5 W x 10 L x 49 H inches | Weight: 19 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes Here’s another one that’s not quite a greenhouse, but it’s a strong option for those who have limited outdoor space and want to grow indoors. This grow tent has a tray along the bottom, a hanging bard, excellent ventilation, and a little observation window for checking in on your plants.With this setup, you’ll be able to grow any time of year or even in a dark space or basement. You’ll still need some other equipment for this method, but it’ll give you a great start for creating an effective hydroponic system indoors. Final Verdict Our top pick is the Snap and Grow Greenhouse (view at Wayfair) 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 (view at Gardener's Supply Company), 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! FAQs Is a greenhouse expensive? For the most part, greenhouses are not all that expensive, especially if you consider the investment you get back over time in growing your own plants and food. 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. 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 things 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. In writing about modern-day greenhouses, she spoke to gardeners about the types they wanted to see. Then she researched extensively to find 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 families and best friends. The 12 Best Self-Watering Planters of 2022