To find the best greenhouses for specific needs and uses, we researched dozens of options in all sizes, ranking them based on material, structural stability, and overall value. Our best overall pick is the Home-Complete Walk-In Greenhouse, which has a quick and easy assembly and eight shelves to store a variety of large and small plants and gardening accessories. It is made of a durable steel frame with a clear PVC cover for protection. Here are the best greenhouses. Our pick for the best overall greenhouse is the Home-Complete Walk-In Greenhouse. This budget-friendly greenhouse has a sturdy steel frame and a durable PVC plastic cover that controls the greenhouse temperature and lighting, keeps out pests, and encourages plants to thrive all year long. One of the best features about this top-rated greenhouse, which can be used indoors and outdoors, is its size and light weight (20 pounds). You’ll find it small enough for most outdoor spaces such as patios, but large enough to walk comfortably into to manage your plants and move items. Also, it’s easy to assemble without tools. We appreciated that the kit includes ropes and anchors. We like that this greenhouse includes eight durable shelves, which offer plenty of space to store small and large plants, plant and seed trays, lights, and other gardening accessories. Use the included zip ties to keep them standing upright. Price at time of publish: $89.95 You always can see how your plant is doing, since the structure is entirely transparent. Should you need to administer TLC or ventilate the air, simply open the roll up transparent PE plastic cover that the manufacturer says is UV-protected and waterproof. Price at time of publish: $18.99 This greenhouse’s cover is made of durable PE plastic, with reinforced gridlines for durability. It has a zippered, resealable door, and provides ample protection against harsh weather conditions. The poles that make up the heavy-duty frame are thick enough to provide stability. But they also can be easily detached, so you can move or store the greenhouse in the off-season. We have noted that despite manufacturer claims of protection against frost, this product may not protect against extreme cold in northern climates. Price at time of publish: $42.99 The polypropylene brackets are made of heavy-duty polypropylene that won’t rust. The manufacturer also claims that the brackets’ built-in UV inhibitor prevents them from cracking in constant sunshine or cold temperatures. All parts included in this kit are made in the USA. As mentioned, you have to supply the lumber, cover material, and hardware, which adds to the hefty price. So this product is as affordable or expensive as you want it to be, depending on the quality of lumber and other items you select. Price at time of publish: $258.88 This clear plastic 6-millimeter sheeting, made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), comes in 40-foot-long rolls that are 25 feet wide. The sheeting is designed to let 90 percent of light through. But it also contains additives the manufacturer says should protect against UV rays. Price at time of publish: $114.98 The Outsunny Greenhouse has a tear-proof and UV-protected polyethylene cover and steel frame. This greenhouse lacks shelves for storage, as do other picks on this list, but its roll-up zippered door allows for easy access to the plants. The manufacturer recommends full assembly by an adult. Price at time of publish: $78.99 At less than 3 feet long and under 2 feet wide, this attractively designed greenhouse doesn’t take up a lot of space, although it has a lot of storage room and built-in shelves for plants, trays, and accessories. We love that you can prop the roof and window panels open in summer months to let your plants enjoy the humidity and sunshine. Price at time of publish: $208.99 This 11.5-foot-tall greenhouse has a traditional walk-in tunnel structure with a roll-up entrance and windows for ventilation. The transparent PE plastic cover protects plants and allows enough sunlight to pass through. One thing to note is that this greenhouse is not rated for snow or high winds, and is recommended in milder climates with little or no snow. Price at time of publish: $156.07 We also like that this greenhouse is made of powder-coated galvanized steel, which is very durable and would work just as well outdoors as indoors. One drawback is it lacks a cover and has no temperature control. You could always add your own plastic cover or even a grow lamp if the plants on your table need climate control. Price at time of publish: $17.99 To determine the best option, consider how you plan to use the greenhouse. If it’s just a warm, humid place to display your tropical plants, a small, budget-friendly model may be the way to go. However, if you hope to have a workbench and many large plants, consider a walk-in greenhouse, starting at around 6 x 4 feet.
Material
“The materials and features should match what you want to do with a greenhouse,” Lorson Fowler advises. “A hoop-type greenhouse/row cover that is temporary might be fine for those gardeners who simply want an early start on cool-season vegetables, like lettuces and other greens. A serious orchid collector will want a sturdy wood- or metal-framed greenhouse with excellent climate-control features, like venting systems, fans, and depending on the climate, a heating system with an alarm.” Most greenhouses have aluminum or steel frames, but greenhouse siding is typically made from from plastic film, polycarbonate panels, or glass. There are benefits to each material: Plastic is the most affordable film and retains heat well, but it can rip or tear and doesn’t do well in strong winds. Polycarbonate is more durable, thanks to its shatter resistance, and it also provides superior UV-filtering and light diffusion. However, this material isn’t fully transparent. Also, you need cellular polycarbonate at least 4 millimeters thick for three-season use, or at least 8 millimeters for year-round use. Glass is beautiful but inefficient for heating and easily breakable. It needs to be double- or triple strength to be practical. Glass siding, which generally requires professional installation, also doesn’t diffuse light and can burn plants and requires a sturdier frame and foundation and smaller, more numerous panes. And don’t forget the base. Permanent structures may need a foundation of gravel or stone or even poured concrete.
Ventilation
“In full sun in warmer months, greenhouses can get quite hot,” reminds Lorson Fowler. “Without the ability to expel very hot air, your greenhouse can stress plants and perhaps even kill them.” Proper ventilation is essential for any greenhouse, as it allows you to regulate the temperature and humidity inside. For this reason, look for a greenhouse that includes controllable temperature, at significantly higher cost, or a window or vent. Lorson Fowler also recommends considering an automatic vent opener, since it can be difficult to always be home when temperatures soar.
Weather Resistance
This factor may be vital, depending on where you live and how you plan to use your greenhouse. Many inexpensive plastic greenhouses don’t stand up well to heavy winds, and they often collapse under the weight of snow. If you plan to leave your greenhouse up year-round, it’s best to look for a product that has a high wind-resistance and snow load capacity.
Standout Features
Temperature Control
In larger greenhouses, a temperature control system can help you maintain the right level of heat for your plants. A few different features can help you regulate your greenhouse’s temperature, including horizontal air flow (HAF) fans, which help circulate air throughout the space; as well as shade curtains, which can be closed on hot days to prevent the greenhouse temperature from skyrocketing. Automatic watering systems can also help keep your plants the appropriate temperature throughout the day.
Warranty
Since you are likely to spend a lot of money on a greenhouse (prices can range into the thousands), look into its warranty. These buildings commonly have 5- or 10-year limited warranties, during which time the manufacturer repairs or replaces any defective pieces. However, most warranties mandate that you install, use, and maintain the structure based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. So if you made changes during assembly or are using a “hobby” greenhouse to run a business, they may deny your claim.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This roundup was written by Deanna McCormack, a freelance writer for The Spruce. She specializes in home and outdoor reviews and has extensive personal and professional experience as a home product tester. To put together this list of the best greenhouses, she considered factors like size, shape, and overall value, and prioritized options made with a high-quality, durable cover which keeps cold air out and provides optimal light and heat conditions. We also consulted with Veronica Lorson Fowler, a master gardener based in Ames Iowa, who has published several books about gardening, and is a former garden editor for Better Homes and Gardens special-interest publications. Proper ventilation also helps control humidity levels. You should take care not to overwater plants to prevent the space from getting too humid. Bugs can infest your greenhouse, so stay on top of pest control, inspecting new plants for bugs before you bring them in. It’s also important to wash the greenhouse’s interior and exterior panels at least once a year to keep them clean. If too much grime accumulates, it can prevent sunlight from reaching your plants. If you plan to use your greenhouse year-round, it’s best to have the ridge of the structure run east-west, as this maximizes light in winter. However, if you’re only going to use the greenhouse in spring and summer, align the ridge north-south, which gives it an equal amount of sun on each side and reduces the risk of overheating on hot days.
