Choosing a Mini Greenhouse

If you have an unlimited love of plants but a limited amount of space, a mini greenhouse might be for you. But there are some things you'll need to consider in order to choose the right one.

You'll want one that fits the space that's available. Some fit on a shelf and some are free-standing, suitable for a corner nook. Some are large enough to walk into and can sit outside. If you live in an apartment, you might want a shelf model, similar to a terrarium. Some of these include a twenty-four-hour-cycle light with timer. If you have the room, you might want a tiered one. They are about five feet tall and have four or five shelves. They're perfect for starting seedlings indoors in the spring. A walk-in outdoor greenhouse is also handy for starting seedlings, especially if you live in a warm climate.

Another consideration is the type of plants you want to put in it. If you want to put hardy houseplants in it for display, you probably won't need extra features. However, if you're starting delicate seedlings, especially difficult-to-grow ones like impatiens, you might want a system with humidity control and heat. These are also helpful if you have a short growing season.

You might want to think about how important the look of the mini greenhouse is. If you're growing seedlings in it only a few weeks a year, looks are probably not important. But if it will be displaying houseplants permanently, looks become more of a consideration. There are many styles available, however, so this shouldn't be a problem.

If you like do-it-yourself projects, you can build your own. You can also start from scratch. Line a cardboard box with plastic sheeting, add soil and plant your plants, then water them. Place a wooden dowel in each corner of the box and drape plastic sheeting over the dowels, creating a plastic roof. Tuck the plastic roof inside the box and staple it into place on two sides. When moisture condenses on the plastic roof, the plants are fine, but when you don't see moisture, then water them.

You may have to balance various needs when picking your mini greenhouse. But with a little searching, you'll find one that's right for you.