No outdoor space for growing plants? No problem! Create the perfect environment inside your home with these DIY indoor greenhouse ideas.
9 DIY Indoor Greenhouses
Updated on Nov. 14, 2024
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Some of our most popular houseplants hail from the tropics which means they actually like a little more warmth and humidity than they typically get in our homes. For those of us who live in cold climates, the onset of winter also really throws a wrench in growing herbs and microgreens. But a DIY indoor greenhouse can fix all of those problems, plus add a welcome dose of intrigue and natural warmth into our homes.
“It’s like having your own personal jungle, giving you a mini-escape right in your living room,” says Manny Barra, a master gardener at TeachMe.To. “Plus, watching your plants grow day by day is strangely satisfying—a little victory with every sprout and bloom!”
From tiny jars to room-size walk-ins, here are some ideas for DIYing your own indoor greenhouse.
Coffee Table Greenhouse
If there’s not much space in your home for a greenhouse, something like this coffee table greenhouse by @whoputalltheseplantshere is a perfect solution. This piece functions as a coffee table, greenhouse and piece of living art — all in one!
She made it by lining the bottom tier of her coffee table (here’s a similar table) with cardboard and plastic to make a watertight tray. Then she added soil and plants. It’s not a traditional closed greenhouse, but the glass top traps in some warmth and humidity to help the plants thrive.
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Picture Frame Greenhouse
A mini greenhouse is a good size for two or three plants while doubling as unique decor for a table or bookshelf. This cute tabletop greenhouse by @tsteffes was made with photo frames from the dollar store!
Remove the backs of the frames, leaving only the glass and wood or plastic. Then use a hot glue gun or another heavy-duty adhesive to attach the frames together into a greenhouse shape.
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Repurposed Pastry Display Greenhouse
This greenhouse by @tinygreenuniverse was once a pastry display case, proving that almost any clear container can be turned into a greenhouse by adding some grow lights. Of course, not many people own a pastry case. But consider other plastic or acrylic containers like these storage bins.
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Plant Room Greenhouse
Have a spare bedroom? Turn it into an indoor greenhouse! It’s not glass, but with the right setup you can create an ideal warm and humid greenhouse atmosphere for your precious plants.
This room by @unplantparenthood has everything her plants need to thrive, including multiple cabinets and shelves, grow lights and a humidifier. Look for a humidifier with a long run time, at least 12 to 24 hours, so you don’t have to constantly worry about refilling it. Looking for more ideas? Check out our favorite greenhouse shelving ideas.
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Mini Lantern Greenhouse
Here’s another miniature greenhouse that couldn’t be easier to DIY. Purchase a glass lantern meant to hold a candle. Even better, get one in need of a makeover at a thrift store.
With this version, @abosmadesign removed the ornate pieces of her wood lantern to make it more streamlined and gave it a fresh coat of paint. Then simply add your plants!
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IKEA Hack Greenhouse
Many indoor garden enthusiasts use the popular Fabrikor glass-door cabinet from IKEA to create their indoor greenhouse. That’s just what @themodernmonstera did by adding grow lights and a fan to help with air circulation and prevent mold.
The slim cabinet fits nicely, tucked into a corner of your home. It features glass on all four sides, ideal for viewing all your beautiful greenery.
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Mason Jar Greenhouse
Use a glass jar to create your own upcycled greenhouse with this distinctive base from Etsy seller @Rex3DStore.
The 3D-printed hexagonal base fits the mouth of a standard Ball Mason jar. It also includes a water reservoir and a lip that collects condensation that cycles back into the reservoir to keep the soil moist.
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Indoor Polished Wooden Cold Frame Greenhouse
This indoor cold frame greenhouse elevates your plants off the ground and includes a storage shelf for holding gardening tools and a watering can. Here are some of our best cold frame greenhouses.
Though it’s a store-bought cold frame greenhouse, you’ll still need some DIY skills for assembly. Plus, the fir wood frame is made to be painted or stained, so you can give the greenhouse a custom look to fit your decor.
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Mini Windowsill Greenhouse
Start a full organic garden directly on your windowsill! This mini greenhouse kit from Etsy seller @GardenOutsideTheBox includes a high-domed greenhouse that’s small enough to fit on a windowsill, where it will get all the sunshine it needs.
You’ll also receive 12 peat pellets (small soil discs that are great for starting seeds) and kelp meal (organic plant food made from seaweed). Just add water and watch your garden grow! P.S. We also recommend this organic seed starter kit.
FAQ
Are greenhouses expensive to upkeep?
No, indoor greenhouses are not expensive to upkeep. In most cases, maintaining them is as easy as cleaning the glass and monitoring the humidity. “LED grow lights and small fans for circulating air are likely the only electronics you might add,” says Emily Gaines, who helps run educational garden programs at the Sonoma County Children’s Museum. “Both are easy to find, last a long time and are relatively inexpensive to replace when the time comes.”
But, outdoor greenhouses can be expensive to upkeep, depending on the materials used and the climate you’re in. For example, poly hoop houses need the poly replaced every few years as it degrades. “A material like glass doesn’t require regular replacement, however, the colder your climate is, in general, the more expensive it will be to heat your greenhouse if you want to keep it warm all winter long,” says Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms.
Do greenhouses stay naturally warm?
Yes, they trap both solar energy from sunlight and warmth from grow lights, but how warm they stay depends on the insulation. “The greenhouse effect helps reduce heat loss overnight by trapping it in with your plants,” says Gaines. “Even the tiny amount of heat produced by an LED grow light will be trapped inside.”
However, an outside greenhouse will lose heat, especially in cold weather. “With my poly hoop house, for example, the heat trapped during the day would slowly start to dissipate after the sun went down and the greenhouse was the same temperature inside and out well before morning,” says Hancock.
About the Experts
- Manny Barra is the community garden coordinator for the City of Oakland and a master gardener at TeachMe.To. He is passionate about sustainable gardening, soil health, aquaponics and community food systems.
- Emily Gaines helps run educational garden programs at the Sonoma County Children’s Museum. She is also content editor for Bootstrap Farmer and has a passion for using community education to support growers at every level.
- Justin Hancock is a horticulturist at Costa Farms, the world’s largest houseplant grower. He has more than 25 years of experience in the horticulture industry as a garden editor, retail garden center operator and plant tag information specialist.
