Why a Mini Greenhouse is a Good Investment

Greenhouses do not have to be large and spacious to be useful. The big ones are great if you are a commercial grower, or live on an acreage, but if you have only a small space for growing, then a mini greenhouse can serve you quite well.

Mini greenhouses can be located on a balcony, a patio or deck, or in a yard. Many of them are as small as 6 square feet, but larger ones are available if you have the space. Although 6 square feet seems small, every inch can be utilized to provide a good growing space.
Flower House Pop-Up Plant House

These small greenhouses are much less expensive to buy than their full sized ‘parents’. Their small size can even be an advantage. They don’t take up much room. They can easily be moved. They can be stored in a small space in the summer when you don’t need to use them.

What can you use them for, you may wonder. They can be used to protect plants in colder seasons. Use them as a protected spot to start your seedlings. On a patio or balcony or even in a sunny room, they be used to grow herbs, small vegetables all year long. Use them to protect tender perennials through the winter months.

Place pots of flowering plants on the shelves for an attractive display. During the summer, house plants can be placed in a mini greenhouse that is located outside, for a healthy change. This mini structure will give more tropical types of plants a humid and hot climate to enjoy, while protecting them from rain, wind and insects.

Many types of mini greenhouses are available to buy, ranging in price from around $40 to over $400. Some of the least expensive ones are simply a metal or plastic frame covered with poly plastic sheeting and with a zippered door. They range in size from two to five removable shelves or tiers. These are easily set up, with no need for tools. The downside is they are less sturdy and are lightweight, so can be blown over by wind or knocked over, so placing them in a protected spot is imperative.

Others have a wood framework and shelves, with sides and top of single or twin-walled rigid polycarbonate sheets. They are sturdier and heavier, so less susceptible to strong winds. The polycarbonate sheets are stronger than glass and a better insulator than poly sheeting. Some are designed to be free-standing, while others are designed to be put against a wall. These lean-to types use the wall for protection and shelter, as well as a heat sink.

If you plan on using a greenhouse only to grow a few plants, to germinate seeds or to protect a few plants over the winter, then a mini-greenhouse may be all you need. Maintaining a small greenhouse is much cheaper and easier than the full sized ones. A mini greenhouse can be a good investment for any gardener, and even a useful supplement for a gardener with a larger greenhouse.