10 best greenhouses to help your plants thrive all year round

Looking to up your plant growth? Invest in a greenhouse for a great addition to your garden or allotment.

Best greenhouses

by Caitlin Casey |
Updated on

If you want to give your outdoor plants the best chance in life, the best greenhouse can offer you some vital outdoor storage with growth-friendly glass walls. A greenhouse is especially useful if you're getting your green fingers stuck into growing new plants, herbs, and produce for your spring and summer pots and planters, beds, and borders. Some plants may just need starting off in the greenhouse before you plant them out, while others may need permanent space under cover for ultimate protection.

Greenhouses - typically made of glass or polycarbonate, and wood or steel - are a warm, cosy enclosure for your greenery, giving your plants enough light and warmth to grow without facing the tough UV rays or the unpredictable British weather. Especially when it comes to those frosty winter months, greenhouses can be a saviour to all of us gardeners.

Best greenhouses at a glance:

Best small greenhouse: Palram Harmony Polycarbonate Apex Greenhouse - View on Homebase
Best luxury greenhouse: Crane Garden Buildings Greenhouse - View on John Lewis
Best large greenhouse: Rion Grand Gardner Acrylic Barn Greenhouse - View on B&Q

The thing is though, there are so many choices of greenhouses out there. You can get one that is huge and barn-like that requires serious construction or one tiny enough to sit on a patio and fit in a few plants. Which one's the best for you? Well, we've covered everything in our greenhouse guide below - including the best greenhouses you can buy right now.

Best greenhouses UK

Best small greenhouse

Great for beginners or those short on garden space, this six-by-four-foot Palram greenhouse is an entry-level option in a traditional, rectangular design. This has an aluminium frame and a steel base. The panels are made from durable, 0.7mm thick polycarbonate that offers 90% light transmission. This greenhouse offers a few features of note; guttering is included for better rain run-off, there's an opening roof vent for ventilation, and the door can be secured with a locking mechanism.

Customer review: "We wanted a small first greenhouse to go on our patio. This one had good reviews and seemed good value for money. Three of us worked to assemble it and it took about four hours. The instructions were easy to follow and the parts were well labelled. It all fit together well. It looks good on our patio and I'm looking forward to using it."

Pros

  • Easy-to-follow instructions for assembly
  • Fairly sturdy
  • A great entry-level all-rounder

Cons

  • Fixings sold separately
Size:D 1260mm x H 2080mm x W1850mm
Coverage:2.3m²
Door size:H1630mm x W560mm
Materials:Galvanised steel (base), Aluminium (frame), Twin polycarbonate (Panel), Acrylic glazed
Assembly required?Yes

Best hexagonal cover greenhouse

Outsunny Hexagon Walk In Garden GreenhouseAmazon/Outsunny

This hexagonal greenhouse makes it even easier to look after your plant family with spacious storage. It has a zippered, roll-up door to make it easy to get in and out, with the option of more ventilation on warmer days. The cover is UV resistant but allows sunlight to pass through, retaining the best light and heat for your plants. This comes complete with four ropes and four ground stakes so you can secure it in place.

Customer review: “It’s a great shape giving a real feeling of space inside. The structure seems sturdier than others I’ve had, again, I think, because of the shape. You still must take precautions to weigh down the cover as it blows completely off in a high wind, but the frame stood fast. I love it!”

Pros

  • Portable
  • Large capacity and great storage
  • Shape gives easier access to your plants

Cons

  • Take care to position it where the wind won't catch it
Size:L194 x W194 x H215m
Materials:‎Polyethylene, Alloy Steel
Assembly required?Yes

Best luxury greenhouse

Crane Garden Buildings 2.4 x 3m Greenhouse, FSC-certified (Scandinavian Redwood), SageJohn Lewis/Crane Garden Buildings

If you're looking to splash out and buy a greenhouse that is stylish, sturdy and will last for years, then this Crane Garden Buildings greenhouse is the one for you. It's definitely at a higher price point but worth it for the vintage looks, glazed glass panels, and Scandinavian Redwood build. The part-glazed panels are made from toughened glass, as is the roof. Inside are bench-style shelves for your plants to sit. Also available in white if you'd prefer.

Pros

  • Made from high-quality materials
  • It will be assembled for you
  • Beautiful style fit for any modern garden

Cons

  • Requires a solid, level concrete base to be laid before installation
Size:H304 x W300 x D240cm
Materials:Scandinavian redwood, toughened glass and solid brass fittings
Assembly required?Delivered and assembled by supplier

Best hexagonal greenhouse

Palram greenhouse Palram/Robert Dyas

We love this greenhouse's elegant hexagonal design gives you lots of headroom and 360-degree view of your surroundings. We're also fans of the wide, hinged double doors. This has a strong, rust-resistant aluminium frame. The polycarbonate side panelling is virtually unbreakable with resistance against discolouration. The roof boasts a combination of two types of glazing to balance light exposure to your plants and remove harmful UV sun rays. Ventilation comes in with an opening louvre vent.

Customer review: "Lovely. Took longer than said but I've now got the Eden project at a great price."

Pros

  • Wide doors for easy access
  • Unbreakable panels
  • Roof with UV protection

Cons

  • Frame only available in grey
Size:8 foot
Materials:Aluminium,  polycarbonate
Assembly required?Yes

Best mini greenhouse

Kingfisher GHPRO Premium 4 Tier GreenhouseKingfisher/Amazon

Do you just want a simple greenhouse that does the job? This Kingfisher greenhouse is a fantastic option if you just want something that will support your plants in their growth during certain seasons of the year, as you can pack it down and store it in the colder months. Made with a metal base and removable plastic cover, this works for gardeners who want ease and value.

Customer review: "Bought this six months ago, after a busy growing season, I've been very happy with this - it's slimline but fits plenty of seed trays (although I've sacrificed the ground shelf to a heavy bag of compost, as these type of cold frames are prone to blowing over in the wind). The zip still works perfectly, joints have stayed intact, the item feels sturdy enough for the price. It also looks prettier than my other cold frames. A good buy."

Pros

  • Budget option
  • Ideal for balconies or small gardens

Cons

  • Lightweight, so needs weighing down
Size:H130 x L50 x D45cm
Materials:Metal
Assembly required?Yes

Best large greenhouse

Rion Grand Gardner 8x20 Acrylic Barn GreenhouseB&Q/Rion

This greenhouse is a serious solution for dedicated horticulturalists, especially as it measures in at a huge 6.3 metres long by 2.6 metres wide. However, this means it's perfect if you are planning to use a lot of space in a greenhouse. This Rion Grand acrylic greenhouse is barn-shaped with two doors, making it perfect to line your greenery with. Features include four roof vents and a locking mechanism. You will have to grab a base with this separately if you don't have the necessary hardstanding currently available.

Pros

  • Enormous capacity
  • Well-ventilated

Cons

  • Assembly required
Size:D6310mm x H2375mm x W2670mm
Materials:Extruded resin frame, Acrylic glazed and polycarbonate
Assembly required?Yes

Best cathedral greenhouse

Palram - Canopia Victory 12x10 Polycarbonate Cathedral GreenhouseB&Q/Palram
Price: $1,257.99

www.diy.com

If you don't want something as large as the barn greenhouse but still want a big greenhouse with multiple doors and windows, the cathedral greenhouse may be the one for you. It's very attractive with a multi-level roof, making it a potential focal point in your outdoor space. This has two roof vents and a very useful lowered threshold, so you won't struggle to get wheelbarrows in and out. This also has guttering included for low maintenance.

Customer review: "It's a great greenhouse but it says in the instruction that it will take half a day with two people for the build, I think I will give that a big question mark."

Pros

  • Attractive shape
  • Large capacity
  • Good for medium-sized gardens

Cons

  • Position in a sheltered spot to avoid damage from high winds
Size:D3650mm x H2700mm x W3610mm
Materials:Aluminium, Twin polycarbonate
Assembly required?Yes

Best wooden greenhouse

Mercia greenhouse Mercia/Wickes

If the thought of an all-glass garden structure makes you nervous, consider an option with a substantial wooden frame. Like a garden shed with really big windows, Mercia's greenhouse gives you the stability of wood while letting loads of light in to help your plants thrive. This measures the same size as a standard greenhouse - six feet by four. The wooden areas are made from 12mm shiplap cladding, and the panels are UV-resistant, shatterproof styrene. This has one opening window and a single-size door.

Pros

  • Sturdy wooden construction
  • Opening window
  • Apex design

Cons

  • Wood will require treating
Size:6x4 foot
Materials:Shiplap wood, styrene
Assembly required?Yes

Best wall greenhouse

Vitavia greenhouseVitavia/Wickes

If the place in your garden that makes sense to have a greenhouse is against a wall, then this is the greenhouse for you. Vitavia's "Ida" is specially designed for balconies, patios, or walled gardens. Despite its space-saving design, it still manages to offer eight by four feet of space for you to grow your preferred plants. This has clever, front-mounted sliding doors to save the need to require space to open them, and you can simply glide these doors open when you want some fresh air. The frame is aluminium, and the panels are made from toughened glass.

Pros

  • Wall-friendly design
  • Sliding doors

Cons

  • Not particularly attractive
Size:8x4 foot
Materials:Aluminium, toughened glass
Assembly required?Yes

How we chose the best greenhouses

All of these greenhouses have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the design, functionality, and size in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching greenhouses to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.

Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.

FAQs

What type of greenhouse should I get?

There are lots of elements to factor in when you want to start looking for a greenhouse. What size can you fit in your garden? How much can you afford? Do you want a static greenhouse or one that's easily covered and uncovered?
With all of this in mind, there are a few different types of greenhouses you should look towards.
Wooden or steel bases: Whereas steel bases are much easier to put together, wooden frames for greenhouses can look more traditional and maybe a more stylish choice - this will make them more expensive, though.
Plastic-covered: Want ease and a cheaper choice? Plastic-covered greenhouses are a great option that often has zippers and is easily removed for a lower price.
Shape: You'll have to think about the shape and size of your greenhouse. You can get traditional gable greenhouses easily, but lean-to options are often smaller and just as effective if you have a smaller garden. Then you have arching, cathedral, and barn greenhouses too, just to name a few. This all depends on what you're looking for in your greenhouse.

How much to spend on a greenhouse?

This all depends on what materials you want, how many features you want and the choice of size for your greenhouse.
Greenhouses can start anywhere from £30 to over £10,000 depending on what you buy and design, so there's a lot to think about.
For instance, plastic, steel, and wooden frames can be cheaper if they're smaller in size, but they may not be as sturdy if you buy them so cheaply. On the other hand, you can spend lots of money on a specially designed greenhouse with doors and windows, but you may find this isn't necessary for your budget.
We're all about the value you get for your money, so you'll want to do full research into what you're buying before you get it.

Where should I position my greenhouse?

When choosing where to site your greenhouse, you need to consider various factors to make sure it's in the optimal place for plant growth.
You might have an ideal space in mind, but it's worth considering the below:
• Position your greenhouse in the sunniest part of your garden. This is paramount for getting the most out of your greenhouse. The best position for this would be to have your greenhouse south-facing where possible or, failing that, east side to maximise light during the winter
• Putting your greenhouse in a space that will be sheltered from high winds or storms. This is great for the long-term maintenance and structural integrity of your greenhouse
• Position your greenhouse near a source of water or electricity. This is ideal for easy watering with a garden hose and providing additional heat in the cooler seasons if your sun exposure is limited
• Make sure to build on level ground with good foundations. Building on a slope will create complications with pots potentially rolling off the inside staging!
• Leave space around your greenhouse. This will make for an easier installation and make it easier to replace any broken panes later down the line.

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Caitlin Casey is a Senior Writer for Modern Gardens, heat, Closer, and Grazia. She covers shopping, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.

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