Having an indoor greenhouse allows gardeners to grow plants year-round, protected from extreme temperatures and weather. With some creativity and DIY skills, it’s easy to create a customized greenhouse space even in a small apartment or home. Here are 22 unique DIY ideas to make your own indoor greenhouse on any budget.

Choosing the Right Spot

When selecting where to build your indoor greenhouse, consider these factors:

Light

Most plants need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily, so choose a sunny spot near a window. South or west-facing windows are ideal. Supplement natural light with grow lights.

Temperature & Humidity

Aim for consistent temperatures between 65-75°F and 40-60% humidity. Avoid drafty areas. Small greenhouses can go on plant stands near windows.

Space

Look for an unused corner or empty wall space at least 2ft wide and deep. Mounted shelves, wall-mounted cabinets, and other vertical spaces also work.

Access to Water

Having a nearby sink or water source helps make plant care easier. Carrying water across a room daily can get tedious.

DIY Greenhouse Ideas

Here are 22 creative and budget-friendly ways to make your own indoor greenhouse:

1. Repurposed Cabinet Greenhouse

Convert an old armoire, entertainment center, or kitchen cabinet into a greenhouse. Remove shelves and doors to fit pots inside. Add grow lights, fans, and hooks for hanging plants.

2. Wall-Mounted Shelves

Install floating greenhouse shelves on a sunny wall. Opt for sturdy brackets and moisture-resistant shelves. Angle shelves to let light pass to lower levels.

3. Hanging Pots & Planters

Suspend pots using chains, macrame, or ropes for an airy, vertical greenhouse. Hang them near windows in stacked layers from ceiling hooks.

4. PVC Pipe Greenhouse

Use PVC pipes and connectors to build a freestanding PVC greenhouse frame. Cover with plastic sheeting or plexiglass. Add wheels for portability.

5. Pallet Wood Greenhouse

Upcycle shipping pallets into a rustic potting bench or tabletop greenhouse. Customize the size and shape as needed.

6. Windowsill Greenhouse

Maximize windowsill space by lining it with narrow, long planters or racks for pots. Opt for compact herbs, trays of microgreens, propagations, and dwarf varieties.

7. Repurposed China Cabinet

A vintage glass-fronted china cabinet becomes a quaint greenhouse for displaying prized plants. No wiring required!

8. Indoor Sunroom Greenhouse

Transform an enclosed patio, three-season porch, mudroom, or conservatory into a bright greenhouse getaway. Add extra insulation.

9. Tabletop Greenhouse Terrariums

Display mini greenhouses made from glass cloches, large apothecary jars, or upcycled fish tanks on tables and shelves.

10. DIY Plastic Bottle Greenhouse

Reuse empty 2-liter soda bottles by cutting them in half and connecting them to make mini greenhouses for seedlings.

11. Desktop Greenhouse

Keep plants right on your desk! Use wire racks, stacked crates, or slated wood to elevate pots. Add desk-clamp grow lights.

12. Framed Plastic Covered Shelves

Build open shelves and enclose them using plastic sheeting or shower curtains. Zip ties, binder clips, or curtains rods allow access inside.

13. Indoor Grow Tent

These tents create customizable, controlled conditions. Choose reflective material to amplify light and maintain heat. Add fans, humidity monitoring, and grow lights.

14. Wardian Case Terrariums

These vintage-inspired glass boxes are an easy, decorative greenhouse for plants like ferns, mosses, orchids, and air plants. No construction required!

15. Industrial Pipe Shelving Unit

Black iron pipes and joints create customizable shelving units for modern plant displays. Scale up or down to fit space.

16. Bathtub Greenhouse Planter

Repurpose an old cast iron, clawfoot, or modern tub as an instant elongated planter box in a greenhouse. Add caster wheels for mobility.

17. Apartment Railing Greenhouse

Use balcony or stair railing bars as a frame to hang wire shelving, mesh panels, or vertical planters.

18. Geodesic Dome Greenhouse

Construct a compact geodesic dome frame from PVC pipes and connectors. Cover with plastic sheeting and add zippered doors.

19. Glass Block Greenhouse

Stack glass block panels on a base to create see-through wall dividers or mini greenhouses with natural light. Seal edges with caulk.

20. Storm Window Greenhouse

Make use of old storm windows. Prop vertically in frames to create lean-to greenhouses for walls or fences.

21. Cinder Block Greenhouse

Arrange cinder blocks in square planters or benches. Set glass or plexiglass panels on top. Anchor to floor for stability.

22. Bookshelf Greenhouse

Maximize bookshelves by using space for potted plants. Add grow lights underneath or above each shelf.

Choosing Plants for an Indoor Greenhouse

When selecting plants, consider factors like:

Lighting needs – Choose low, medium, or high light plants to match conditions. Supplement with grow lights.
Humidity preferences – Pick tropicals or terrariums for high humidity. Desert plants suit drier conditions.
Air circulation – Avoid overcrowding. Leave room between plants for airflow.
Growth habits – Trellising vines allow vertical growth. Dwarf and cascading varieties work for shelves.
Plant uses – Grow herbs, vegetables, houseplants, flowers, succulents, propagations, or mixes.
Maintenance – Lower maintenance plants include cacti, succulents, bromeliads, pothos, most herbs, etc.

Caring for an Indoor Greenhouse

Maintaining ideal growing conditions inside a small greenhouse takes attentive care:

Monitor temperature and humidity daily, adjusting as needed.
Water when soil is partly dry. Ensure pots drain well to prevent root rot.
Open doors and vents to prevent overheating on sunny days.
Circulate air with small fans to prevent disease.
Fertilize actively growing plants. Flush salts every 3 months.
Transition outdoor plants indoors gradually, hardening off for a few weeks.
Clean glass and interior regularly to maximize light.
Watch for pests like aphids, mealybugs, fungus gnats, and scale. Isolate and treat infested plants promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Indoor Greenhouses

Here are answers to some common indoor greenhouse FAQs:

What is the best material for an indoor greenhouse?

Glass, plexiglass, plastic sheeting, polycarbonate panels, and rigid plastic sheets all work well. Choose transparent or semi-transparent materials to allow plenty of light in.

What temperature should an indoor greenhouse be?

Ideally keep indoor greenhouses between 65-75°F during the day and 55-65°F at night for most plants. Tropicals prefer higher heat around 70-80°F.

How much humidity is needed in a small greenhouse?

Maintain 40-60% relative humidity for most plants. Tropical plants need 50-70% humidity. Dry desert species do fine down to 30% humidity. Use humidifiers and moisture trays to raise humidity levels as required.

Should indoor greenhouses be sealed environments?

No, indoor greenhouses need ventilation. Open doors, windows, and vents for air circulation daily. Add exhaust fans if humidity gets too high. Completely sealed greenhouses risk overheating and mold growth.

How much sunlight does an indoor greenhouse need?

Most plants need 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or 12-16 hours under grow lights daily. Supplement with full spectrum LED grow lights. South and west-facing windows offer the most light.

What plants can be grown in small indoor greenhouses?

Great options include herbs, salad greens, houseplants, tropicals, cacti, succulents, carnivorous plants, orchids, citrus trees, veggies like tomatoes and peppers, microgreens, propagations, and more.

Do greenhouses require special pots?

Not necessarily. Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot. Self-watering pots help maintain moisture levels. Choose plastic, terracotta, ceramic, wood, or fabric pots. Match size to plant.

Conclusion

Creating your own indoor greenhouse can be an incredibly rewarding DIY project! With so many creative options from repurposed cabinets and shelves to custom-built greenhouses, you can craft the perfect indoor growing space. Pay attention to factors like positioning for ample natural sunlight, maintaining ideal temperatures and humidity levels, and selecting suitable plants for your conditions. With a properly outfitted and carefully tended indoor greenhouse, you can enjoy growing lush plants and fresh garden harvests all year round.

22 DIY Indoor Greenhouse Ideas