Love the idea of having a greenhouse but hate the idea of building one from scratch? We're with you, which is why we love greenhouse kits.

Greenhouse kits give you everything you need to build a greenhouse along with helpful construction instructions. That way, you can spend less time building a greenhouse and more time doing what really matters: doting on your precious plant.

This complete guide includes in-depth reviews on the best greenhouse kits for your yard in 2020 along with helpful purchasing tips.

Backyard Boss Top 5 Greenhouse Kits of 2021

PRODUCT

FEATURES

Palram Hybrid Hobby Greenhouse - $$title$$

Palram Hybrid Hobby Greenhouse

  • 6 x 8 x 7 feet
  • Rigid Polycarbonate Structure
  • 5 Year Limited Warranty

Check The Price!

Abba Patio Walk-In Greenhouse - $$title$$

Abba Patio Walk-In Greenhouse

  • 6 x 8 feet
  • Powder-Coated Steel, Polyethylene Structure
  • No Specified Warranty

Check The Price!

Outsunny Polycarbonate Walk-In Garden Greenhouse - $$title$$

Outsunny Polycarbonate Walk-In Garden Greenhouse

  • 6 x 6 feet
  • Aluminum, Rigid Polycarbonate Structure
  • No Specified Warranty

Check The Price!

Nova Mini Walk-In Greenhouse Kit - $$title$$

Nova Mini Walk-In Greenhouse Kit

  • 57 x 57 x 77 inches
  • Metal Tube Frame and Polyethylene Cover
  • n/a

Check The Price!

ShelterLogic GrowIT Greenhouse-in-a-Box - $$title$$

ShelterLogic GrowIT Greenhouse-in-a-Box

  • 10 x 20 x 8 feet
  • Steel Frame and Polyethylene Cover
  • n/a

Check The Price!

Why You Should Trust Us

If you have a problem with your plants, an inquiry about your herbs, or are looking for suggestions about your seeds, Backyard Boss has got you covered.

Our team of dedicated experts knows everything there is to know about gardening through our countless years of combined experience. Whether your curious about if greenhouses are bad or not, you want to know about how to grow winter vegetables, you're looking for some thoughtful guidance on the best LED grow lights, or even what the best hanging plants are, Backyard Boss has an answer for you.

Hours and hours of research go into every guide we create, so feel assured that the products we're recommending are the best on the market.

Best Portable Greenhouse Kit

Nova Mini Walk-in Greenhouse Kit

    This mini greenhouse is super convenient, with lots of shelves and a portable design.

      Pros:

    • Lots of shelves
    • Sturdy construction
    • Very portable
      Cons:

    • Flimsy shelves
    • Hard to understand directions

WHY WE LIKE IT: Simultaneously sturdy and portable, this quality greenhouse kit balances durability and convenience.

The powder coating on this kit's high-quality metal greenhouse frame is weather-resistant, while the waterproof PE cover protects plants from cold weather. It also is UV resistant, providing protection from harmful UV rays while still allowing sun to shine through. This kit is extremely easy to assemble, requiring no tools.

WHO SHOULD BUY IT: This mini-walk-in greenhouse kit is a great fit for smaller backyards or people who want to be able to move their kit around their yard, or even from in their home to outside.

Best Rigid Greenhouse Kit

Palram Hybrid Hobby Greenhouse

    This super-simple greenhouse kit is extremely durable, easily protecting plants from inclement weather.

      Pros:

    • Durable design
    • Adjustable roof vents for temperature control
    • Long warranty
      Cons:

    • Difficult to hang plants inside
    • Requires two people to assemble

WHY WE LIKE IT: This heavy-duty greenhouse has a rigid structure, and features like additional stakes to enhance stability, which makes it a great choice for individuals who want to keep their plants super safe.

The rust-resistant galvanized steel base withstands the elements and gives the entire structure solid support. Its crystal clear polycarbonate roof and panels are virtually unbreakable and allow over 90% light transmission directly to plants. The panels slide together, making the assembly process fairly simple, however, it's a good idea to have at least 2 people to complete it.

WHO SHOULD BUY IT: If you live in an area with tough winters, this durable greenhouse is exactly what you need to keep your plants safe and thriving all season long.

Best Collapsible Greenhouse Kit

Abba Patio Walk-In Greenhouse

    This easy to disassemble greenhouse is the perfect temporary structure for your plants.

      Pros:

    • Sensible, simple design
    • Easy to disassemble
    • Roll-up windows protect against pests
      Cons:

    • Steel poles get very hot
    • Difficult to understand instructions

WHY WE LIKE IT: While ease of assembly is important for constructing your greenhouse, if you only plan on having it up temporarily, or want to take it down prior to storm season, the ease of disassembly is just as critical to consider. This greenhouse prioritizes both, being easy to build and deconstruct, while still having a sturdy design.

Its durable PE cover is weather-resistant and UV treated but still allows sunlight to pass through. This greenhouse's strong steel frame, footplates, and included pegs keep it stable. Features like its zippered openings and mosquito nets allow for excellent ventilation while deterring pests from entering.

WHO SHOULD BUY IT: This is a great greenhouse kit option for people who plan on regularly collapsing their greenhouse.

Best Small Greenhouse Kit

Outsunny Polycarbonate Walk-In Garden Greenhouse

    This mini walk-in greenhouse kit is perfect for home gardening enthusiast who are looking for an affordable, compact greenhouse.

      Pros:

    • Sliding door for easy entry
    • Galvanized steel base for more support
    • Rain gutter for collecting natural water for plants
      Cons:

    • Panels are not reinforced
    • No specified warranty

WHY WE LIKE IT: With a compact size, durable aluminum steel frame, and UV resistant paneling, you get a lot of bang for your buck when you buy this affordable greenhouse.

It comes in the compact sizes of 6 x 4 feet or 6 x 6 feet which make it an excellent choice for people with small yards or with bigger yards who don't want their greenhouse to monopolize their space. The sliding door is convenient to use and saves space inside your greenhouse. It includes convenient features, like a rain gutter which allows you to collect natural water for your plants.

WHO SHOULD BUY IT: This compact, affordable greenhouse is an excellent option for people shopping on a budget who don't want to skimp on quality.

Best Large Greenhouse Kit

ShelterLogic GrowIT Greenhouse-in-a-Box

    This easy access greenhouse delivers quality construction, easy assembly, and best-in-class value.

      Pros:

    • Powder coated heavy-duty steel frame
    • Designed for less water use and maintenance
    • Durable polyethylene fabric
    • Remarkably easy assembly
      Cons:

    • Zip up sides instead of a door"

WHY WE LIKE IT: With a massive size of 10 x 20 feet, this impressive greenhouse can shelter all of your plants with ease.

Although it's ginormous, it won't take much effort to construct, with remarkably easy assembly. Its translucent cover is UV protected and weather resistant while its aluminum steel frame is heavy-duty for continued performance throughout the years. With sturdy anchors, you won't have to worry about this large greenhouse blowing over.

WHO SHOULD BUY IT: For people who have large yards, a big budget, and lots of plants this is a worthwhile investment.

How to Decide on a Kit for You

Determining which greenhouse kit is going to work best for you can be daunting since there are hundreds of options to weed through. We've pruned away most of the competition, including only the best of the best, but still, of these 5, how will you choose one?

While each of the options on this list are incredible, they all have separate purposes and strengths, so while considering them think about your priorities, the environment you're working with, what kind of plants you want them to house, and how much green you're willing to spend on your greenhouse.

A Starter Greenhouse or a Grower?

How big do you want your greenhouse to be? This is one of the most important choices you'll make in determining which greenhouse is right for you.

Available Space

size

You have to choose a greenhouse kit that fits comfortably in your available area. If your garden area is very small, you should make sure not to get a greenhouse that's too big, or you won’t be able to fit it in the yard.

You should also consider how much of your yard you want your greenhouse to take up. Just because you have a large yard doesn't mean that you need to fill it.

While greenhouses may appeal to you as something beautiful to erect in your yard, your neighbors may not feel the same. Be sure to measure the area where you plan to put the greenhouse and mark it off with some sort of zoning tape so that you can try to picture the structure in the space.

Growing Space

When it comes to size you should also consider how many plants you want your greenhouse to hold. If it's not that many then a smaller 4 x 4 feet model will probably suffice. If you're an avid gardener with countless plants to fill it with, a 10 x 20 feet model may be more your speed.

Aesthetically, having a greenhouse that is way too big can look awkward if you can't actually fill it. Don't let a bigger greenhouse inspire you to take on more plants than you can handle though. Your greenhouse should never be considered a burden.

Greenhouse Panels and Structure

Panel2

Choosing the panel type for your greenhouse is important because opaque panels offer different benefits than clear and glass panels. For example, if you’re starting seedlings within the greenhouse and plan to move them out to the garden, you should consider something like a clear polycarbonate panel, since this creates an environment with direct lighting that promotes sprouting.

panel-type

On the other hand, diffused light is better for mature plants. If you are growing mostly mature plants then a structure with twin- or multi-walled polycarbonate panels will be a better fit for you. If you’re looking to both start new plants and mature them, there are also options for semi-diffused light.

You should also consider what structural support you want for your greenhouse. Look for one with a weather-resistant, steel frame if you want it to last.

How Your Climate Affects Your Greenhouse

Another consideration is your local climate. If you live in a place with brutal winters then you'll want to get a greenhouse with excellent insulation so that cold does not seep into it. This should be your priority since cold getting in could mean the death of your plants.

If you live in a place where the weather can change on a dime, look for features like adjustable roof vents which allow you to have total control over your greenhouse's temperature. You could also consider getting a greenhouse that easily collapses if you live in a place that experiences strong storms that could knock it over.

Questions to Consider Depositphotos_24502675_m-2015

  • How does the addition of the greenhouse here affect my ability to enjoy other activities in my yard?
  • Does the greenhouse obstruct a particular view in a way that would displease my neighbors?
  • Does the structure interfere with my view?
  • What are the zoning limitations in my city and neighborhood regarding outbuildings? Does it have to be below a certain size or height?
  • Do I need a permit before putting up my greenhouse?
  • Is this the best place to locate my greenhouse, or should I consider multiple spots to determine the best?
  • What plants do I want in my greenhouse?
  • Why do I want a greenhouse?
  • What environment do I live in?
Depositphotos_63483573_m-2015
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Perhaps as you narrow down the field to a few specific greenhouse kits you’ll be choosing from, you should take the manufacturer into consideration more closely. You’ll want to make sure that the provider of your greenhouse offers good customer service and holds to high standards with their products.

You should check the warranty information and the reviews from other buyers to assure that you aren’t diving in headfirst to something you’ll later regret, should something go wrong, and you have to return to the company with a complaint or a repair.

Why Have a Greenhouses

Perfect for overwintering plants, greenhouses protect plants from inclement weather that could kill them or stall their growth. They provide a safe environment for seedlings and young plants to thrive giving them lots of sunlight and ideal growing conditions along with UV protection and weather resistance.

Growing plants in a greenhouse is an excellent choice for avid gardeners who want to continue to plant through the winter months. If you love gardening, a greenhouse kit could be the perfect purchase for you.

How We Picked

After weeding through all of the internet's most highly-rated greenhouse kits, we settled on these 5 impressive options.

Each is the best in its category, whether that category is the best compact greenhouse, the best collapsible greenhouse, the most durable greenhouse, the best portable greenhouse, or the best large greenhouse.

When reviewing them, we considered factors like their durability, the quality of the materials they were made with, their features, the strength of their designs, and more. We looked for premium options and affordable models so buyers with all kinds of budgets could find one that appeased them.

While they are all excellent, only one is the best overall.

Conclusion

It’s hard to define a clear winner since different people have a different idea of what they need a greenhouse for. Depending on the size of your usable area, the regulations in your neighborhood, whether you are looking to grow seedlings or mature other plants, and a number of other factors, you may change your mind about what you really want to purchase.

However, as a general comparison, we’d have to declare the Palram Nature Harmony Greenhouse as the winner. It’s a great size for starting out and fits almost anywhere at 6 x 8 feet, and it’s reasonably priced at a mid-range amount. It also has a wonderful 5-year warranty.

It comes complete with the anchoring stakes, is relatively easy to assemble, and is weather-resistant for a good, long use year after year. It’s also short enough not to anger onlookers by blocking the view while also being tall enough to walk in and enjoy.

Of course, every option on this list was impressive. If you chose a different greenhouse, be sure to let us know in the comments, and as always if you found this guide helpful be sure to share it!