DIY Indoor Greenhouse: Tips and Ideas

Not everyone has the yard space—or the right climate—for an outdoor greenhouse. Long winters, small apartments, or urban living can make it tough to keep plants alive, let alone thriving. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on fresh herbs, leafy greens, or tropical plants in the colder months. With a DIY indoor greenhouse, you can bring the growing season inside and enjoy gardening year-round.

Whether you’re hoping to start seedlings early, grow microgreens all winter, or create a lush tropical nook in your living room, there’s an indoor greenhouse design for you. And the best part? You don’t need to spend thousands—many setups can be built with simple materials like vinyl sheeting, shelving units, and affordable LED grow lights.

Benefits of an Indoor Greenhouse

Why go to the trouble of setting one up? Indoor greenhouses come with a long list of perks:

• Year-round growing – Fresh basil in January? Yes, please. Indoor greenhouses give you access to herbs, greens, and even vegetables when it’s too cold outside.
• Seedling starter – Get a head start on spring by germinating seeds indoors in a warm, controlled environment.
• Controlled environment – Adjust light, humidity, and temperature to match exactly what your plants need. Perfect for delicate species.
• Space saver – Indoor setups can be compact, fitting neatly on a shelf, in a closet, or in the corner of a room.
• Pest reduction – Keeping plants indoors minimizes exposure to garden pests like aphids, slugs, and caterpillars.

Choosing the Right Space

Your greenhouse’s success starts with choosing the right location. Look for a space with consistent temperature, good airflow, and adequate light.

• Sunny window or bay window – Natural sunlight cuts down on how much you’ll spend on grow lights.
• Spare room or basement – Larger spaces are perfect if you want multiple racks or a bigger setup. You’ll need grow lights here, since natural light is limited.
• Small corners – Compact setups can fit in unused nooks. Even a closet can be transformed into a greenhouse with the right ventilation and lighting.

⚠️ Avoid drafty areas or heating vents. Drafts can stress plants, while vents may dry them out too quickly.

Materials for a DIY Indoor Greenhouse

You don’t need a big budget to get started. Most materials are affordable and easy to find.

• Clear vinyl sheeting or acrylic panels – These create the enclosure. Vinyl is flexible, inexpensive, and easy to replace.
• Shelving units – Metal or wooden racks provide vertical growing space for multiple trays.
• LED grow lights – Full-spectrum LEDs are energy-efficient and designed for plant growth.
• Trays and drip pans – Protect your floors and shelving from water runoff.
• Mini humidifier or mister – Helps maintain humidity for tropical plants.
• Small fan – Keeps air moving to prevent mold and mildew.

Optional upgrades: timers for grow lights, heat mats for seed germination, or reflective foil/mylar to maximize light coverage.

DIY Indoor Greenhouse Ideas

Here are some creative ways gardeners are building indoor setups:

Bookshelf Greenhouse
Wrap a bookshelf in clear vinyl, add LED grow lights on each shelf, and you’ve got a vertical indoor garden.

Plastic Tote Seed Starter
Use large, clear plastic storage bins as mini greenhouses. Drill ventilation holes in the lid, add trays inside, and you’ve got a low-cost seed-starting station.

Cabinet Greenhouse
Repurpose an old glass-front cabinet or IKEA-style cabinet. Add grow lights and fans, and you’ll have a stylish indoor greenhouse that doubles as decor.

Mini PVC Tent
Build a small PVC frame and drape it with clear vinyl. Great for creating a dedicated, enclosed grow space that’s inexpensive and easy to move.

Controlling the Environment Indoors

Your plants can’t thrive without the right conditions. Pay attention to:

• Lighting – Place grow lights 6–12 inches above plants. Run them 12–16 hours per day, depending on what you’re growing.
• Temperature – Most herbs and vegetables do well between 65–75°F. Use a space heater or heat mat if your room runs cold.
• Humidity – Leafy greens and tropical plants prefer higher humidity (40–60%). A mini humidifier or daily misting works wonders.
• Airflow – A small fan prevents mold buildup, strengthens stems, and keeps your plants healthier overall.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the best DIY setups can run into problems. Here are the top pitfalls to avoid:

• Overwatering – Enclosed spaces hold in moisture. Always let soil dry slightly between waterings.
• Weak lighting – Regular household bulbs aren’t enough. Invest in grow lights for strong, healthy plants.
• No ventilation – Stale air can lead to fungus, mold, or gnats. Always include airflow.
• Ignoring pests – Indoor plants can still attract spider mites, gnats, or aphids. Inspect regularly.

Best Plants for Indoor Greenhouses

Not every plant thrives indoors. Stick with varieties that grow well in limited light and space.

• Herbs: Basil, parsley, mint, oregano, cilantro, chives.
• Leafy greens: Spinach, arugula, lettuce, kale.
• Microgreens: Radish, broccoli, pea shoots—fast-growing and nutrient-packed.
• Compact vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, peppers, dwarf beans (require strong lights).
• Ornamentals: Orchids, ferns, philodendrons, and other tropical houseplants.

Cost of a DIY Indoor Greenhouse

One of the best parts about indoor greenhouses is that you can scale them to your budget.

• Starter setup: $50–$100 (plastic tote greenhouse + grow light).
• Mid-range setup: $150–$300 (shelving unit, vinyl enclosure, multiple lights, fans, humidifier).
• Premium setup: $500+ (cabinet conversion, automated lights, timers, advanced humidity controls).

FAQs

Do I need special grow lights?
Yes. Full-spectrum LED grow lights are designed to mimic sunlight and are far more effective than standard bulbs.

Can I grow fruit indoors?
Yes, but stick to dwarf or compact varieties. Full-sized fruit trees aren’t practical for indoor setups.

How much space do I need?
Not much! Even a 2x3 ft shelf can hold multiple trays of herbs or microgreens.

Do indoor greenhouses smell?
Not usually. Herbs and greens have a fresh scent, though good airflow helps prevent mustiness.

Key Takeaway

A DIY indoor greenhouse makes year-round gardening possible—even in small apartments or harsh climates. With clear vinyl, shelving units, and a few grow lights, you can create a thriving plant space for herbs, leafy greens, microgreens, or tropical plants without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re a hobby gardener looking to keep fresh basil on hand or a dedicated grower wanting to start seedlings early, indoor greenhouses bring the outdoors in—and they prove that you don’t need a backyard to enjoy the magic of gardening.