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You don’t need to have a huge farm with acres of land to grow plants in a greenhouse. In fact, you don’t need any land at all. Miniature greenhouses are the perfect solution for growing moisture-loving plants indoors. Plus, they’re cute!
Whether you’re looking for DIY solutions for a small apartment or want to grow things indoors during the colder months, this article will give you what you need to know to use an indoor greenhouse.
Contents
What is an indoor mini greenhouse?
Similar to a regular greenhouse, an indoor mini greenhouse is designed to protect and promote the healthy growth of your plants in an enclosed environment that you can more easily regulate than outdoors.
If you live in a drafty house in an area that experiences cold temperatures, this could be a real lifesaver for plants. Even if you don’t, it allows you to grow species that otherwise couldn’t survive in your area.
Depending on your design, an indoor mini greenhouse will also add a stylish touch to your home décor while keeping your plants happy. Plus, most models allow you to move them indoors and outdoors whenever you feel like it.
Indoor greenhouses come in different sizes, so there’s one to fit your space.
Advantages of indoor mini greenhouses
Apart from the aesthetic benefits of indoor mini greenhouses, they also help you produce organic food. People are increasingly concerned about pesticides used in the food industry, so there is a demand for chemical-free products.
That’s why people on farms and in urban areas are looking for ways to grow organic food without the risk of pesticides. The best way to make sure your food is chemical free is to grow it yourself.
Indoor greenhouses are also perfect for indoor plants that need more humidity and warmth.
You can experiment with more exotic and sensitive plants like orchids in a mini indoor greenhouse and develop your gardening skills!
Indoor mini greenhouses extend the growing season for your plants and vegetables. However, indoor greenhouses are not reserved for the cold season. You can continue to grow plants and vegetables indoors all year round.
To start
Before using a miniature indoor greenhouse, you need to decide what types of plants you want to keep there. If you want to grow a few herbs or small houseplants, just about any option will do.
If you plan on growing larger fruits and vegetables like strawberries and lettuce, you’ll need something a little bigger.
Next, decide on the design. For example, do you want a mainly functional greenhouse? Or are you looking to use it as a decorative element? If so, you can reuse a nice display case if you need a lot of grow space.
Or you can find affordable options that allow you to grow a lot of plants if style isn’t the most important consideration.
When it comes to small table greenhouses, many of them are stylishly designed. Keep an eye on antique stores for unique options.
Once you’ve decided on the size and style of the greenhouse, you need a few supplies:
- pans
- Seeds or seedlings
- Mat to protect the floor or table
- potting soil
Of course, the type of soil and pots will vary with the variety of plants, so you should do your research beforehand to ensure you have the right resources.
Then you may need additional tools depending on what you are growing and where your greenhouse is located. You might need:
- grow lights
- Heating pads
- humidifier
Consider ventilation, drainage and sunlight when planning the location of your greenhouse. Choose an area with enough sunlight and the right amount of humidity. If you don’t have the right conditions, get some grow lights and a small humidifier.
Greenhouse Options
You are really only limited by your imagination when it comes to creating a miniature indoor greenhouse. You can buy predefined options or reuse whatever is clear and included.
Greenhouses differ from terrariums in that they are freestanding structures that can hold potted plants. Terrariums are tiny and you usually plant them directly.
1. Prefabricated greenhouses
Walk into any garden store and you’ll likely find plenty of pre-made miniature greenhouse options. There are decorative ones in the shape of a house and simple ones with plastic lids.
There are also raised options that make it easier to access your plants.
Some come with built-in lighting, drainage trays, or humidifiers. Others are simply basic clear plastic over a wire frame.
2. Picture frame greenhouse
This option is for people looking for an eye-catching design for their miniature greenhouse. You cannot miss this awesome design when looking for inspiration because it is attractive and easy to make.
The greenhouse frame is made by attaching several photo frames together and leaving room for pots in the middle. The result looks like a mini house with your plants or vegetables in full view.
It is also a good way to reuse and recycle.
3. Showcase
We’ve all seen people keep a display case full of trinkets, craft supplies, or other exhibits, so why not place your plants in a display case? Not only do you get a nice display, but it’s also good for the plants.
Glass is great for allowing light to reach your plants and it allows you to look down on your beautiful plants. Glass also allows you to better control temperature and humidity and detect problems early.
This option also prevents pets from playing with your plants.
4. Plastic container greenhouse
Many of us have a pile of plastic containers for milk, soda, or takeout. As long as the container is completely transparent, you can use it as an extremely miniature greenhouse indoors or outdoors.
Just cut the circumference of the container. You can either place the mouth on top or use the bottom. The mouth is handy for letting some extra air into the container, while the bottom half without a mouth is good if you want to trap in moisture and heat.
This is a great option for experimenting with an indoor greenhouse before investing a lot of money in the design. It’s also the perfect option if you’re low on cash and want to use hardware you already own.
All you need to do is lay down a mat, tray or plastic sheet and provide a light source such as grow lights or a sunny window. Place the container on the plant like a bell.
5. Plant shelf
Another popular choice for indoor mini greenhouses is to reuse a shelf. Once you have the frame, place some sort of plastic or metal tray on each shelf to protect the wood underneath. Then place a plastic liner over the shelf to trap heat and moisture.
You can also buy pre-made shelves with a plastic cover.
6. Aquarium greenhouse
You can use aquariums to create indoor greenhouses if you want to grow herbs, small plants, or small vegetable crops. It’s great for beginners new to greenhouse maintenance or kids who want to experiment.
You don’t have to start from scratch with this design because you can buy used or new aquariums online.
Fill it with several inches of soil, depending on the type of plant, and transplant. Cover the top with a piece of perforated fabric and hang a light over it if it’s not near a window.
How to use your indoor greenhouse
Growing in an indoor greenhouse is not much different from growing in an outdoor greenhouse. They generally stay warmer and wetter than the surrounding medium, allowing you to grow a wider range of plants.
Hang lights to provide supplemental lighting for plants that need full sun conditions.
If you use supplemental lighting, you can place your greenhouse anywhere. Alternatively, place the greenhouse near a window, but not where it will be exposed to direct, bright afternoon sun. It could burn most plants and get too hot.
Remember that because the greenhouse is more humid, you have to watch out for fungal problems and you’ll probably want to water less often.
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