A large metal greenhouse gives you plenty of growing space
Image: a40757/Shutterstock
Choosing the perfect greenhouse can be an exciting process. There are so many types, shapes and sizes available - but how do you know which is the best for you and your garden?
To help you find your perfect match, we've brought together our top 10 favourite greenhouses:
This greenhouse has a solid half wall to conceal gardening clutter
Image: Waltons 8 x 6 Traditional Wooden Shiplap Tongue and Groove Greenhouse from Thompson & Morgan
The spacious interior of this 8 x 6 wooden greenhouse gives you ample room for staging and potting benches, so you can create a comfortable working environment for yourself. The shatterproof styrene glazing has been UV treated to protect plants from sun scorch and there’s a roof window to help with ventilation. The ethically sourced tongue and groove cladding has a ten-year anti-rot guarantee. This is a strong, sturdy greenhouse that will look great in any larger garden.
Browse all wooden greenhouses for more inspiration.
The apex roof of this greenhouse provides plenty of headroom
Image: Waltons 6 x 4 Wooden Shiplap Tongue and Groove Greenhouse from Thompson & Morgan
If you’re short on space but don’t want to compromise on comfort, this 6 x 4 wooden greenhouse is the answer. It has a smaller footprint but also an increased apex, so you - and your plants - will have plenty of headroom. The tongue-and-groove timber frame comes with a 10-year anti-rot guarantee, giving you peace of mind. Shatterproof styrene glazing lets natural light filter in, while the opening roof window lets out heat and humidity in the height of summer.
Metal greenhouses come in different colours like this green model
Image: Garden Grow Traditional Greenhouse 6.2 X 8.3 X 6.6ft from Thompson & Morgan
If you’re looking for a spacious greenhouse to grow a wide range of seedlings and produce, this 6.2 x 8.3 traditional greenhouse is a great choice. It’s low-maintenance, with a rust-proof aluminium frame that you’ll never have to paint or treat. And it’s glass free - 4-millimetre UV twin wall polycarbonate panels provide excellent heat retention and diffuse even sunlight.
This greenhouse has a sliding door that won’t slam shut in windy weather, integral rain gutters so you can collect rainwater ahead of the drier months, and a roof window to help you control the temperature and humidity.
Browse all metal greenhouses for more sizes and colours.
A small aluminium greenhouse with polycarbonate glazing is a safe option for family gardens
Image: Garden Grow Traditional Greenhouse 6.2 X 4.3 X 6.6ft from Thompson & Morgan
If you’re looking for a compact aluminium greenhouse, this 6 x 4 deluxe-edition greenhouse is a great choice. It has enough space for growing tomatoes and propagating seeds, but it won’t overpower a small garden. It’s strong and sturdy, with a corrosion-resistant frame that comes in either green or silver. Its twin-wall polycarbonate glazing is a safe, shatterproof choice for family gardens. Two of the windows open to help to lower temperature on hot days. And the heavy-duty galvanised zinc steel base gives extra strength to the structure. A great choice for smaller gardens.
A combination greenhouse/shed houses tools and seedlings
Image: Waltons 8 x 8 Wooden Shiplap Greenhouse and Combi Garden Storage Shed from Thompson & Morgan
If you can’t decide between a greenhouse for growing or a shed for storing all your garden tools and equipment, go for a combi greenhouse. This 8 x 8 combi model has tons of space for your gardening needs. The shed half of the combi greenhouse has tongue and groove cladding on floor, walls and roof, making it strong and sturdy. And the separate equipment store frees up your greenhouse for growing. Large windows and an attractive wooden frame on this side provide a warm, sunny environment both you and your plants will enjoy.
Lean-to greenhouses tuck neatly against existing walls
Image: Waltons 8 x 4 Premium Wooden Shiplap Tongue and Groove Lean To Greenhouse from Thompson & Morgan
With a lean-to greenhouse you can make the most of a sunny wall and save on space. This pent wooden greenhouse has a traditional wooden frame and fittings, making it an attractive addition to your home. Shatterproof styrene glazing also makes it a safe choice for gardens shared by children or pets. There’s an opening window in the pent roof to help regulate the temperature inside. And at 8’x4’ there’s plenty of space for seed trays, potted plants and a tomato plant or two.
This attractive potting shed greenhouse is a space-saving solution
Image: Waltons 8x6ft Potting Shed Wooden Greenhouse from Thompson & Morgan
If you want to make the most of a small garden, this clever 8ft x 6ft potting shed and greenhouse is a real winner. Compact and attractive, it combines secure storage for tools along with a dedicated area for raising seedlings and overwintering tender plants. UV-resistant, shatterproof styrene windows flood the potting area with natural light, making it a lovely place to potter about and spend time when the weather is less than appealing. It’s made in the UK from sustainable timber, and comes with a 10-year anti-rot guarantee.
This polytunnel is lightweight and easy to move
Image: Garden Grow 3m x 2m Polytunnel from Thompson & Morgan
Polytunnels provide a cost-effective alternative to a greenhouse. Our favourite is this Garden Grow polytunnel. It’s strong and sturdy, with a powder-coated steel frame and a PE cover with double-stitched seams. Netted windows with PE covers to help you control the temperature inside. This polytunnel is quick and easy to put up and disassemble. If you decide that your crops are ready to face the weather alone, simply move the lightweight tunnel to your next crop or take it down until next season.
Browse all grow tunnels for more sizes, materials and styles.
A portable mini greenhouse fits neatly into smaller gardens
Image: Garden Grow Premium Portable 6 Shelf Greenhouse from Thompson & Morgan
This no-fuss, portable mini greenhouse is perfect for germinating seeds or potting on perennials. Tall enough to stand up in but with a small footprint, it provides a comfortable greenhouse alternative for smaller gardens. The strong, powder-coated steel frame goes up in just ten minutes and packs away neatly for winter storage. The white PE cover has netted windows and a double-zipped door to help you control the temperature inside. This mini greenhouse comes with six wire-rack shelves so you can get growing straight away.
For more sizes, browse our mini greenhouse categories.
Protect delicate plants and seedlings from harsh weather with a cold frame
Image: Garden Grow Wooden Cold Frame from Thompson & Morgan
Protect delicate seedlings, non-hardy plants and vegetable beds from harsh weather and frost with this wooden cold frame. The transparent roof allows plenty of sunlight to penetrate without the risk of heat escaping. It’s strong and durable thanks to a firwood frame and polycarbonate panels. It has a hinged lid which lets you access your plants with ease. And what’s more, it looks fantastic.
Browse our cold frame category for more inspiration.
We hope you’ve found your ideal greenhouse among our top 10. If you haven’t quite made up your mind, all our greenhouse guides and resources can be found on our hub page.