Greenhouses – find the right greenhouse for your garden

A greenhouse gives you more control over growing conditions and can help extend the season for vegetables, herbs, flowers and other plants. The right greenhouse depends on your available space, what you want to grow and whether you prioritise light, insulation, durability, design or price.

A polycarbonate greenhouse is a practical, low-maintenance choice for many gardens, while a glass greenhouse provides maximum natural light and a classic appearance. If you want plenty of growing space at an affordable price, a polytunnel greenhouse may be the better solution. For smaller gardens, patios or balconies, lean-to and mini greenhouses make efficient use of limited space.

Which type of greenhouse should you choose?

Different greenhouse types suit different gardens and growing ambitions.

Polycarbonate greenhouses are durable, lightweight and relatively easy to maintain. The panels provide useful insulation and are less vulnerable to impact than traditional glass.

Glass greenhouses offer excellent light transmission and the traditional greenhouse appearance many gardeners prefer. They can also become an attractive architectural feature in the garden.

Polytunnel greenhouses provide a large protected growing area for a comparatively modest investment. They are particularly useful if function, growing capacity and affordability are more important than a permanent glass or polycarbonate structure.

Lean-to greenhouses use an existing wall and are ideal where garden space is limited, while mini greenhouses and cold frames provide compact protection for seedlings, herbs and smaller crops.

If you want to combine growing with more room for relaxation and outdoor living, an orangery can provide space for both plants and furniture.

Glass or polycarbonate greenhouse?

One of the main decisions is whether to choose glass or polycarbonate panels.

Choose polycarbonate if you prioritise durability, insulation and low maintenance. The lightweight panels are practical to handle and provide a protected growing environment suited to many vegetables, herbs and flowers.

Choose glass if maximum natural light and a traditional appearance are more important to you. Glass creates the classic greenhouse atmosphere and provides excellent visibility both into and out of the structure.

Neither material is automatically the best for every garden. Your choice should reflect how you want to use the greenhouse, the location and how much maintenance you are comfortable with.

Greenhouses for small and large gardens

You do not need a large garden to enjoy greenhouse growing.

A lean-to greenhouse can make good use of a wall beside the house, garage or another suitable building. Compact greenhouses, mini greenhouses and cold frames can also provide valuable growing space on patios, terraces and in small gardens.

If you have more room and want to grow larger quantities of vegetables or other crops, a polytunnel or larger freestanding greenhouse can provide significantly more growing space.

For more extensive growing requirements, explore our commercial greenhouses, which provide larger areas for intensive cultivation and professional applications.

What size greenhouse do you need?

Think about more than the number of plants you want to grow today. Greenhouses often fill up surprisingly quickly once you begin adding pots, seed trays, shelves and different crops.

Allow enough room for plants to develop as well as space to move comfortably between them. If you want shelving, plant tables, irrigation equipment or storage inside, include these when planning the size.

A slightly larger greenhouse can provide greater flexibility as your growing ambitions develop, provided you have enough suitable space in the garden.

Where should you place your greenhouse?

Choose a location that receives plenty of daylight and is not unnecessarily shaded by buildings, fences or large trees.

The greenhouse should also be placed on a suitable, level surface with convenient access for watering, carrying plants and moving equipment. A sheltered position can reduce unnecessary exposure to strong wind, but avoid locations where nearby structures or vegetation block too much light.

Orientation can influence how sunlight reaches the greenhouse, but the best position will depend on your garden, surroundings and what you intend to grow.

Create good growing conditions inside the greenhouse

A greenhouse protects plants and creates a warmer growing environment, but temperature, ventilation and watering still need attention.

Ventilation is particularly important on warm and sunny days, when temperatures inside a closed greenhouse can rise quickly. Roof vents, doors and other ventilation solutions help release excess heat and improve air circulation.

Shelving and plant tables can make better use of the available space, while irrigation systems can make regular watering easier. Depending on what you grow, shading or additional heating may also be useful during parts of the season.

More than one way to create protected growing space

A traditional greenhouse is not always the right answer.

A polytunnel greenhouse is an affordable way to create plenty of protected growing space and is well suited to vegetables and seasonal crops.

For very limited spaces, mini greenhouses and cold frames can help protect young plants and allow you to start the growing season earlier.

If winter conditions and structural strength are particularly important, explore our snow-proof greenhouses and check the specifications of the individual model.

And if growing plants is only part of what you want from the structure, an orangery can combine a bright plant environment with room for seating, dining or relaxing.

Frequently asked questions about greenhouses

What can you grow in a greenhouse?

Greenhouses can be used for vegetables, herbs, fruit, flowers and seedlings. They are particularly useful for plants that benefit from warmer, more stable conditions or protection during the early and late parts of the growing season.

Which greenhouse is best for beginners?

A polycarbonate greenhouse is a practical choice for many beginners because it combines durability, useful insulation and relatively low maintenance. However, the best choice still depends on your garden, budget and what you want to grow.

Can you use a greenhouse all year?

A greenhouse can be used throughout the year, but the growing conditions will change with the seasons. Winter growing may require suitable crops, insulation, heating or additional light depending on what you want to achieve.

Do you need a large garden for a greenhouse?

No. Lean-to greenhouses, mini greenhouses and cold frames provide useful growing space even in smaller gardens, on patios or in other compact outdoor areas.