What To Consider When Buying A Pop Up Greenhouse

You’ll quickly see, when you start shopping for a pop up greenhouse, that your choices are anything but limited. It is important to assess your needs and compare these with the products on offer. So, before we get to looking at our top picks in detail, let’s check out the things you should be looking at when purchasing your pop up greenhouse. 

Look At What’s Included

It can be all too easy to think that you are buying a pop up greenhouse, when in reality, you are buying a greenhouse cover. It may sound ridiculous, but this is unfortunately a mistake that one too many people have made in the past. 

When shopping, you want to look for an entire pop up greenhouse kit which includes the cover as well as everything you need to construct the frame. You will sometimes see companies referring to these structures as plant houses and this can make things even more confusing so be sure to remain vigilant. 

What Type Of Pop Up Greenhouse Do You Want?

Another thing that a lot of people are unaware of when buying a pop up greenhouse for their patio is that there are choices where size is concerned. If you are really pushed on space then a mini pop up greenhouse is going to be the best option. These are small structures that are essentially a covered shelving unit and provide you with several shelves on which to store your plants. 

However, it is worth keeping in mind that you will be limited on what you can grow in these mini pop up greenhouses. If you’re looking to grow large palms or other sizable plants then they likely won’t be suitable. 

Conversely, there are also a wide range of walk-in pop up greenhouses that offer a lot more space and are perfect for those who want to grow larger plants or simply more plants. While these structures still aren’t as big as a traditional glass greenhouse, they are a decent size and are ideal for placing on a patio where space may be limited. 

The downside to this type of greenhouse is that they generally don’t come with a base. This means that they must be placed directly onto the patio and for this reason, some people decide to lay down some sort of flooring beforehand. 

Can It Be Moved?

The beauty of having a pop up greenhouse is that it offers an excellent degree of portability. However, this will vary from model to model. Some of the mini pop up greenhouses will come with wheels that mean it can be moved around the patio allowing for maximum sun exposure if your garden doesn’t get full sun throughout the day. 

For larger pop up greenhouses, it should still be relatively easy to move. These structures are typically easy to erect and can be relocated as needed. You will want to check whether the greenhouse comes with stakes to hold it down, although if you are installing it on the patio, you may need to come up with more creative solutions to ensure that it doesn’t lose its integrity. 

Shape

When you think of a greenhouse, it is easy to imagine something that resembles a traditional ‘house like’ structure. But the beauty of a pop up greenhouse is that they come in so many different shapes and sizes. 

Which you choose will largely depend on the space you have available as well as your personal preference. There are traditional shaped greenhouses as well as the mini shelf-like structure we discussed, but you will also find hexagonal ones and tunnel-style pop up greenhouses. You’re somewhat spoiled for choice.

Budget

One of the best things about going to a pop up greenhouse over a glass or plastic structure is that you won’t need to spend anywhere near as much money. However, there are still more affordable ones as well as those that are a little more pricey. 

If you only want something small, it is possible to pick up a mini pop up greenhouse for less than thirty pounds. However, for something larger, you might expect to pay in excess of £100.

What Are The Benefits Of A Pop Up Greenhouse?

The biggest benefit to owning a pop up greenhouse is that there is such a wide range when it comes to size so even if you have a smaller patio, you don’t need to miss out on growing your favourite plants. What’s more, they are compact and portable so that you can move them around the garden, if you need to. When it comes to moving home, you won’t need to worry about how you will get the greenhouse to the new property as it will simply collapse back into the box and can be quickly and easily re-built at the other end.

Furthermore, a greenhouse provides you with an opportunity to grow plants that may not otherwise thrive in the UK. If you are keen to start growing your own fruit and veg to become more economical, this is a great way to do it. What’s more, if you’re new to horticultural then a pop up greenhouse is a great way to test the water without breaking the bank.

What Are The Best Pop Up Greenhouses For The Patio?

Knowing what you want is one thing but it won’t take you long to realise that the choice of pop up greenhouses is incredibly vast. But there’s no need to spend hours trawling the net for the best products. We have done the research for you and tried out a range of pop up greenhouses. While we found a lot that met and exceeded our expectations, we thought that the following seven were worthy of a special mention. 

Best Overall Pop Up Greenhouse

If you are looking for the ultimate pop up greenhouse that is just as good as any traditional structure then this is the answer you have been looking for. With a huge 2.5m x 2.5m size, this is a wonderful option if you’re looking to grow a wider selection of plants. 

The frame is made from steel which is the perfect outdoor material thanks to its ability to resist rust and corrosion. It is slightly heavier than aluminium which is often favoured for outside structures but with this you get the advantage of better stability. Moreover, the accordian style frame is easy to put up and comes with three height settings so you can adjust it to suit your needs.

The cover is made from a PE material that benefits from the ability to retain heat. However, if the walls are removed, this structure can also serve a dual purpose as a shelter or canopy. The walls come with roll up windows and doors which allow for superior air circulation and with 50+ UPF protection, you don’t need to worry about overexposure to the sun. 

Pros	Cons
Dual purpose	Not great looking
Easy to assemble – no tools required
Spacious
Strong and durable frame
Water and fire resistant

Best For Small Patios

For just a snip of the price of the Eagle Peak pop up greenhouse, you can get this wonderful compact design that would work perfectly on a smaller patio. OK, it’s not got the same amount of space but it is a walk-in greenhouse which makes it so much easier to access your plants. There are four shelves, two on either side which gives you enough room for a few pots and seedlings. 

What’s really impressive about this pop up greenhouse is that it comes with a tubular iron frame. Iron is, without doubt, one of the strongest materials and when you consider that this is reinforced by steel piping, you realise that you are getting the best of strength, stability and durability. For such a compact structure, this is seriously impressive. 

What’s more, the greenhouse comes with a PVC cover designed to trap heat providing your plants with the optimal environment and with a zippable door, you can control the air flow easily. 

However, there is one downside to this product in that it doesn’t come with ground fixings and there have been reports that it blows over in high winds. While this certainly should not be a deal-breaker, you will need to find a way to keep it secure. 

Pros	Cons
Very strong frame	Blows over in winds
Comes with four shelves
Zip door
Small footprint 143cm x 73cm x 195cm
Attractive design

Best Mini Pop Up Greenhouse

If you have a very small patio or even are having to work with a balcony, then you will need something substantially more compact. This mini greenhouse tent comes in at a ridiculously affordable cost, is small enough for very tight spaces and offers an impressive number of features that truly put it in a league of its own. 

For example, the greenhouse tent comes with four steel ground tacks to ensure maximum stability even in adverse weather conditions. As we have already learned, this isn’t a luxury afforded with every pop up greenhouse. What’s more, when you need to store the tent, it simply folds down and can be stored in any space. 

The durable Oxford fabric offers excellent water resistance and won’t easily tear. It also features a zip window so that you can have better control over the air circulation. 

Pros	Cons
Folds down for storage	Not suitable for large plants
No assembly required
70cm x 70cm x 80cm – ideal for compact spaces
Portable
Strong Oxford fabric

 Best Greenhouse With Shelves

For the corner of a patio, this compact greenhouse may have a small footprint, but it gives you lots of space to keep your plants. With four reinforced shelves, you not only have ample growing room but you can feel confident that the structure has excellent stability. This stability comes from a bering net that takes the load of each shelf as well as a powder coated tubular steel frame. 

Steel, as we have already discussed, is a strong material that is weather resistant and durable. But this tubular design also means that the metal is lightweight, meaning that the greenhouse can be easily moved around the patio without having to take it apart. Moreover, this one has seriously impressive stability and is wind resistant so you don’t need to worry when the weather turns. 

Putting the Abaseen up is beautifully easy and the frame will fit together without the need for tools, meaning you can get on with tending to your plants without being held up. 

Pros	Cons
Comes with reinforced shelves	Not great looking
Incredibly stable
Durable and lightweight
Roll up door for easy access
160cm x 49cm x 49cm – small footprint

Best Value For Money

VonHaus is potentially one of the most well known garden brands out there and to consider that you are getting such excellent quality for a ridiculously affordable price, we think this is one of the best value mini greenhouses out there. 

One of the best features of this greenhouse is that it is perfect for a smaller patio. VonHaus also advertises this as one that would work on a balcony or other limited space and we have to agree. It has a very small footprint but with four robust shelves that can take up to 8kg each, you won’t be forced into storing fewer plants than you’d like. 

Moreover, with a powder coated steel frame, this greenhouse will resist the elements and remain strong and sturdy during all seasons. Even better, the zip door means that the PVC cover will offer excellent frost protecting during those cold winter months. 

Pros	Cons
Great for small gardens	Not suitable for heavy duty use
Durable frame
Suitable for all weather
Affordable
Lightweight and easy to assemble – no tools required

Outsunny Walk-In Lean to Wall Greenhouse

If you’re looking for something that will fit in at the side of an existing structure then this lean-to style greenhouse offers the perfect solution. Made by Outsunny and coming in at a fraction of the cost of some of the more expensive walk-in options we have looked at, this one is perfect if you’re limited on space.

But you needn’t be concerned that this means space within the greenhouse will be limited. The Outsunny boasts four shelves set over two tiers giving you lots of room for your plants. What’s more, this sturdy structure is highly weather resistant and can be left up permanently. 

It offers extra strength thanks to the reinforcement of powder coated steel tube framing that supports the shelves and the weight on them. The PE cover comes past ground level so you don’t need to worry about draughts and moisture getting in from underneath. 

Pros	Cons
Spacious	A little trickier to put up than others
Easy to attached to existing building
Excellent protection from the elements
Reinforced frame for stability
Zippered door

Yorbay Greenhouse Polytunnel 

If you are looking to store plants over the winter, you need something reliable and that is going to offer ultimate protection. This polytunnel is the ideal balance between spaciousness and protection. It has a footprint of 180cm x 90cm x 90cm so will give you lots of room to store your less hardy plants during a cold snap. But more importantly, it has a super strong PE cover that is waterproof and UV resistant. 

Moreover, this polytunnel greenhouse is incredibly lightweight at just 3.75kg meaning that, if you need to, you can simply pick it up and move its location. It benefits from a tubular frame which provides your greenhouse with excellent structural integrity as well as being rust resistant so it won’t corrode over the years. 

Pros	Cons
Reinforced cover	Some users have complained of missing parts
Ideal for year round plant care
Spacious
Durable frame
Windows for ventilation

Conclusion

Installing a pop up greenhouse on your patio is a great way to provide shelter for your plants without the hassle and expense of putting up a full sized glass or plastic greenhouse. Pop up greenhouses are incredibly versatile coming in a range of shapes and sizes to suit your needs. Whether it’s a large polytunnel you require or a miniature greenhouse tent for one or two plants, this is a very affordable and convenient piece of garden equipment.