Best Mini Greenhouses UK: Compact Growing for Small Spaces
A mini greenhouse gives you space for growing when a full-sized model will not fit. The Access Exbury 3x5 offers freestanding growing space with sliding panels and eight shelves. Wall-mounted models suit sheltered patios, while cold frames are handy for seedlings. We have supplied over 2,000 mini greenhouses since 2012. Here are useful options for different spaces and budgets.
Key Takeaways
- Freestanding option: Access Exbury 3x5 (£1,125), with sliding front and rear panels and 4mm toughened glass.
- Ground-level growing: Elite Min E Lite 4x2 (£249), with a choice of glazing and finishes.
- For a suitable wall: Access Harlow 2x3 (£355), with sliding access panels.
- Best premium lean-to: Vitavia Ida 900 (£339) - green aluminium frame, toughened glass, 2x4 wall-mounted
- Glazing varies by model. Compare the glass and polycarbonate options on each product page.
- Free UK delivery on every mini greenhouse in our range
Shop the Access Exbury 3x5 Mini Greenhouse →
Installer's Note
Start by checking how you will reach your plants. Sliding panels are useful on narrow patios, while opening lids suit low crops. Allow space for watering and ventilation, then follow the model's fixing instructions. A small growing area can be very productive when it fits your routine.
What is a mini greenhouse and who needs one?
A mini greenhouse is a compact growing structure under 3ft wide and typically 4-6ft tall. They're designed for gardens where a full-size greenhouse won't fit - terraced house yards, balconies, patios, courtyards, and narrow side passages.
Mini greenhouses come in three main formats:
- Freestanding growhouses - stand anywhere on a flat surface, usually 2-3ft wide and 4-6ft tall
- Lean-to models - bolt against a south or west-facing wall, borrowing heat from the house
- Cold frames - low-profile, ground-level units for hardening off and overwintering
Our mini greenhouse range includes different frame finishes, glazing options and access arrangements. Access growhouses include toughened glass; the Palram Canopia Plant Inn uses polycarbonate. Choose around the crops you want to grow and the room available.
Our guide to growing in small gardens covers more options if you're weighing up mini greenhouses against other compact growing solutions.
Best freestanding mini greenhouses
Freestanding models sit on any flat, hard surface - a patio slab, concrete pad, or levelled gravel area. They don't need a wall to lean against, which gives you more placement flexibility.
Access growhouse 2x4 - best value under £600
The Access 2x4 Growhouse is the entry point for serious mini greenhouse growing. At 2ft wide and 4ft deep, it fits against a fence or freestanding on a patio. Two shelves inside give you growing space on multiple levels, and the sliding doors mean you don't need clearance for a door swing - useful in tight corners.
Shop the Access 2x4 Growhouse →
The Access 2x4 costs £554. Sliding panels make it convenient for tending plants where space is limited.
Access city growhouse 2x3 - best for urban balconies
The City Growhouse was designed specifically for balconies and courtyards. The anthracite grey finish looks contemporary against modern brickwork and rendered walls. At just 2ft x 3ft, it occupies less floor space than a small bistro table.
Shop the Access City Growhouse 2x3 →
Two internal shelves maximise vertical growing space. The sliding front panels give full access without needing swing clearance. At £799, it's positioned as a mid-range urban growing solution.
Access herb house 1x3 - best for doorstep growing
At just 1ft wide and 3ft deep, the Herb House is the smallest mini greenhouse in our range. It sits beside a back door, on a narrow balcony, or tucked against a fence. Despite the compact footprint, three internal shelves give you enough space for 15-20 herb pots.
Shop the Access Herb House 1x3 →
At £391, it's ideal for anyone who just wants fresh herbs year-round without dedicating serious garden space. Available in 7 colours to match your exterior.
Access mini greenhouse on wheels - best for flexibility
The only wheeled mini greenhouse we sell. Lock the wheels when it's in position, then roll it to follow the sun or bring it under cover in storms. The 2ft x 3ft footprint and castored base make it genuinely portable.
Shop the Access Mini Greenhouse on Wheels →
At £816, you're paying a premium over the fixed growhouses for the mobility. Worth it if your garden has limited sun positions or you rent and want to take it with you when you move.
Best lean-to mini greenhouses for walls and fences
Lean-to mini greenhouses use an existing wall as their back. A sunny wall can provide shelter and store some daytime warmth. Choose a position with enough light for your crops and room to open the panels.
Access harlow 2x3 - best budget lean-to under £350
The Harlow is a compact lean-to at £355. Check the wall is sound and choose fixings suited to its construction. Sliding panels give you access without a door swinging into the path.
Shop the Access Harlow 2x3 Lean-To →
Available in 7 colours including anthracite grey, dark green, and cream. The colour range means you can match it to your window frames or fence colour rather than settling for standard silver aluminium.
Access hampton 2x3 - best premium lean-to
The Hampton is the premium lean-to option. At £595, you get a wider aluminium profile, deeper shelving, and a more substantial wall mounting system. The 2ft x 3ft footprint is the same as the Harlow, but the build quality is a step up.
Shop the Access Hampton 2x3 Lean-To →
Available in 7 colours. The Hampton's wider aluminium sections give it better wind resistance - important if your wall faces the prevailing south-westerly weather. For a full exploration of what you can grow in a compact setup, our small greenhouse growing guide covers the techniques that maximise output from limited space.
Matt's Tip: Wall Selection for Lean-To Mini Greenhouses
A south-facing wall suits sun-loving crops, although you may need shading in summer. An east- or west-facing position can work too. Watch where the sun reaches your garden before choosing. The wall should be sound and even, with suitable fixings for its material.
Best cold frames for ground-level growing
Cold frames sit at ground level and open from the top. They're designed for hardening off seedlings, overwintering dormant plants, and growing low crops like lettuce, radishes, and herbs directly at soil height.
Elite min e lite 4x2 - best budget cold frame
The Elite Min E Lite 4x2 starts at £249. Its aluminium frame includes two roof vents and floor-fixing brackets. Toughened glass and polycarbonate options are available, along with powder-coated finishes.
Shop the Elite Min E Lite 4x2 Cold Frame →
The Min E Lite also comes in 6x2 and 8x2 sizes if you need more growing length. All three sizes share the same build quality and colour options.
Access 6x4 aluminium coldframe - best for serious growers
At 6ft x 4ft, this is a proper working cold frame. The extra 4ft depth gives you room for full seed trays laid out in rows. Twin hinged lids open independently, so you can ventilate one half while keeping the other closed for warmth.
Shop the Access 6x4 Coldframe →
At £579, the larger cold frame provides room for batches of seedlings. Use it alongside a greenhouse to harden off young plants before planting out.
Palram canopia plant inn 4x4 - best raised cold frame
The Plant Inn is different from traditional cold frames. It's a raised growing station with built-in planting beds at waist height. No bending down. The polycarbonate panels and UV-protected frame suit gardeners who want a contained growing environment without kneeling on the ground.
Shop the Palram Canopia Plant Inn 4x4 →
At £344, the Plant Inn suits gardeners with mobility issues or anyone who prefers container growing at a comfortable height. The 4ft x 4ft footprint fits on most patios. Our propagation guide covers how to get the most from covered growing spaces like this.
 View and buy Vitavia 2x4 Green IDA 900 Lean To Greenhouse - Toughened Glass |
Vitavia Ida 900 for a compact wall spaceBest For: South-facing walls where you want a proper lean-to greenhouse in a compact footprint Useful features: The green Ida 900 has a sliding door, one roof vent and 3mm toughened glass. Its compact wall-mounted format suits patios and walled gardens. Price: £339 |
Mini greenhouse vs cold frame vs grow house: what's the difference?
These three terms get used interchangeably, but they describe different structures with different growing capabilities.
| Feature | Mini Greenhouse / Growhouse | Cold Frame | Lean-To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 4-6ft tall - stand-up access | 1-2ft tall - ground level | 4-6ft tall - wall-mounted |
| Access | Sliding doors or hinged door | Hinged top lid | Sliding front panels |
| Best for | Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, overwintering | Hardening off, lettuce, radishes | Year-round herbs, tender plants |
| Placement | Any flat surface | Ground level, open or against wall | Against south-facing wall |
| Winter warmth | Sheltered growing space; monitor overnight temperatures | Extra shelter for low crops | Wall shelter; temperature varies with the site |
| Price range | £419 - £1,599 | £249 - £659 | £320 - £749 |
| Shelving | 2-4 levels included | None - ground growing only | 2-3 levels included |
The bottom line: If you want to grow tomatoes, peppers, or train climbing crops, you need a growhouse or lean-to with vertical height. If you're focused on propagation, hardening off, and salad crops, a cold frame is more practical and cheaper.
What can you grow in a mini greenhouse?
Choose compact crops that fit the available height and light. Shelves are useful for small pots; taller plants need clear space above them.
Spring and summer crops:
- Tomatoes - bush varieties (Tumbling Tom, Totem) work best in the confined space
- Peppers and chillies - thrive in the extra warmth, compact plants suit shelved growing
- Herbs - basil, coriander, parsley, mint, chives - year-round in a lean-to
- Strawberries - grow in pots on shelves, protected from birds and slugs
- Cucumbers - compact varieties like 'Mini Munch' trained vertically
Autumn and winter crops:
- Winter lettuce - 'Arctic King', 'Winter Gem' crop right through to March
- Spinach and chard - cut-and-come-again through the cold months
- Overwintering tender plants - pelargoniums, fuchsias, citrus
- Spring bulbs - force hyacinths and narcissi for early indoor blooms
Our seed starting guide covers germination techniques that work in mini greenhouses as well as full-size models.
How to choose the right size mini greenhouse
Measure your available space first, then match it to the closest model. Leave 30cm clearance around the unit for access and airflow.
| Space Available | Best Model Type | Growing Capacity | Price From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow balcony (1ft wide) | Access Herb House 1x3 | 15-20 herb pots on 3 shelves | £391 |
| Small patio (2ft x 3ft) | Access City Growhouse 2x3 | 2 shelves, 10-12 pots per shelf | £799 |
| Standard patio (2ft x 4ft) | Access Growhouse 2x4 | 2-3 shelves, 4-6 grow bags on floor | £554 |
| Garden corner (3ft x 5ft) | Access Exbury 3x5 | Sliding panels, eight shelves and removable centre staging | £1,125 |
| Against a wall (2ft x 3ft) | Access Harlow Lean-To 2x3 | 2 shelves, borrows wall heat | £355 |
| Ground level (4ft x 2ft) | Elite Min E Lite Cold Frame | 6-8 seed trays or 20+ lettuce | £249 |
What should you look for in a mini greenhouse?
Look for easy access, enough growing height and a glazing option you are comfortable with. Shelving helps with seed trays, while removable shelves give taller plants room as they grow.
Check which fixings and accessories are included before ordering. Our small greenhouse range gives you more room if you have space for a larger model.
Tips for getting the most from a mini greenhouse
Positioning: Face the glazed side south or south-west. Even freestanding models benefit from shelter - place them against a wall or fence to reduce wind exposure on at least one side.
Ventilation: Open doors or lids on sunny days. Small growing spaces warm up quickly, so leave access easy enough to adjust them as the weather changes.
Shelving: Use every level. Heavy pots (tomatoes, peppers) on the bottom shelf or floor. Light seed trays on upper shelves where it's warmest. Herbs in the middle where you can reach them easily.
Watering: Check daily in summer - the small soil volume in pots dries out fast under glass. A drip tray under each pot catches excess water and raises local humidity. Capillary matting on each shelf helps maintain consistent moisture levels and reduces daily watering frequency.
Overwintering: Use a minimum thermometer to see how cold the growing space gets. Horticultural fleece can help during cold spells. Move tender plants somewhere frost-free when needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best mini greenhouse to buy in the UK?
The Access Exbury 3x5 suits gardeners wanting a freestanding growhouse. It has sliding front and rear panels, eight shelves and removable glass centre staging. For a narrower space, consider a wall-mounted model or a smaller growhouse.
Are mini greenhouses any good?
Yes, mini greenhouses are useful for growing in a small space. They shelter seedlings and give compact crops a warmer growing spot. Match the model to the light, access and space available in your garden.
Can you grow tomatoes in a mini greenhouse?
Yes, compact bush tomatoes suit many mini greenhouses. Tumbling Tom and Totem are useful options. Allow room for a suitable container and the plant's mature spread, with easy access for watering.
What is the difference between a cold frame and a mini greenhouse?
Cold frames are low; mini greenhouses usually offer more growing height. Cold frames are useful for hardening off seedlings and low crops. Taller growhouses provide shelving or space for larger plants. Check the access and glazing on each model.
Do mini greenhouses protect from frost?
Mini greenhouses provide shelter, but can still freeze inside. Use a thermometer during cold spells and add fleece where needed. Tender plants may need moving to a frost-free space.
How long do mini greenhouses last?
A well-maintained aluminium growhouse can give many years of use. Clean the glazing, keep sliding channels clear and check fixings periodically. Replace worn parts when needed; warranty cover varies by model.
