The most common type of greenhouse material is polycarbonate or plastic. Plastic greenhouses offer a budget friendly and sustainable option with lots of sizes and forms to choose from.
Advantages of plastic greenhouses
Polycarbonate greenhouses offer good insulation and low risk of one of the panels breaking. Plastic greenhouses insulate 40% better than glass so your greenhouse temperature will be steadier and you’ll need less heating or cooling during winter and summer. This will allow you to limit your electricity costs. On top of this, polycarbonate is a strong material and it filters the sunbeams for optimal lighting for your plants.
The biggest advantage of plastic greenhouses compared to glass greenhouse is the price. Polycarbonate greenhouses are a lot cheaper and you will have many options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a mini or a large greenhouse, polycarbonate will give you the best size for your budget.
Disadvantages of plastic greenhouses
Plastic or polycarbonate greenhouses have very little disadvantages. The biggest one for me is actually the aesthetic factor. A glass greenhouse has a certain majestic look and especially the Victorian greenhouses offer a beautiful addition to your backyard. Glass greenhouses also have a longer lifespan than polycarbonate greenhouses, as the glass will not become thinner or less qualitative throughout the years.
It’s up to you to decide if a plastic greenhouse is what you’re going for, take a look at our glass greenhouse article to compare!
Plastic greenhouse sizes
Polycarbonate or plastic greenhouses are available in many, many sizes and forms. We will help you get started to decide which kind will best fit your needs!
Best mini plastic greenhouses
The perfect starting point for a beginner greenhouse fan or for a gardening enthusiast with limited available space. Start growing one or two plants in a mini greenhouse or create a nice little indoor herb garden. A mini plastic greenhouse can easily be moved around depending on the temperature.
 | IKEA Greenhouse Indoor/outdoor White (17 ¾" x 13 ¾") | Check price |
 | LordBee Garden Portable Wooden Greenhouse Indoor/Outdoor | Check price |
Best small plastic greenhouses
A small plastic greenhouse is usually 6’x4’ and perfect for when you have some outside space you want to dedicate to growing vegetables and plants. Usually you’ll be able to stand up inside these greenhouses and have shelves on both sides.
 | Grandio Element Walk-In Greenhouse Kit (6x4, Flat Mount, Concrete Anchors) | Check price |
 | Palram Nature Series Hybrid Hobby Greenhouse - 6' x 4' x 7' Silver | Check price |
Best medium sized plastic greenhouses
A medium sized polycarbonate greenhouse will allow you to go semi professional and grow a wide range of fruits, veggies and plants. Are you willing to invest some time and money in your greenhouse? A medium sized greenhouse will give you the freedom to start easily and gradually expand (or dive in head first and go all the way from the start)!
A 6’x8’ or even a 8’x10’ greenhouse is your perfect fit!
 | Palram HG5508 Hybrid Greenhouse, 6' x 8' x 7', Silver | Check price |
 | Palram Nature Series Mythos Hobby Greenhouse - 6' x 8' x 7'- Silver | Check price |
 | NW Green Panels Large Walk-in Greenhouse, 8' x 8' Outdoor Gardening Organic Cedar Greenhouse, with All Wood and 8mm pollycabonate framing with Dutch Door | Check price |
Best large plastic greenhouses
Are you a ‘go big or go home’ kind of person? A true greenhouse pro or ambitious to become one? Then these greenhouses should be perfect for you. A large plastic greenhouse gives you the opportunity to combine many different kinds of plants and vegetables and can even double as a hide away for rainy days. Turn on the heater and enjoy your very own sanctuary.
If you heat this greenhouse, you can provide fresh vegetables for you and your family year round! Take a look at our favourite large plastic greenhouses.
 | Rion Grand Gardener 2 Clear Greenhouse, 8' x 12' | Check price |
 | Palram HG5616 Glory Greenhouse, 8' x 16', Gray | Check price |
