12 DIY Greenhouse Plans You Should Download Today (2024)

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Stacy Fisher

Stacy is an expert writer for The Spruce covering home DIY projects and crafts. She has over 18 years of journalistic experience, appearing as a DIY expert on the Dr. Oz Show and several radio shows. She has published hundreds of articles and co-authored a book.

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Updated on 02/02/24

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12 DIY Greenhouse Plans You Should Download Today (2)

There are plenty of ways to make a cheap, simple DIY greenhouse, whether you construct it from a kit or build it from scratch using one of these free plans. The result will be a homemade backyard greenhouse that allows you to grow your favorite flowers, vegetables, and herbs all year long.

Greenhouses provide seedlings and plants with warmth in the winter and cool in the summer, letting you participate in your favorite hobby every day of the year.

Building a DIY greenhouse is simple to do, regardless of the size you want or the budget you have. Here are 12 free greenhouse plans to get you started.

01 of 12
Barn Greenhouse

This free greenhouse plan is for a barn-style greenhouse that will help you grow your plants while looking stylish with its sturdy corrugated metal and greenhouse plastic sides. You should choose this greenhouse if you're looking for a beautiful structure and have the land to do so.
The free greenhouse plan includes photos, diagrams, a materials and tools list, written instructions, and videos.
Barn Greenhouse from Ana White
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02 of 12
GeoDome Greenhouse

Northern Homestead has shared its free plan for building its GeoDome greenhouse. Use this plan and you'll get a greenhouse that's lightweight yet secure, absorbs lots of light, has a lot of ground growing space, and one that makes quite the statement. There's a materials list, tools list, written directions, diagrams, and photos to help you build it.
It also has other posts on its greenhouse about how to arrange plants within it, how to cover it, how to add a hot water tank, and more.
GeoDome Greenhouse from Northern Homestead
03 of 12
Greenhouse With Sleeping Loft

If you're feeling ambitious, then this free greenhouse plan from Mother Earth News might be just for you. You'll get a completed greenhouse that's solar-heated and even has a sleeping loft, which almost makes this a tiny house.
Scroll through the pages of this free greenhouse plan to find a materials list, images, and directions for building this great-looking greenhouse, all for under around $4,000 even with purchased materials and some hired helping hands.
Greenhouse With Sleeping Loft from Mother Earth News
04 of 12
Polythene Greenhouse

This free greenhouse plan by BuildEazy is conveniently built out of mostly 2-by-4-inch wood studs. Click through this free greenhouse plan to find shopping lists, directions, and diagrams. There are also photos of the greenhouses built by other readers who have used this simple greenhouse plan.
Polythene Greenhouse from BuildEazy
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05 of 12
14-Foot Greenhouse

HowToSpecialist has a free wood greenhouse plan that will only take you a few weekends to build. Included in the free greenhouse plans are a materials list, diagrams, tools list, and tips.
14-Foot Greenhouse from HowToSpecialist
06 of 12
Recycled Window Greenhouse

Instructables has a free greenhouse plan that uses a unique building material—old windows. It's one of the cheapest ways to build your own greenhouse if you can scavenge up a few windows that are about to be tossed.
Use all different shapes and sizes to make a bold statement that really creates some interest. It creates a great-looking structure that's environmental and budget-friendly. There are lots of color photos and written instructions to help you build one for your yard.
Recycled Window Greenhouse from Instructables
See Also
12 DIY Greenhouse Plans for Gardeners on a Budget
07 of 12
16-Foot Greenhouse

This free greenhouse plan by HowToSpecialist will give you everything you need to build a 16-foot-long greenhouse that's perfect for your backyard. You'll be able to grow your own vegetables, all year around with this DIY greenhouse. This free greenhouse plan includes lots of diagrams and illustrations along with written instructions.
16-Foot Greenhouse from HowToSpecialist
08 of 12
10-Foot Greenhouse

Here's another free greenhouse plan from HowToSpecialist. This plan for a small DIY greenhouse is perfect for a small backyard. If you'd like to have a bigger greenhouse, you can adjust these plans for your space. It's a pitched roof with a door, giving everything you need for a successful greenhouse.
You can use the written instructions, materials, and tools list, as well as tips and diagrams to build this greenhouse.
10-Foot Greenhouse from HowToSpecialist
Continue to 9 of 12 below
09 of 12
Little Window Greenhouse

Make a DIY greenhouse cheap with free materials you thrift. This free greenhouse plan from Crafts a la Mode takes some old windows and makes them into a greenhouse just big enough for a few plants. It's a gorgeous greenhouse that doubles as yard decor.
The best part is that you can easily add more windows to make this larger if you'd like. It's certainly a unique look that's going to look great in any yard. There are lots of photos taken along the way to show you how to build it. This is an easy project that even the beginner can handle.
Little Window Greenhouse from Crafts a la Mode
10 of 12
Arched PVC Greenhouse

Here's a free plan by PVC Plans for an arched greenhouse that uses PVC pipes. Download the free greenhouse PDF plan and you'll get a material list, diagrams, and written directions. This is a great starter greenhouse if you're just starting to experiment with growing in a greenhouse.
PVC pipes are also pretty affordable and using them is a budget-friendly way to build a greenhouse. This greenhouse is arched and includes two doors, one in the front and one in the back.
Arched PVC Greenhouse from PVC Plans
11 of 12
32-Foot Greenhouse

FloridaGardener.com has a bigger greenhouse plan that you can print and use for free. A combination of wood and PVC pipes are used to build this large, hooped greenhouse that's 32 feet by 10 feet by 10 feet.
There's plenty of room for all your plants and vegetables and you won't have to worry about outgrowing this greenhouse anytime soon.
32-Foot Greenhouse from Florida Gardner
12 of 12
8-by-10-Foot Greenhouse

BuildEazy has another free DIY greenhouse plan, this one builds a large 8-by-10-foot greenhouse that you'll be able to fit all kinds of plants into. There are 13 pages in this free plan that includes drawings, photos, diagrams, and instructions on how to build it.
8-by-10-Foot Greenhouse from BuildEazy

FAQ

Is it better to build your own greenhouse or hire a professional?

The answer will depend on how customized and large you want your greenhouse to be. Many hardware stores sell building kits for standard greenhouses you can build yourself. If you want something bigger or more customized, you may want to hire a professional.
What is the most inexpensive way to build a greenhouse?

The most inexpensive way to build a greenhouse is to purchase a standard greenhouse-building kit from a hardware store.
Where is the best place to put a greenhouse?

The best spot for a greenhouse would be either on the south or southeast side of your home since this usually receives the most sun during the winter months.

12 DIY Greenhouse Plans You Should Download Today (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to build a greenhouse? ›

Consider using PVC pipes or rebar for the frame; these materials are durable and budget-friendly. For the covering, opt for UV-resistant plastic sheeting, which is affordable and effective. Don't forget to scour local classified ads or building supply stores for surplus or discounted materials.

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What direction should a greenhouse face? ›

For those in the Northern hemisphere, the length of the greenhouse (longer dimension) should face south as this is where the majority of light comes from. The north side of the greenhouse will collect little, if any light, and should be insulated to reduce heat loss.

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How do you vent a homemade greenhouse? ›

For effective ventilation:

Open all doors and vents on sunny days. These can be left open at night if the temperature remains high. It is sometimes necessary to temporarily remove panes from glasshouses to assist ventilation in heat waves. Fit automatic vent openers to ensure roof vents open even when you are not ...

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What material to use for DIY greenhouse? ›

Galvanized steel is also common, and small, lightweight greenhouses often have PVC frames. DIYers routinely build frames from wood because it's the easiest material to cut and fasten. The covering is what actually protects plants from the elements while providing the light they need to grow.

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What is a cheaper alternative to a greenhouse? ›

Summer houses, sheds and outbuildings with lots of windows and natural light are sturdy and inexpensive options for a greenhouse. Try swapping wood panels for extra large windows or a glazed front half with cost-effective greenhouse glazing.

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What is the easiest base for a greenhouse? ›

Integral Base

This is by far the easiest option, as it does not require any further building or construction, as it forms part of the frame itself. The greenhouse can be set straight down onto a level, solid surface and secured into place.

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Do greenhouses need sun or shade? ›

Ideally, greenhouses should be sited where they can receive uninterrupted sun throughout the day.

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How do you lay out the inside of a greenhouse? ›

Divide Your Greenhouse into Zones. Organizing your greenhouse into zones will help you maximize space in an efficient manner. The most common way is to separate the space inside your greenhouse into four areas: a potting area, a storage area, an area for plants, and an area for trash.

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Where not to put a greenhouse? ›

It's not a good idea to place a greenhouse underneath any tall trees as they greatly reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches your plants. This is made even worse when the glass gets dirty from bird droppings and sticky pollen.

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What color should the inside of a greenhouse be? ›

Greenhouse frames contribute to light in the greenhouse too

Thick or dark colored frames tend to absorb light creating shadows. The greenhouse interior should have as much white surface area as possible.

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Can a greenhouse get too hot? ›

Ideally, anywhere between , 80-85°F (26-29°C) is the golden standard throughout the spring and summer months. Anything higher than 90°F (32°C) is cause for alarm. We suggest monitoring your greenhouse temperatures with a good thermometer.

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Is it cheaper to build or buy a greenhouse? ›

If you purchase a standard greenhouse kit with no frills, it will likely cost less than it would to build a greenhouse from scratch. However, if you want a customized large greenhouse, it will be more cost effective to build it yourself.

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Does a greenhouse have to be on level ground? ›

Set your greenhouse on level ground

Definitely don't site it at the base of a slope, as this is often a frost pocket where coldness lingers – which doesn't make for successful winter growing.

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How does a greenhouse stay warm in the winter? ›

Solar energy, direct from the sun passing through the walls, is the first and most important heat source for a plastic or glass greenhouse. The electromagnetic radiation of the sun will heat all the objects inside the greenhouse, including any large thermal mass that you may have put there.

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12 DIY Greenhouse Plans You Should Download Today (2024)

FAQs

References