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The best small greenhouse for most yards is the Palram-Canopia Mythos 6x8: aluminum frame, twin-wall polycarbonate all round, a steel base, and room for benches on both sides. If you mostly start seeds, the Hybrid 6x8 lets in more light for less money. On a tight budget, the Outsunny BloomGreen 6x8 copies the format for under $500, and the Eagle Peak 6x4 pop-up costs $125. In snow country, step up to the Riverstone MONT 8x8.
- 1Best overallPalram Mythos 6x8
First real greenhouse in a cold-ish climate on a budget; twin-wall all round for heat retention.
Wind56 mphSnow15.4 psf$689–$889typical, Oct 2026 - 2Best for seed startingPalram Hybrid 6x8
Seed starting and general growing: clear walls for light, diffused roof against scorch.
Wind56 mphSnow15 psf$505typical, Oct 2026 - 3No published wind or snow rating$450typical, Oct 2026
- 4No published wind or snow rating$125typical, Oct 2026
- 5No published wind or snow rating$800–$1,000typical, Oct 2026
- 6Best for snowRiverstone MONT 8x8
Cold/snowy regions wanting a heavy, made-in-USA aluminum kit that can be extended later.
Wind65 mphSnow24 psf$3,150–$4,150typical, Oct 2026 - 7Best small glass greenhouseJanco Sago 5x8 (Glass)
Small-footprint glass starter greenhouse with a lifetime warranty.
Wind100 mphSnow30 psf$2,800–$3,300typical, Oct 2026 - 8Best cedar 8x8Outdoor Living Today Cedar 8x8
Cedar greenhouse that looks like a garden building; ~2-day DIY assembly.
No published wind or snow rating$4,046typical, Oct 2026
A small greenhouse here means anything up to 8x8 ft (64 sq ft): big enough to walk into, small enough for a typical backyard, side yard or patio, and under the size where most towns ask for a building permit. We compared manufacturer spec sheets, retailer listings and owner reports for each kit. We haven't assembled these ourselves; here's how we research.
The best small greenhouse kits
Palram Mythos 6x8
The Mythos is the small greenhouse most other kits are measured against. It uses 4 mm twin-wall polycarbonate on the roof and all four walls, so it holds heat better than clear-wall kits and diffuses light so seedlings don't scorch. It ships with a galvanized steel base, and Eartheasy sells the full 6-ft-wide family, from 6x4 up to 6x14, so you can pick the exact length your yard allows. Published ratings are 56 mph wind and 15.4 lb per sq ft of snow.
Why it stands out
- Twin-wall panels on every side: the best insulation at this price
- Steel base included, and the same frame comes in six lengths
- Wayfair rating of 4.3/5 across 704 reviews
Watch out for
- Must be anchored to a level base; Palram-Canopia makes anchoring a warranty condition
- One widely linked owner build log describes a 6x8 wrecked by roughly 30 mph gusts before the owner swapped in locknuts and added aluminum angle bracing
- Narrow door (1'10" wide): no wheelbarrow access
Full specs
- Sizes
- 6x8 (also 6x4, 6x6, 6x10, 6x12, 6x14)
- Footprint
- 6.1 x 8.1
- Peak height
- 6.8 ft
- Frame
- Powder-coated (green/grey) or mill-finish silver aluminum frame on galvanized steel base
- Panels
- 4 mm twin-wall polycarbonate, roof and walls (diffused light)
- Vents
- 1 manually adjustable roof vent (auto opener sold separately)
- Door
- Hinged single door, 1'10" x 5'4" opening (Canopia spec), lockable with magnetic catch
- Snow load
- 15.4 lb/sq ft
- Wind rating
- 56 mph
- Warranty
- 5-year limited (Eartheasy listing)
Specs from eartheasy.com, canopia.com. Prices checked Oct 2026 and change often.
Palram Hybrid 6x8
Same frame, door and base as the Mythos, but with clear polycarbonate walls (90%+ light transmission) under a twin-wall roof. That makes it brighter for seedlings and leafy greens in spring and fall, while the diffused roof still cuts midday scorch. The trade-off is insulation: clear single-layer walls lose more heat at night than the Mythos's all-twin-wall build.
Why it stands out
- Most light of the Palram 6-ft lines, with a diffused roof
- Wayfair sale price was well below the Mythos in October 2026
- 1,061 Wayfair reviews averaging 4.1/5
Watch out for
- Clear walls insulate less, so winter heating costs more
- Same anchoring and bracing caveats as the Mythos
Full specs
- Sizes
- 6x8 (also 6x4, 6x6, 6x10, 6x12, 6x14)
- Footprint
- 6.1 x 8.1
- Peak height
- 6.8 ft
- Frame
- Rust-resistant aluminum frame, galvanized steel base
- Panels
- 4 mm twin-wall polycarbonate roof + clear polycarbonate walls (90%+ light transmission)
- Vents
- 1 manual roof vent
- Door
- Hinged single door, 1'10" x 5'4" opening (Canopia spec), lockable with magnetic catch
- Snow load
- 15.0 lb/sq ft
- Wind rating
- 56 mph
- Warranty
- 5-year limited (Canopia)
Specs from canopia.com, wayfair.com. Prices checked Oct 2026 and change often.
Outsunny BloomGreen 6x8
If the Palram price is out of reach, the BloomGreen gives you the same basic recipe (powder-coated aluminum frame, galvanized steel base, hinged roof vent, sliding door) plus a rain gutter, for $450 direct from Outsunny. The panels are single transparent polycarbonate rather than twin-wall, so treat it as a spring-to-fall greenhouse unless you add insulation.
Why it stands out
- Hard-panel 6x8 with a steel base for under $500
- Sliding door saves swing space on a narrow side yard
- Also sold in 6x4, 6x6 and 6x10
Watch out for
- Outsunny itself advises placing it against a wall and out of the wind
- No snow or wind rating published, and we found no owner consensus yet
Full specs
- Sizes
- 6x8 (also 6x4, 6x6, 6x10, 12x6, 20x8)
- Frame
- Powder-coated aluminum, galvanized steel base
- Panels
- Transparent polycarbonate
- Vents
- Hinged roof vent
- Door
- Sliding door
Specs from outsunny.com. Prices checked Oct 2026 and change often.
Eagle Peak 6x4 Pop-Up
This is the cheapest way to get a small greenhouse you can stand in. The steel frame comes pre-assembled and pops open without tools, and the PE cover has a roll-up door and two mesh windows. It's a seasonal shelter for hardening off seedlings or protecting tender plants in spring, not a permanent structure: Eagle Peak warrants replacement covers for only six months.
Why it stands out
- One person, no tools, sets up in minutes and folds away
- 4.3/5 from 4,989 Amazon ratings
- 7.4 ft tall at the peak, so you can stand up inside
Watch out for
- Owners are split on wind: some say it holds, others say it collapsed in gusts
- Film cover; plan on replacing it within a season or two
Full specs
- Sizes
- 5.9 x 3.9 x 7.4 (70.9 x 47.2 x 88.6 in)
- Footprint
- 6 x 4
- Peak height
- 7.4 ft
- Frame
- Pre-assembled pop-up steel frame (steel ceiling roof)
- Cover
- Reinforced PE film (green GH24-GRN or clear/white GH24-WHT)
- Door
- Front roll-up zipper door; 2 roll-up mesh side windows
- Warranty
- 1-year limited (frame and top)
Specs from amazon.com, amazon.com. Prices checked Oct 2026 and change often.
Yardistry 8x7
The Yardistry 8x7 is the best-selling wood greenhouse at Costco, with a 4.6/5 average from 1,033 reviewers. You get an FSC-certified wood frame with 32-inch wood base walls, double-wall polycarbonate windows and a heat-sensitive automatic roof vent, which most aluminum kits charge extra for. With Costco's $200-off fall promotion (through Oct 25, 2026), it costs about what a Mythos 6x8 does.
Why it stands out
- Automatic roof vent opener included
- Solid lower walls look like a garden building and shade pots on the floor
- Owner feedback is overwhelmingly positive
Watch out for
- Yardistry claims 10-12 hours for two people; owners report about two days
- Wood needs a water-based sealant every year
- Sold only at Costco (delivery), which has no affiliate program; see our Yardistry greenhouse review
Full specs
- Sizes
- 7.8x6.7
- Footprint
- 6.7 x 7.8
- Peak height
- 7.7 ft
- Frame
- 100% FSC-certified wood, 32" high wood base walls
- Panels
- Double-wall polycarbonate windows
- Vents
- Heat-sensitive automatic roof vent opener
- Door
- Door opening 26.75" x 76.5"
Specs from costco.com, costco.com. Prices checked Oct 2026 and change often.
Riverstone MONT 8x8
The MONT is what you buy when a lightweight kit won't survive your winters. Its heavy extruded aluminum frame and 8 mm twin-wall panels carry the highest snow (24 lb per sq ft) and wind (65 mph) ratings of any mainstream small kit we checked, and it comes with an automatic roof vent and a 10-year warranty. It's built in the USA and extends in 4-ft sections to 8x24 if you outgrow it.
Why it stands out
- 24 psf snow and 65 mph wind ratings
- Double doors with a 4-ft-wide opening
- 10-year warranty; Deluxe kit adds a bench, watering, shade cloth and a sink
Watch out for
- Low 4'10" sidewalls cramp the outer edges
- A dealer comparison notes installs can take several days
- Roughly four times the price of a Mythos 6x8
Full specs
- Sizes
- 8x8 (extends in 4-ft sections to 8x24)
- Footprint
- 8.4 x 8.4
- Peak height
- 7.5 ft
- Frame
- Heavy-duty extruded US-grade aluminum, electrostatically painted, integrated base for anchoring
- Panels
- 8 mm twin-wall polycarbonate
- Vents
- 1 roof vent with automatic opener (per greenhouse/extension)
- Door
- Hinged lockable double doors, 6 ft x 4 ft wide opening
- Snow load
- 24.0 lb/sq ft
- Wind rating
- 65 mph
- Warranty
- 10-year (Growers package 15-year)
Specs from eartheasy.com, mygreenhousestore.com. Prices checked Oct 2026 and change often.
Janco Sago 5x8 (Glass)
A 5x8 footprint fits where nothing else will: a patio corner or a narrow side yard. Janco builds the Sago in the USA from aluminum with clear tempered safety glass and a passive solar ridge vent, and backs it with a lifetime warranty. Janco states the frame is designed to exceed 100 mph wind and 30 lb per sq ft of snow.
Why it stands out
- Lifetime warranty on a buy-once greenhouse
- Clear glass for maximum light and a classic look
- Highest published wind rating of any small kit here
Watch out for
- Needs a proper foundation; no base included
- Glass costs several times more than polycarbonate of the same size
- No owner reviews we could verify
Full specs
- Sizes
- 5x8
- Footprint
- 5.0 x 8.0
- Frame
- Aluminum, 1/4" and 1/8" members, stainless/aluminum hardware
- Panels
- 1/8" clear tempered safety glass
- Vents
- Passive solar ridge vent
- Door
- Aluminum full-lite door
- Snow load
- 30.0 lb/sq ft
- Wind rating
- 100 mph
- Warranty
- Lifetime
Specs from eartheasy.com. Prices checked Oct 2026 and change often.
Outdoor Living Today Cedar 8x8
For a greenhouse that looks like a proper garden building, this Western red cedar 8x8 uses 3.5-inch posts and rafters with 6 mm Polygal twin-wall panels (R-value 1.53). Ventilation is better than on most kits: a roof vent with a Univent automatic opener (around 70°F) plus two lower wall vents for cross-flow. It arrives pre-cut and panelized, and Eartheasy puts DIY assembly at about two days.
Why it stands out
- Automatic roof vent plus two low vents
- Free freight from Eartheasy
- Pre-cut cedar panels: no cutting on site
Watch out for
- No floor included, and not returnable once shipped
- Ships unstained; finishing is up to you
Full specs
- Sizes
- 8x8 (also 8x12)
- Footprint
- 8.0 x 8.0
- Peak height
- 8.7 ft
- Frame
- Western red cedar, 3.5" x 3.5" posts and rafters, pre-cut panelized, ships unstained
- Panels
- 6 mm Polygal twin-wall polycarbonate (R-value 1.53)
- Vents
- 1 roof vent with Univent automatic opener (~70 F) + 2 lower wall vents
- Door
- 31" Dutch door
Specs from eartheasy.com. Prices checked Oct 2026 and change often.
Small greenhouse kits compared
| Model | Footprint Ft | Panels | Snow load | Typical price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palram - Canopia Mythos 6' x 8' Greenhouse Kit | 6.1 x 8.1 | 4 mm twin-wall polycarbonate, roof and walls (diffused light) | 15.4 lb/sq ft | $689–$889 | Eartheasy |
| Palram - Canopia Hybrid 6' x 8' Greenhouse Kit | 6.1 x 8.1 | 4 mm twin-wall polycarbonate roof + clear polycarbonate walls (90%+ light transmission) | 15.0 lb/sq ft | $505 | Wayfair |
| Outsunny BloomGreen 6' x 8' Greenhouse with Rain Gutter and Roof Vent | — | Transparent polycarbonate | — | $450 | Outsunny |
| EAGLE PEAK 6x4 Portable Walk-in Greenhouse Instant Pop-up (GH24) | 6 x 4 | — | — | $125 | Amazon |
| Yardistry 8' x 7' Greenhouse (Model YM12842) | 6.7 x 7.8 | Double-wall polycarbonate windows | — | $800–$1,000 | Costco |
| Riverstone MONT Greenhouse 8' x 8' | 8.4 x 8.4 | 8 mm twin-wall polycarbonate | 24.0 lb/sq ft | $3,150–$4,150 | Eartheasy |
| Janco 5' x 8' Compact Sago Glass Greenhouse | 5.0 x 8.0 | 1/8" clear tempered safety glass | 30.0 lb/sq ft | $2,800–$3,300 | Eartheasy |
| 8' x 8' Western Red Cedar Greenhouse | 8.0 x 8.0 | 6 mm Polygal twin-wall polycarbonate (R-value 1.53) | — | $4,046 | Eartheasy |
A dash means the maker doesn't publish that figure. We don't fill gaps with guesses.
What size small greenhouse do you need?
Floor area decides how much you can grow, but the width decides whether the greenhouse is usable. You need a path of at least 2 ft to walk in, so a 4-ft-wide greenhouse only gets benches along one side, while a 6-ft-wide one fits benches on both.
| Size | Floor area | Layout that works | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6x4 | 24 sq ft | One bench run, step-in path | Seed starting, a few tomatoes, overwintering pots |
| 6x6 | 36 sq ft | Benches on two sides, short path | Seedlings plus a couple of grow bags |
| 6x8 | 48 sq ft | 2 ft benches on both long sides, 2 ft path | The classic starter size: spring starts, summer tomatoes and peppers |
| 8x8 | 64 sq ft | Benches plus floor space for beds or a potting bench | Year-round growing, taller crops, room to work |
Bench space fills up faster than you expect, so if your yard and budget allow 6x10 or 8x8 rather than 6x8, take the extra room. For a deeper look at the most popular size, see our 6x8 greenhouse guide; for even smaller shelf-style units, see mini greenhouses.
How to choose a small greenhouse kit
Panels: twin-wall, clear polycarbonate, glass or film
Twin-wall polycarbonate traps an air layer, and Palram-Canopia says it gives about twice the heat retention of single-layer panels. It also diffuses light (roughly 70-82% transmission), which prevents scorch. Clear polycarbonate and glass pass 90%+ of the light but lose more heat. PE or PVC film is the cheapest and shortest-lived. If you'll grow into late fall or heat in winter, pick twin-wall. For mostly spring seed starting, clear walls are fine. More on this in our polycarbonate greenhouse guide.
Frame and base
Aluminum on a galvanized steel base is the standard for small kits. Wood (Yardistry, cedar kits) insulates better and looks nicer but needs sealing. Whatever you buy, the base matters as much as the frame: a kit sitting on uneven ground racks out of square, and the panels start popping. Our greenhouse foundation guide covers pavers, timber frames and concrete.
Snow and wind
Ratings are the clearest durability signal, and many budget makers don't publish them at all. For reference, UConn's high-tunnel engineering guide estimates that 3 inches of wet snow or 12 inches of dry snow adds about 5 lb per sq ft. A 15 psf rating therefore covers a moderate snowfall, not a big storm left to sit. In windy spots, anchor to a base with real fasteners and add bracing; the owner fixes that keep showing up are locknuts, extra diagonal braces and screws through panel clips.
Ventilation
A small greenhouse overheats fast because there's so little air volume. One manual roof vent is the norm on 6x8 kits, and it isn't enough on a sunny day. Budget for an automatic vent opener and, in hot climates, shade cloth. The Yardistry, Riverstone and cedar kits include auto openers. Our greenhouse fans and vent openers guide has the add-ons.
Assembly time
Expect a full weekend for two people on a 6x8 aluminum kit, longer for wood or heavy-duty frames. Pop-ups take minutes. If you've never built a kit, read our DIY greenhouse kits guide first.
Where to put a small greenhouse in your backyard
- Sun first. Aim for at least six hours of direct sun in winter, when the sun is lowest. Run the long side east-west so it faces south.
- Shelter from wind. A fence, hedge or house wall on the windward side helps a lot with light kits, but leave space to reach the panels.
- Level, well-drained ground. Avoid low spots where water pools.
- Close to water. You'll water daily in summer.
- Against a south wall? If the only sunny spot is beside the house, a lean-to greenhouse may fit better than a freestanding one.
Our backyard greenhouse planning guide goes deeper on placement, permits and HOA rules.
Small greenhouse mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the anchors. Light 6-ft kits catch wind like a sail. Bolt the base down before the first windy night.
- Building on bare, uneven soil. Doors bind and panels pop when the frame isn't square.
- Buying clear walls for winter growing. Clear panels are bright but cold. Twin-wall pays for itself if you heat.
- Ignoring summer heat. A closed 6x8 can cook seedlings in an hour of spring sun. Fit an auto vent opener.
- Going too small. A 4-ft-wide house has room for one bench. If you can, start at 6x8.
Alternatives to a small walk-in greenhouse
If you don't need to walk in, a cold frame adds 5-10°F over a bed for a fraction of the cost, according to University of Vermont Extension, and a portable pop-up greenhouse covers spring seed starting. If you have more space, the jump to a larger walk-in greenhouse or a 10x12 hoop house buys far more growing room per dollar. Watching every dollar? See our cheap greenhouse kits that are worth it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best size for a small greenhouse?
For most people, 6x8 ft. It is the smallest size you can comfortably walk into with benches down both sides (about 2 ft deep each) and a 2 ft path. Go 8x8 if you want to stand pots on the floor or grow tall tomatoes in beds.
How much does a small greenhouse cost?
A pop-up film greenhouse costs about $50-$150. A 6x8 aluminum and polycarbonate kit runs about $450-$900. Snow-rated or glass kits in the 5x8 to 8x8 range cost $2,800-$4,500 before the base.
Do I need a permit for a small greenhouse?
Usually not for a freestanding kit under 120 sq ft, which covers every greenhouse on this page. The model residential code exempts one-story detached accessory structures up to 200 sq ft, and many towns use 120 sq ft. Setbacks, HOA rules and any wiring still apply, so call your building department first.
Is polycarbonate better than plastic film for a small greenhouse?
For anything you want to keep more than a season or two, yes. Twin-wall polycarbonate is rigid, insulates roughly twice as well as single-layer panels according to Palram-Canopia, and lasts for years. Film covers are cheap but typically need replacing every one to two seasons.
Can a small greenhouse stay outside in winter?
A rigid kit can, if it is anchored to a level base and you clear heavy snow. Check the snow rating: most Palram kits list about 15 lb per sq ft, while the Riverstone MONT lists 24. Pop-up film greenhouses should come down before winter storms.
Where should I put a small greenhouse?
In the sunniest spot you have, ideally with the long side facing south, on level ground that drains well and out of the strongest wind. Within reach of a hose saves a lot of trips in summer.
Keep reading
Kits by size6x8 greenhouse kitsBest 6x8 kits, how many flats and tomato plants fit, and when to size up to 8x8 or 6x10.
Kits by sizeMini greenhouses4-tier and 5-tier shelf greenhouses, tabletop tunnels and mini cold frames: which one fits, and how to keep it from blowing over.
Kits by budgetCheap greenhouse kitsThe cheapest greenhouses worth buying at every budget, and the $30 of upgrades that keep them standing.
Build guideGreenhouse foundations and basesEvery greenhouse base option compared, with step-by-step timber and paver builds, squaring, anchoring and flooring.
GearGreenhouse fans and ventsExhaust fans, automatic vent openers and shade cloth, sized with the 12 CFM per sq ft rule for hobby greenhouses.
Kits by typeLean-to greenhouse kitsWall-mounted greenhouse kits, which wall to use, how to attach one safely and when you need a permit.