7 Products You Need to Make an IKEA Greenhouse

ikea greenhouse cabinet — The Spruce / Missy Schrott

Scroll through Instagram or TikTok for long enough and odds are you’ll come across at least one IKEA greenhouse that someone created from scratch. They’re so easy to make that it’s no surprise people are obsessed with them. An IKEA greenhouse is great because not only are they created in really cool display cabinets, but they also allow you to grow some plants that may need a bit more humidity.

The IKEA greenhouse is like a giant terrarium. It creates a microclimate by locking in humidity and cycling water to carbon dioxide and back again. This allows plants that thrive in humid environments to thrive in your home.

Thankfully, you don’t actually need much to create your own greenhouse at home. As long as you have space for a display cabinet, you can build your very own greenhouse with ease. All you need are a few products to get you started.

IKEA

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First things first: You need to get your hands on an IKEA display cabinet. They have so many great ones to choose from that will fit into whatever decor you may have at home. We really love the FABRIKÖR which comes in two colors and two sizes. It’s got a retro, science-lab feel to it and is the perfect foundation for your greenhouse. If you want something in a different style, all you need to do is find a glass cabinet that can be closed.

Amazon

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If you want your greenhouse cabinet to lock in humidity, you should purchase some weather stripping tape. It’s an inexpensive way of filling any gaps that you may find between the doors and the cabinet. (This step is totally optional and will only be necessary if you can see that there are spaces where air can get in and out.)

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Your plants are going to need grow lights to survive, especially if you can’t place your cabinet near a window. The best ones to get are grow light strips which you can then attach to the top of the greenhouse and to the underside of the shelves. This will ensure that your plants are getting enough light to thrive. Make sure you get grow lights that have a timer and dimming function so you can choose the right amount of time and light your plants are getting. Most have settings for 4, 8, or 12 hours.

Amazon

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Ensuring that the temperature and humidity are right inside of your greenhouse will go a long way. You don’t want it to get so humid that your plants rot, but you also want it high enough to help your tropical plants grow. With tropical plants, you want the temperature to be around 75 or 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity to be around 50 to 60%, maybe even 75%. Using a digital thermometer and humidity gauge will help you keep track of this so you can make any adjustments.

Amazon

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If you’re wondering how to regulate humidity, using a small humidifier is a great way to do this. All you have to do is fill it up with water, place it inside your greenhouse and turn it on. Some of the more expensive ones allow you to set timers as well. If you’re looking for a cheaper option you can always fill a tray with water and place it at the bottom of the greenhouse.

Sky Genius Battery-Operated Clip-On Mini Desk Fan

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In order to increase circulation inside your greenhouse so the walls don’t get moldy, you’re going to want to purchase a small fan that you can put inside. It doesn’t need to be on full blast and you don’t need to leave it on all of the time. However, turning it on for a few hours a day is a great way to keep airflow moving.

Amazon

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If you want to fill your greenhouse with climbing plants, you can hang wire racks on the back wall of your cabinet. This way you can encourage your plants to grow upwards (maybe with the assistance of a little floral wire or some S hooks). It’s a great way to maximize space and allows you to add more tropical plant varieties to your collection. If you don’t like the way the wire looks, you can always drape some moss over it. Your plants will latch onto the moss as they grow upwards.