How I Made My Own IKEA Greenhouse!

Winter was coming, and my warehouse got very cold, so I needed a way to keep tropical plants alive. I set up compact indoor greenhouses using IKEA-style cabinets, added lights and airflow, used the right soil mixes, and moved them into the office where temperatures were stable. In this guide, I’ll show you how I built it, what problems to avoid, and how you can recreate the setup at home.

Key Takeaways:

• Narrow cabinets fit small spaces, perfect for a mini plant world and for propagating.
• Power standards matter, check plug types before you start.
• Test light intensity front to back, avoid hot spots, and plan cable routes early.
• Airflow is critical, quiet USB PC fans keep humidity even and help prevent mold.
• Do not chase a perfect seal, tiny leaks help keep humidity from hitting 100 percent.
• Heat the soil first in cold rooms, heat mats are more effective than heating air.

Why I Needed Indoor Greenhouses

The warehouse is uninsulated and last winter, many plants did not make it due to the cold. The goal this time is to create a protected, warmish microclimate so at least some tropicals thrive.

Choosing Narrow Cabinets for Small Spaces

Regular greenhouses would not fit the area, so I went with long, narrow display cabinets. They are perfect for a compact plant space in the office and for starting propagations.

Power Setup: EU vs US Plugs

The light came with a North American plug, but we are in the EU. I took a quick trip to the hardware store for an adapter, then got back to the build.

Assembly and Time Investment

Total assembly time was about 4 hours for the first cabinet. After that, testing and adjustments continued.

Testing Light Intensity and Placement

I measured how bright the back is versus the front. Because of the cabinet design, hanging exactly in the middle was tricky, so I positioned the fixture toward the back and checked for hot spots before finalising the setup. For a deeper dive into how to light your plants effectively, check out all I know about lighting for your plants!

Managing Cables

With help from the cameraman, cable management took roughly another hour. Plan this early and keep things loose until the layout is final.

Choosing the Office Location

I moved the greenhouses into the office. The office has heating, outside the office does not, so plants benefit from warmer air while I can keep an eye on growth, especially for rare plants.

Airflow is Critical

Air movement prevents mold and keeps plants healthier overall. It also spreads humidity more evenly, which reduces the risk of fungal growth. For more tips on managing mold, learn simple and effective ways to get rid of mold on potting soil.

Adding Quiet Fans

I used small, low-profile USB PC fans. They are silent, widely available, and deliver gentle airflow, which is exactly what you want inside a cabinet. Since there was no factory hole in the steel, I made my own mounting solution.

Should Cabinets Be Airtight?

Some people aim for airtight cabinets. I chose not to. Tiny gaps allow humidity to vent and help airflow, which keeps the environment stable. If you grow species that prefer very high humidity, you can adjust this to your own preferences.

Difficulty Rating

I expected a 4 out of 10, it ended up closer to 7.5. The difference was because of the cable routing, drilling, and optimizing placement.

Managing Humidity and Temperature

Humidity should settle once more plants go in. Temperature is the main challenge, so the plan is to use heat mats. When warming plants in cold spaces, heat the soil first, not the air.

Warmth and moisture encourage rapid root development. Using a pot volume calculator helps ensure plants are not overpotted and roots remain vigorous.

Next Steps

Version one is running, but the plant selection is still lacking a bit. I will move in some rarer plants from elsewhere and likely add a few new ones. Then I will monitor how the cabinets develop.

Once your greenhouse is running smoothly, plants often show faster growth and new shoots. This is a great time to start propagating your plants and expand your collection naturally.

Conclusion

Compact cabinets can become effective indoor greenhouses in cold seasons when you plan lighting, airflow, and power carefully. Do a quick plug check, route cables before tightening screws, and use silent USB fans. 

A successful greenhouse relies on healthy soil as much as temperature and light. Choosing a high-quality potting mix ensures your plants get the foundation they need to thrive indoors.