Building an Indoor Greenhouse

by Tinnee Lee

Step 1

Build your metal bookcase with heavy duty screws. (a little dahlia wine never hurts)  Be sure to brace it.

A black laptop, a bottle, and a ruler with a level placed on a white surface.
Hands holding a metal shelf drilling holes.
A silver chain with two hooks lying on a white surface.
Empty black metal shelf with two vertical supports and a top and bottom shelf.
Hand holding a hook on a white background
A white lamp hanging from a black metal shelf using a metal chain and hook.
Indoor vertical planter with multiple shelves of potted plants.
Empty metal shelving unit with four black shelves against a plain wall.

Step 2

Drill holes in sides of shelves to attach S hooks.  Make your shelf heights variable to allow for different plant heights.

Step 3

Assemble shop light fixture. I used one regular fluorescent tube and one Grow light in each shop light.  Hang them from the shelves using the chains which come with the lights and the S hooks.  Set your automatic light timer for 18 hours of light.

Step 4

Wrap your shelves with plastic leaving the middlesection of the front open. Use another piece of plastic to cover the open section. With magnets to hold this piece of plastic, you can adjust the heat and humidity inside and it will allow you easy access.

Indoor plant display with multiple shelves holding various potted plants.
A window shelf holding small potted plants, a green bottle, and tissue boxes with a view of trees outside.
Woman with long dark hair wearing a cream sweater and dark vest, standing near a shelving unit.
Close-up of a shelving unit with grow lamps.
Potted plant with yellow flowers, measuring ruler, and gardening labels on a shelf, with a blurred background.
Person in a yellow jacket watering plants inside a greenhouse or garden.

Step 5.

Spritz with a dilute solution of fertilizer.

Estimated cost based on Tinnee's experience:

  • Shelving: $50

  • Shop fixture 4x$8: $32

  • Grow lights 4x$10: $40

  • Shop lights 4x$3: $12

  • Timer: $10

  • Block of plug-ins: $6

Total - (a great deal): $150