How to Turn a Cabinet Into an Indoor Greenhouse

by Ann Hayward 03/27/2022

While many houseplants are forgiving of indoor environments, some require more specific conditions. For those who love to keep tropical plants this can be an issue as it’s difficult to provide the right amount of light and humidity inside your home. Luckily, greenhouse cabinets have become a popular trend and easier than ever to set up. Here we’ll go over the basics so you can create your own miniature indoor greenhouse.

Materials

To create an indoor greenhouse using this method, you’ll need:

A display cabinet (mostly glass or plexiglass)
Weather stripping
LED grow light strips
Humidifier (or a basin of stones or pebbles)

Steps

The first and most important step in this project is finding the right cabinet. The ideal sizing depends on the number and types of plants you want to keep in it, as will the number and arrangement of shelves. If possible, choose a cabinet slightly larger than you think you need. This will make sure there is room for the plants, lighting and other features.
Once you have your cabinet, install grow lights. There are many options available in terms of size and shape but the most efficient option for your cabinet will be stick-in-place LED strips. Look for full spectrum lights that will provide the same type and amount of light as sunshine through your window. Attach the light strips to the bottoms of shelves and “ceiling” of the cabinet for best effect.
While optional, adding insulation to your cabinet will help keep a perfect temperature and humidity for your plants. Any conventional weather stripping will work just fine. Use it to add some extra seal to the edges, especially around the door or other openings.
Next you’ll want to add either a humidifier or a pebble tray to create humidity. A small tabletop humidifier will work perfectly, but you can also create humidity by filling a shallow dish or basin with pebbles and fresh water. This will gradually evaporate over time, so you will need to replenish it with fresh water occasionally.
For a useful finishing touch on your greenhouse, add a temperature and humidity meter. This will tell you the conditions inside the cabinet at a glance.

Your new cabinet greenhouse is ready for plants to move in! Your moisture-loving tropical houseplants will thrive in their new home and you’ll be able to enjoy the aesthetic beauty of them lit up by artificial sunlight.

About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]