Growing your produce is one of the most rewarding activities you can engage in. And a small greenhouse can help you achieve this. After selecting and purchasing the best greenhouse, the next step is to look for the best shelves for greenhouse.
Since not everyone lives in a warm climate, that’s where greenhouses come in. Their unique heat-trapping abilities make growing even the most fragile crops easy in harsher, colder climates.
With thousands of products on the market, choosing reliable shelving for greenhouses can be overwhelming. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be; greenhouse shelving systems are relatively straightforward, as we’ll see now.
So, we will list the top greenhouse shelving ideas you can choose from. But before we count down to the best shelf for greenhouse space, let’s first see what makes for suitable greenhouse shelving.
Best-Of by Category
| Category | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Adjustable Shelving | Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Adjustable Shelving Unit |
| Best Heavy Duty Shelving | Amazon Basics 3-Shelf Heavy Duty Shelving Storage Unit on 2″ Wheel Casters |
| Best Double Tier Shelving | EAGLE PEAK Greenhouse Shelving Staging Double 4 Tier |
| Best for Small Greenhouses | FIAWOJA 7 Tier Bamboo Plant Holders |
Best Shelves For Greenhouse To Buy
Now that you’re familiar with what to know before buying greenhouse shelving, you can look for the one best suited for your growing needs. Note that all dimensions on the list are listed in order of length, width, and height.
Counting down, here are our top 7 picks for the best shelves for greenhouse use that you can buy today:
1. Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Adjustable Shelving Unit
Key Features:
- Steel alloy material
- Black chrome coating finish
- 5 tier shelving
- Adjustable wire racks
- 31.06 pounds weight
- 350 pounds weight-holding capacity per shelf
- Dimensions: 36 x 14 x 72 inches
We have the Amazon Basics 5-Shelf Adjustable Shelving Unit to start our list. Right off the bat, this is a huge shelving unit with lots of space. Standing 72 inches tall with five-tier shelving, it has a whopping weight-holding capacity of 350 lbs per shelf, making it an ideal unit for bulk growing.
The unit is made of a light-steel alloy, weighing only 31.06 pounds. The lightweight material makes it relatively easy to move around, despite being made of metal.
The shelves are made of wire and are adjustable in one-inch increments. That means you can customize the racks according to the needs of your plants.
It has a black chrome coating finish, which prevents rust and corrosion, and looks gorgeous.
If 5-tier shelving is too much for you, the unit is also available in 3-tier and 4-tier shelf versions, each having separate weights and dimensions.
2. Amazon Basics 3-Shelf Heavy Duty Shelving Storage Unit on 2″ Wheel Casters
Key Features:
- Steel body construction sign
- Chrome coating finish in two color choices (black/chrome)
- Adjustable wire racks
- Removable 2-inch wheel casters
- Easy Assembly
- 3-tier shelving
- 10.35 pounds weight
- 22 pounds weight-holding capacity per shelf
- Dimensions: 23.2 x 13.4 x 32.75 inches
This Amazon Basic 3-Shelf Heavy Duty Shelving Storage Unit is similar to the first one on our list, with a slight twist: it comes with removable 2-inch wheels.
The wheels make it even more portable and easy to move around. It is a suitable choice if you’ll be shifting and shuffling around your greenhouse.
Still, if you could do without the wheels, don’t worry; they’re completely removable. The entire unit is easy to assemble and disassemble without additional tools.
The weight-carrying capacity of this unit depends on whether or not the wheels are attached, in motion, or stationary. Each shelf can hold up to 250 pounds without wheels, 220 pounds with wheels while standing, or 150 pounds with moving wheels.
If 3-tier greenhouse shelving is too little for you, you can select the same product in 4-tier and 5-tier versions. It also offers a choice of two chrome color finishes, black and chrome.
See Related: Best Greenhouse Accessories
3. EAGLE PEAK Greenhouse Shelving Staging Double 4 Tier
Key Features:
- Powder-coated steel tube and wire mesh construction
- One-year limited warranty
- Easy Assembly
- 4-tier shelving
- 11.77 pounds weight
- 22 pounds weight-holding capacity per shelf
- Dimensions: 35.4 x 12.2 x 41.7 inches
Next, we have the EAGLE PEAK Greenhouse Shelving Staging 4-tier unit. The EAGLE PEAK Greenhouse Shelving is a double unit; you get two greenhouse racks with your purchase. The extra shelf gives you an extra bang for your buck and is an attractive option if you must buy multiple for greenhouse use.
The Eagle Peak Greenhouse Shelves stand 41.7 inches tall with four shelves, making them suitable for small to medium-sized greenhouses. They are also very lightweight, clocking in at only 11.77 pounds each.
The materials used in this greenhouse shelf are also high quality, with a steel body and plastic connectors. In addition, the racks are made of wire mesh and can hold up to 22 pounds per shelf.
However, the main reason why we like the Eagle Peak 4-tier shelf so much is that it’s easy to assemble. Unlike some greenhouse shelf kits, this one requires no external tools to set up. It requires connecting the components with your hands in setting up the unit.
Additionally, the shelf has up to one year of limited warranty through after-sale protection and service. So, if having a warranty with your product purchases is a deal breaker, the Eagle Peak Greenhouse Shelving Staging Double 4 Tier unit is the ideal choice.
See Related: Best Greenhouse Plastic Sheets for Protection
4. Zhazhadi Metal Plant 3 Tier Tall Corner Plant Shelf
Key Features:
- Metal Steel material
- Powder-coated with a rich black finish
- Easy to assemble
- 3-tier foldable shelf
- Dimensions: 26.9 x 11.4 x 31.5 inches
The best shelves for greenhouse use aren’t always the most practical ones. If you’re the aesthetic type, you’ll want to look for something that matches the overall vibe of your garden rather than looking like an industrial rack.
That’s where the Zhazhadi Metal Plant 3-Tier Tall corner plant shelf shines. The Metal Plant Stand is inspired by wrought iron. As a result, it makes an attractive focal point for your lawn, garden, or within your home. The elevated legs keep plants off the ground and aid in drainage.
This outdoor plant stand has three shelves and plenty of storage space, making it ideal for displaying your favorite flowers and plants.
See Related: Best Fabrics for Your Greenhouse
5. Mederla 3 Tier Folding Wooden Plant Stand
Key Features:
- Solid Cedar Wood
- Easy to Assemble
- 3-tier flower stand
- Weight capacity: 80lbs
- Dimensions: 20 x 28 x 30 inches
If you’re looking to switch things up from metal racks for greenhouse use, the Mederla 3-Tier folding wooden plant stand is an excellent choice.
The Mederla folding wooden plant stand is built from solid cedar wood, one of the most environmentally friendly wood sources. It has good moisture resistance and air permeability, allowing water to drain readily and making it simple to clean for your greenhouse garden.
The 3 Layers Ladder design lets you exhibit items of various sizes and shapes, allowing your plants and flowers to receive more sunshine and thrive better.
We recommend the Mederla 3-Tier folding wooden plant stand if you’re looking for a wooden plant stand that can hold small flower pots or decoration plants.
See Related: Best Greenhouse Paint & Spray-On Shading
6. FIAWOJA 7 Tier Bamboo Plant Holders
Key Features:
- Bamboo wood material
- Customizable design
- Natural Wood with Carbonization
- 7 Pots Plant Shelf
- 12 Pots space
- Contains (a little wood hammer, a pair of gloves, and 3 mini gardening tools)
Continuing with our wooden plant racks for greenhouse use, we have the FIAWOJA 7-Tier Bamboo Plant Holders.
As the name suggests, this plant shelf is made from bamboo. As bamboo is a type of grass, it is more water-resistant than traditional hardwood, although not completely waterproof. Bamboo also has a higher weight-to-strength ratio than steel while being lightweight at the same time.
The plant supports consist of natural wood with carbonization that is done at 1000°F without paint or chemicals.
The multi-tiered plant holder can accommodate 12 potted plants to decorate your plants. And it is super easy to install, as no screws or nails are necessary. You can connect and finish your shelf using the joint connections.
What makes this product worth it aside from its features is that it contains freebies such as a little wood hammer, a pair of gloves, and three miniature gardening implements.
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7. 4Ft Vertical Raised Garden Bed
Key Features:
- Polypropylene plastic material
- 5-tier garden beds
- Ergonomic design
- Food-grade plastic bins
- 16.9 pounds weight
- 14.79-quart soil capacity
- Senior citizen friendly
- Dimensions: 25 x 29 x 48 inches
So far, we’ve seen metal and wooden shelves. But our pick for the best greenhouse shelf goes to this 4ft Vertical Raised Garden Bed by the Outland Living Store, made of plastic.
Unlike traditional greenhouse shelving, the 4ft Vertical Raised Garden Bed does away with shelves entirely in favor of plastic garden beds. These can be filled with soil and grow plants and flowers well-suited for garden beds.
Now you might wonder why anyone wants to do away with traditional greenhouse shelving systems for a garden bed shelf. The truth is, it has some benefits.
If you’re a senior citizen or have back and hip issues, you may face difficulties bending down and working on garden beds. The 4Ft Vertical Raised Garden Bed is explicitly designed to address this issue by making garden beds easy to work on without crouching.
The garden beds are made of food-grade polypropylene plastic and are 22 inches long, with a maximum soil capacity of 14.79 quarts. The beds are available in Espresso Brown, Forest Green, and Granite Grey.
So if you love gardening but have back and hip issues or are limited on space and looking for an ergonomic design, the 4Ft Vertical Raised Garden Bed is one of the best shelves for greenhouse use you can buy.
See Related: Best Hand Crank Generators: Top Picks for 2023
Things to Know Before Buying Greenhouse Shelving
So you have already purchased both your greenhouse and greenhouse lights. The only thing left is to look for suitable greenhouse cabinetry systems to equip your greenhouse. Now you’re probably thinking: What factors should I look for in the best racks for Greenhouse use?
You should know a few things before buying any greenhouse shelf kits. To summarize, you need to always look out for the following:
- Size
- Material
- Plant Type/Farming Method
We’ll review each of these briefly to show you how each plays a vital role in the quality of your greenhouse racks.
Size
The first thing you need to consider while selecting shelves for greenhouse use is the size of the greenhouse shelving.
Bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to greenhouse shelving systems. You will waste money if you buy racks too large to fit in your greenhouse.
On the other hand, you don’t want to buy racks that are too small either, as you’ll end up underutilizing the space in your greenhouse.
The key is to look for cabinetry appropriate for the type of greenhouse you’ve purchased. Also, ensure your racks are a reasonable distance from your greenhouse lights to prevent light burn in your plants when the plant canopies are too close to the grow lights.
Material
The most common material used in shelves for greenhouses is metal, particularly aluminum. Less common materials include wood and plastic.
There aren’t many reasons to prefer wooden or plastic racks over metal ones because metal has smooth surfaces. Sure, if you have a cottage-core-themed garden and want to keep the cottage-core aesthetic, you’ll opt for wooden greenhouse shelving instead.
Additionally, both plastic shelves are much lighter than metal shelves, which are denser and heavier. So if you’re moving around your potting shelf a lot, plastic shelves are the better choice.
In most cases, however, we recommend looking for metal greenhouse shelf kits. Not only are they sturdy and durable, but they also handle high humidity much better.
Compare this to wooden shelves, which might degrade over time in humid conditions without proper upkeep.
Plant Type/Farming Method
Finally, you’ll want to consider what types of plants you’ll be growing inside your greenhouse and with what farming method.
You don’t need specific plant racks for greenhouse use. Most greenhouse racks will work with any farming method and plant type. That said, you’ll want to have at least an idea of what you’ll grow inside your greenhouse and how you’ll grow it before buying greenhouse shelving.
As a rule of thumb, wooden greenhouse racks cast more shade than metal racks. However, the additional shade can be problematic if you grow fruits or vegetables that require direct sunlight, such as tomatoes or peppers.
Additionally, metal and plastic racks fare much better than wooden racks for hydroponics systems. Wooden racks require much more upkeep in wet and humid conditions to prevent wood rot.
You can also consider purchasing other tools for your farming method. These can be watering cans, seed trays, and benches, and you can have more options according to your farming needs.
FAQs
Is it possible to have shelves in a greenhouse?
Whether you have a large outdoor greenhouse or a small inside greenhouse, shelving, and potting benches are essential for making the most of your greenhouse area. Shelving provides an extra growing area by providing a valuable storage place for seeds, equipment, and pots.
What is the ideal greenhouse shelving?
Freestanding shelves, which can be built of wood, metal, or plastic, are the most common style of greenhouse shelving. These shelves are simple to put up and may be used anywhere in the greenhouse.
Is it true that everything grows better in a greenhouse?
Plant growth is aided by warmth and dampness. Plants require moisture, warmth, and light to thrive. A greenhouse helps to stabilize the growing environment by buffering the ambient temperature and shielding the plants from harsh winters.
What depth should greenhouse shelves have?
Standard dimensions would be 110cm to 120cm long, 55cm deep, and 90cm high. Two shelves are essential, but making the lower shelf moveable is even better. In this manner, you can use it for seed trays and other little plants in the spring, but larger plants like peppers in pots can go under the top level in the summer.
Can plants grow on shelves?
It is critical to space your plants out on the shelves so that each one has its own growing zone and is easily accessible for regular watering and care. When plants are put on shelves, watering might be challenging.
How can you make the most of the available space in a greenhouse?
Set up greenhouse shelving. Make the most of every available space. Install shelving beneath growing surfaces on benches to store and display seeds, pots, compost, seed trays, gloves, and tools.
What plants look nice displayed on a shelf?
Prayer plants, calathea, snake plants, pothos, peace lilies, nerve plants, hoya, or ferns are some preferable shelf options. These low-maintenance plants will thrive on a shelf with some indirect light.
How can plants be kept from falling off shelves?
You can use any robust wood, metal, or plastic stake that you have on hand. You can also head on to Amazon.com, as they have a selection of the top plant stakes.