10 best greenhouses to help your plants thrive all year round

Great for beginners or those short on garden space, this six-by-four-foot Palram greenhouse is an entry-level option in a traditional, rectangular design. This has an aluminium frame and a steel base. The panels are made from durable, 0.7mm thick polycarbonate that offers 90% light transmission. This greenhouse offers a few features of note; guttering is included for better rain run-off, there's an opening roof vent for ventilation, and the door can be secured with a locking mechanism.

Customer review: "We wanted a small first greenhouse to go on our patio. This one had good reviews and seemed good value for money. Three of us worked to assemble it and it took about four hours. The instructions were easy to follow and the parts were well labelled. It all fit together well. It looks good on our patio and I'm looking forward to using it."

This hexagonal greenhouse makes it even easier to look after your plant family with spacious storage. It has a zippered, roll-up door to make it easy to get in and out, with the option of more ventilation on warmer days. The cover is UV resistant but allows sunlight to pass through, retaining the best light and heat for your plants. This comes complete with four ropes and four ground stakes so you can secure it in place.

Customer review: “It’s a great shape giving a real feeling of space inside. The structure seems sturdier than others I’ve had, again, I think, because of the shape. You still must take precautions to weigh down the cover as it blows completely off in a high wind, but the frame stood fast. I love it!”

If you're looking to splash out and buy a greenhouse that is stylish, sturdy and will last for years, then this Crane Garden Buildings greenhouse is the one for you. It's definitely at a higher price point but worth it for the vintage looks, glazed glass panels, and Scandinavian Redwood build. The part-glazed panels are made from toughened glass, as is the roof. Inside are bench-style shelves for your plants to sit. Also available in white if you'd prefer.

We love this greenhouse's elegant hexagonal design gives you lots of headroom and 360-degree view of your surroundings. We're also fans of the wide, hinged double doors. This has a strong, rust-resistant aluminium frame. The polycarbonate side panelling is virtually unbreakable with resistance against discolouration. The roof boasts a combination of two types of glazing to balance light exposure to your plants and remove harmful UV sun rays. Ventilation comes in with an opening louvre vent.

Customer review: "Lovely. Took longer than said but I've now got the Eden project at a great price."

Do you just want a simple greenhouse that does the job? This Kingfisher greenhouse is a fantastic option if you just want something that will support your plants in their growth during certain seasons of the year, as you can pack it down and store it in the colder months. Made with a metal base and removable plastic cover, this works for gardeners who want ease and value.

Customer review: "Bought this six months ago, after a busy growing season, I've been very happy with this - it's slimline but fits plenty of seed trays (although I've sacrificed the ground shelf to a heavy bag of compost, as these type of cold frames are prone to blowing over in the wind). The zip still works perfectly, joints have stayed intact, the item feels sturdy enough for the price. It also looks prettier than my other cold frames. A good buy."

This greenhouse is a serious solution for dedicated horticulturalists, especially as it measures in at a huge 6.3 metres long by 2.6 metres wide. However, this means it's perfect if you are planning to use a lot of space in a greenhouse. This Rion Grand acrylic greenhouse is barn-shaped with two doors, making it perfect to line your greenery with. Features include four roof vents and a locking mechanism. You will have to grab a base with this separately if you don't have the necessary hardstanding currently available.

If you don't want something as large as the barn greenhouse but still want a big greenhouse with multiple doors and windows, the cathedral greenhouse may be the one for you. It's very attractive with a multi-level roof, making it a potential focal point in your outdoor space. This has two roof vents and a very useful lowered threshold, so you won't struggle to get wheelbarrows in and out. This also has guttering included for low maintenance.

Customer review: "It's a great greenhouse but it says in the instruction that it will take half a day with two people for the build, I think I will give that a big question mark."

This compact greenhouse is big enough to fit all of your gardening plans but is small enough to fit your terraced garden or even a patio courtyard. The classic style has an aluminium frame and comes with clear polycarbonate glazing. The clear polycarbonate glazing roof panels aid insulation during winter and provide shade during summer. Unlike some budget greenhouses, this comes complete with a base, although you will need to ensure the ground is level.

Customer review: "Took two of us around four hours to put up, follow the instructions and you won’t have a problem. Disappointed it didn’t come with any shelving. We have bought free standing shelves and a little potting bench, which is a cheaper to buy shelving, than the actual ones that attach to the greenhouse. Very happy with it."

If the thought of an all-glass garden structure makes you nervous, consider an option with a substantial wooden frame. Like a garden shed with really big windows, Mercia's greenhouse gives you the stability of wood while letting loads of light in to help your plants thrive. This measures the same size as a standard greenhouse - six feet by four. The wooden areas are made from 12mm shiplap cladding, and the panels are UV-resistant, shatterproof styrene. This has one opening window and a single-size door.

If the place in your garden that makes sense to have a greenhouse is against a wall, then this is the greenhouse for you. Vitavia's "Ida" is specially designed for balconies, patios, or walled gardens. Despite its space-saving design, it still manages to offer eight by four feet of space for you to grow your preferred plants. This has clever, front-mounted sliding doors to save the need to require space to open them, and you can simply glide these doors open when you want some fresh air. The frame is aluminium, and the panels are made from toughened glass.