Not all greenhouse gear is worth the hype—or the price tag. Some accessories look great on paper but flop in real-world gardening.
Before you waste another dollar, check out these 15 greenhouse add-ons that often disappoint—plus expert-recommended tools and upgrades that actually do the job right.
1. Fancy Automatic Watering Systems vs. Simple Drip Irrigation
Computerized watering systems with weather sensors and smartphone apps can cost hundreds of dollars and frequently malfunction. Professional growers typically install basic drip irrigation kits instead, which deliver water directly to plant roots for a fraction of the price.
These simple systems use gravity and timers to regulate water flow without complex electronics that break down. You’ll save nearly 70% on your initial investment while achieving the same results: healthy, properly watered plants.
2. Decorative Glass Terrariums vs. Recycled Containers
Artisanal glass terrariums look stunning on Instagram but come with hefty price tags ranging from $50-200. Meanwhile, greenhouse professionals repurpose clear plastic containers like salad boxes and soda bottles to create mini-greenhouses for seedlings.
The recycled alternatives provide identical humidity and protection benefits while costing absolutely nothing. Plants don’t care about aesthetics—they thrive equally well in repurposed containers as long as light, moisture, and temperature needs are met.
3. Expensive Grow Lights vs. Shop Lights
Specialized grow lights marketed to greenhouse enthusiasts often carry astronomical price tags of $200+ while offering minimal advantages. Professional growers frequently opt for standard fluorescent shop lights that cost $20-30 instead.
Regular cool white fluorescent tubes provide the full spectrum needed for most plants. Mount them on adjustable chains to raise or lower as plants grow. The money saved can go toward more plants or quality soil—factors that actually determine growing success more than fancy lighting.
4. Luxury Potting Benches vs. Repurposed Tables
Garden catalogs showcase cedar and teak potting stations with built-in sinks for $300-500. Meanwhile, professional growers create functional workspaces using old kitchen tables, sawhorses with plywood tops, or even repurposed pallets.
Covering these DIY surfaces with plastic sheeting makes cleanup simple. Add some hooks for hanging tools and plastic bins underneath for storage. Your plants won’t grow better because you assembled soil in an expensive bench versus a practical alternative that serves the exact same purpose.
5. Designer Plant Labels vs. Recycled Materials
Copper, ceramic, and decorative plant markers can cost $2-5 each, adding up quickly when labeling dozens of plants. Experienced greenhouse owners cut up plastic yogurt containers, milk jugs, or venetian blinds to make perfectly functional labels for pennies.
Write plant names with permanent markers or grease pencils that resist fading. For seed starting, simply write directly on plastic cell packs with erasable markers. The plants themselves don’t care what material identifies them, and your wallet will thank you for the practical approach.
6. Pre-mixed Specialty Soils vs. Custom Blends
Pre-packaged “premium” potting mixes marketed specifically for greenhouses can cost triple what basic components cost. Greenhouse experts typically blend their own growing medium using equal parts peat moss, perlite, and compost.
Making your own mix ensures fresher materials without preservatives or mystery ingredients. You’ll also be able to adjust the formula for specific plant needs. A 4-cubic-foot batch of DIY mix costs roughly $15-20 compared to $40-60 for the same amount of pre-mixed specialty soil.
7. Ornamental Watering Cans vs. Plastic Jugs
Copper and ceramic watering cans with artisanal designs might look charming hanging in your greenhouse, but they’ll set you back $40-100 each. Professional growers modify plastic milk jugs or detergent bottles by poking small holes in the caps to create gentle shower sprinklers.
These makeshift watering tools deliver water just as effectively without the weight of metal cans. Fill several for different areas of your greenhouse or dedicate specific jugs for fertilizer solutions. The plants receive identical benefits while you save money for things that actually affect growth.
8. Electronic Soil Testers vs. Simple pH Strips
Multi-function electronic soil analyzers claim to measure moisture, light, and pH simultaneously for $30-80, but frequently provide inaccurate readings. Greenhouse professionals rely on basic pH test strips that cost pennies per test and deliver more reliable results.
For moisture levels, simply stick your finger an inch into the soil—still the most reliable method. Learning to read your plants’ visual cues costs nothing and develops valuable gardening skills. The money saved can purchase additional plants or quality fertilizers that directly improve growing outcomes.
9. Specialized Seed Starting Kits vs. Egg Cartons
Seed-starting systems with heat mats and dome covers can easily exceed $100 while offering minimal advantages over improvised alternatives. Professional growers often use cardboard egg cartons, yogurt cups, or newspaper pots to start seeds successfully.
Place these DIY containers near a sunny window or under basic shop lights. Bottom heat can be provided by placing containers atop the refrigerator or water heater. The germination rates remain virtually identical to expensive systems, proving that seeds respond to proper conditions, not fancy packaging.
10. Designer Plant Supports vs. Bamboo Stakes
Decorative spiral plant supports and fancy tomato cages marketed for greenhouse use can cost $15-30 per plant. Commercial growers use simple bamboo stakes and garden twine instead, supporting dozens of plants for the same total cost.
Bamboo stakes last for years when stored properly and can be configured to support any plant shape. Create tomato cages from concrete reinforcement wire for sturdier support at one-third the price. Your plants will produce identical yields while you save significantly on unnecessary decorative elements.
11. Imported Clay Pots vs. Plastic Nursery Containers
Hand-thrown terracotta and glazed ceramic pots look beautiful but cost $20-50 each and crack easily in greenhouse environments. Professional growers use black plastic nursery pots that cost under $1 each or are often free when you purchase plants.
Plastic containers retain moisture better than clay, reducing watering frequency. They’re lightweight, durable, and can be nested for storage. If aesthetics matter, place the plastic pots inside decorative containers when displaying plants, giving you flexibility to rotate different plants through your showcase pots.
12. Commercial Greenhouse Heaters vs. Passive Solar Methods
Electric greenhouse heaters can cost $100-300 plus ongoing electricity expenses. Experienced greenhouse owners often use passive solar heating methods instead, like water-filled black drums that absorb heat during the day and release it at night.
Thermal mass solutions require no electricity and work consistently year after year. Adding insulation through bubble wrap on greenhouse walls further reduces heat loss. For extremely cold nights, a small space heater can supplement passive methods at a fraction of the cost of specialized greenhouse heating systems.
13. Branded Fertilizers vs. Compost Tea
Specialized greenhouse plant foods with fancy packaging can cost $20-30 per bottle while offering no advantages over homemade alternatives. Professional growers brew compost tea by soaking finished compost in water for 24-48 hours to create nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer.
This DIY approach provides complete, balanced nutrition that commercial products try to replicate artificially. For specific nutrient needs, inexpensive amendments like bone meal (phosphorus) or Epsom salts (magnesium) address deficiencies without the markup of branded products. Your plants can’t read labels—they just need the nutrients.
14. Greenhouse Humidity Systems vs. Gravel Trays
Commercial greenhouse misting systems with timers and nozzles typically cost $100-300 but often create disease-promoting conditions. Professional growers place trays filled with gravel and water beneath plant benches to increase humidity naturally through evaporation.
This simple approach maintains optimal humidity levels without wetting foliage, which can lead to fungal problems. The gravel ensures pots don’t sit directly in water. For additional humidity during very dry periods, simply mist plants manually with a spray bottle—a method that allows for targeted application exactly when needed.
15. Specialized Pruning Tools vs. Basic Scissors
Garden catalogs feature specialized snips, shears and pruners with ergonomic handles and titanium blades for $30-75 each. Meanwhile, professional greenhouse managers often use basic scissors and kitchen shears disinfected between cuts for most plant maintenance tasks.
Keep tools clean with alcohol wipes and sharpen regularly for clean cuts. For woody stems, a single good-quality pruner is worth investing in, but most greenhouse plants have soft stems that basic scissors handle perfectly. The hundreds saved can purchase additional plants or quality soil that directly impacts growing success.