The top 3 recommendations and buying guides

Our recommendations

This compact one is ideal for growing useful and ornamental plants on the windowsill or on the balcony Cultivation box with planter and hood. The lower bowl is about 6.5 centimeters high, the transparent lid approx. 11.5 centimeters. The length is 38 centimeters, the width 24 centimeters. This mini greenhouse fits almost anywhere and you can grow your balcony plants yourself even in a small apartment. You don't even have to Growing pots(€ 16.68 at Amazon *) buy, because a planter with 24 wells is already available. Simply fill this with soil, insert the seeds or cuttings and you're ready to go. The lid has a ventilation option so that the humidity does not rise too much.

When growing young plants, regular watering is immensely important, as the plants are very sensitive to both drought and excessive moisture. Automatic irrigation, as in this model, can therefore be an advantage. The plants are evenly supplied with moisture as soon as the earth threatens to become dry. The capillary system makes it possible. The cultivation box consists of a water basin plus an irrigation mat, in which there should always be water. The pot plate with either 24, 144, 240 or even 576 stands on it Growing pots. The usable height under the cover is approx. five to seven centimeters. Make sure to clean and dry the capillary mat thoroughly after use. Some Amazon customers reported that the irrigation layer turned moldy after a while and that the greenhouse could no longer be used

For many plants - especially for exotic plants and for some useful plants such as Tomatoes, peppers and chilli - a constant temperature is just as important as an even supply of Water. This heated mini greenhouse fits on every window sill and is simply plugged into a socket. The plants grow in seven small seed trays, so that you can prefer different types of plants without getting mixed up. However, according to customer reports, the temperature cannot be regulated, but is around eight degrees above the ambient temperature. However, by choosing the right location - for example directly behind a sunny window - you can directly influence the microclimate.

Purchase criteria

Cover size and height

How long, wide and high the propagation box should be depends on various factors:

• Installation location: window sill, winter garden or in a large greenhouse?
• Number of plants: few plants for the balcony or many for the self-sufficient garden?

For the window sill, an indoor greenhouse should have correspondingly narrow dimensions so that it remains stable there and does not protrude and threaten to tip over due to incorrect loading. If, on the other hand, you want to prefer a lot of plants for the vegetable garden, the window sill will of course not be enough. In this case, we recommend larger propagation boxes, which, depending on the provider, can contain several dozen to hundreds of seedlings. Also make sure that the cover is at a sufficient height. This should be at least ten centimeters high so that the plants underneath have enough space to grow.

Cover hood and ventilation

An indoor greenhouse usually also has a transparent covering hood in order to create the high level of humidity under it (the professional speaks of "tense air"). Sometimes only the planters or - tubs offered without hood. Make sure that there is an integrated ventilation option for existing covers, as otherwise mold growth can quickly occur. As a rule, however, this ventilation is not enough, so you should open the lid for one to two hours a day anyway.

Irrigation option

If you prefer a lot of plants or if you are one of those people who are often on the move or If you forget to water, then a seed box with automatic irrigation is a sensible purchase. As a rule, this does not work via a water pipe, but via a capillary system. Under the plant pots there is a water basin plus capillary mat that contain water. If the soil in the nursery pots becomes dry, moisture automatically flows into it until it is saturated. In this way, the young plants are evenly supplied.

heater

Some plants urgently need a constant temperature. So do you want exotic ones, some Cactus species or grow sensitive vegetables such as chilies, a heated propagation box makes sense. But be careful: some models are designed in such a way that you have to remove the plants for watering. This is not very practical, so it is better to give preference to variants with a heating plate. Models with adjustable heating so that you can set the desired temperature are also practical. This is not possible with all heated greenhouses.

Accessories and sets

Now it is not enough just to have a room greenhouse, because in addition to this you also need - depending on the model - growing pots and Sowing soil. You can also buy special heating mats and place your propagation box on top of them. If you don't want to buy everything extra, you can purchase ready-made sets and have all the necessary components together with them to immediately start using the sowing to start.

frequently asked Questions

Why do I need a propagation box?

In principle, you can also grow many useful and ornamental plants without a nursery box. However, plants grown in such a sheltered manner grow faster and also take root better because the microclimate in such a environment Mini greenhouse offers better growing conditions. The humidity is higher and the temperature is warmer.

Where is the best place to set up the propagation box?

Plants need light to grow, which is why you should place the nursery box in as bright a location as possible. But be careful: direct sunlight, especially around noon, heats up the mini greenhouse considerably. This, in turn, does not please the plants, which is why you should avoid the south-facing window sill or at least shade it during critical hours. On the other hand, propagation boxes set up in dark locations can be used to achieve optimal brightness with specially installed plant lamps.

How often should you ventilate so that the plants don't go moldy?

Daily ventilation prevents the potting soil and the plants from going moldy. Leave the cover open for one to two hours every day. Incidentally, it is not enough to only ventilate with the ventilation slots integrated in the lids. As soon as the seedlings begin to grow, gradually increase the ventilation time - this way your plants get used to a "normal" environment.

How much should you pour? How do I know when it's too much?

A penetrating watering is not necessary and also not useful in the propagation box, as this contributes to the development of mold. It is best to keep the soil moist only with a spray bottle. The substrate must not be wet! Excess water must be removed from the bowl immediately. Condensation on the inside of the cover is normal, it just shouldn't run down in large drops.

Are there also propagation boxes that are not made of plastic?

In fact there is also (self-built) Growing boxes made of wood and / or glass. Some of these models consist of a wooden or metal frame with panes of glass. Make sure that these have a cover that can be opened and, if necessary, locked.

equipment

Growing pots

Many grow boxes are delivered without plant pots, so you have to purchase them additionally. You have the choice between very different models made of plastic or biodegradable materials and different sizes. Make sure, however, that the pots you want fit into your greenhouse.