Last updated on June 17th, 2023
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If like me you have some plants that you need to keep frost-free and at warmer temperatures, or perhaps you want to start your seeds off earlier in the season to give you a head start in spring and have run out of room on your windowsill for propagating seedlings, just like I have. Then a good investment is a greenhouse but the second-best investment is choosing a good quality and reliable greenhouse heater to maintain a consistent temperature and keep your greenhouse at a nice healthy temperature for the plants you are growing.
There are a lot of greenhouse heaters on the market, some good, some not so good, so in this guide, I’m going to show you what I think is the best greenhouse heater as well as some other alternative models.
In this review, I look at a selection of heaters – electric, paraffin and gas-powered – and explain the pros and cons of each one, along with their best features and my recommendations. My Buyer’s Guide goes more in-depth into the standard features the best greenhouse heaters have and what to look for.
My Best Pick for greenhouse heaters has to be the Bio Green 2KW Palma Heater with its Digital Thermostat. This is by far the best greenhouse heater because it’s so easy to use, precise, versatile and the build quality is excellent. This is the model I now use myself and recommend. This takes greenhouse heating to a new level.
The Botanico Greenhouse Heater is My Runner-up choice. While this heater doesn’t have the sophisticated temperature controls of my Best Pick, it does offer a choice of two power levels, at 1KW and 2KW, and these are ideal for at least keeping your greenhouse frost-free and warmer than outside. In addition, you can use the fan without heat to just circulate the air which helps prevent rotting and comes in handy for warmer days.
BEST PICK
The best greenhouse heaters in our review are:
- Bio Green PAL 2.0/GB 2kw Palma Heater with Digital Thermostat – BEST PICK
- Botanico 2kw Greenhouse Heater – RUNNER UP
- LightHouse 915mm Eco Heat Greenhouse Heater
- CrazyGadget Large Paraffin Super Warm Heater – BEST PARAFFIN HEATER
- Biogreen WM-P5 Warmax Power5 Paraffin Heater
- Eden Gas Greenhouse Heater 2kw – BEST GAS HEATER
- Biogreen PHX 2.8/GB Phoenix Electric Fan Heater
RUNNER UP
TOP 7 GREENHOUSE HEATER REVIEWS
1. Bio Green Palma Heater with Thermo2 Digital Thermostat
BEST PICK
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What makes the Bio Green 2KW Palma Heater my favourite heater is not just its efficiency, but the fact that it comes with a Digital Thermostat to control the temperature inside my greenhouse allowing me to create more precise temperatures at the click of a button.
Most electric greenhouse heaters come with a thermostat, however, they are usually numbered 1 to 10 on a dial and it takes a lot of messing about to set a specific temperature. You need to use a standard thermometer to monitor the temperature inside the greenhouse and then slowly adjust the dial until the heater clicks off once the greenhouse gets to that desired temperature. This can take a while to set up and I have found it’s usually not that accurate and it includes a lot of guesswork.
This is where the Palma greenhouse heater with the digital thermostat really stands out. Whatever temperature I set the digital control thermostat to, my greenhouse environment will be at within +/- 2 degrees Celsius within that number, it’s as simple as that.
If you grow plants in your greenhouse that are extremely sensitive to colder temperatures, then this is definitely what you need. If you just want to quickly and easily control the temperature inside your greenhouse, even if it’s just keeping it frost-free, this heater is a great choice. Honestly, no other greenhouse heater even comes close in terms of reliability, build quality and how accurately you can get your greenhouse temperature. It really is a well-designed piece of kit.
In simple terms, it’s very accurate and you can pretty much set it to any temperature you need.
As previously mentioned, this model comes with a digital thermostat that lets you control the temperature accurately. The air circulation rate of 163 m3/h makes certain the air is properly circulated, so I’m told anyway I have no way to personally measure this.
The greenhouse heater and the digital thermostat are actually separate pieces of equipment, giving you the flexibility to actually use the greenhouse heater without the digital thermostat connected. However, I don’t see why you would want to do this unless you wanted to just keep your greenhouse frost free, something that is incredibly simple to set up. All you need to do is simply set the heater to frost stat.
Basically, the heater unit itself does have its own built-in thermostat (as shown below) so it can be used independently too. However, this is not how I use it because it defeats the whole purpose of having a digital thermostat.
If you use it without the thermostat, you can select off (the little circle icon) or just the fan mode to cool the greenhouse and improve air circulation (circle with the fan icon) and finally select heat mode. It’s simple enough, just plug it into a plug socket and it’s ready to use.
It’s also worth mentioning that when the heater is set to ‘heat mode’ and used without the digital thermostat it will heat the greenhouse, but, once it reaches the desired temperature the heater will turn off but the fan will still run continuously. This is supposed to help maintain an even temperature inside the greenhouse.
So back to my favourite feature, the digital thermostat. To set both the digital thermostat and heater up, you plug the thermostat into your plug socket/power supply and then you plug your heater into the thermostat, as we have shown above.
It will then give you the current temperature and then you can press the up and down arrows to set the desired temperature you want to maintain.
You can also press the C/H button to switch between heat and fan only. However, it’s worth noting that you will also need to select this option on the greenhouse heater as well when setting it up.
To get the digital thermostat to work with the greenhouse heater, you also need to make sure you switch the controls on the heater itself to heat and turn the temperature dial to full.
When the digital thermometer has detected the greenhouse has fallen below a certain temperature, it gives the heater power and the greenhouse heater turns on and provides heat. Once the thermostat reaches the desired temperature, it cuts off the power to the heater turning it off. This also means the fan also doesn’t run continuously like it does when used with the built-in thermostat only. I prefer this setup because I don’t like the fan to be on continuously.
One last feature I really like is that it has a thin cable with a temperature sensor on the end. I like this because I can place it near my plants and I actually prefer to place mine into a small pot of compost at the same level as my plants so I am able to maintain a precise soil temperature to give an even more accurate temperature reading where the heat is needed most.
The heater itself is rated IPX4, which means it is splashproof so it’s obviously suitable for use in damp conditions. However, avoid having underneath sprinklers where it will receive a downpour but it will be fine if it gets splashed with a little water accidentally. On the other hand, the digital thermometer is not waterproof, so be sure to place this somewhere it cannot get wet. I have mine mounted above the greenhouse benches.
The dimensions of the heater itself are l28cm (width) x 19.5cm (depth) x 31.5cm (height) which means it’s compact with a small footprint, making it perfect for smaller greenhouses too.
Pros
- Electric heater with a top-of-the-line features for delicate and fine control of the greenhouse temperature.
- Very durable with a steel outer casing.
- Digital thermostat to control the temperatures inside your greenhouse more precisley.
- Splashproof, making it perfect for moist settings. (The thermostat is not, so place it where it cannot get wet).
- Inexpensive to run.
- Ideal for small and medium-sized greenhouses up to an impressive 3.6m2
Cons
- Quite pricey.
Our recommendation
The Bio Green 2KW Palma Heater, with its digital thermostat, is probably the best heater for small to medium-sized greenhouses where accurate temperature control is of the utmost importance or you just want to purchase a reliable, quality greenhouse heater.
After all, in comparison to the greenhouse heaters I have had in the past, this is the one that has impressed me the most. I really like that it’s compact, easy to set up and most importantly, reliable.
I really like that you can set a precise temperature on the digital thermostat and it will maintain that temperature within a degree or two. If I was to personally get another greenhouse heater again or recommend one for friends and family, and my readers like yourself, of course, it would have to be the Bio Green Heater and the Digital Thermostat. It really is a great piece of kit, you won’t be disappointed if you choose this greenhouse heater.
2. Botanico 2kw Greenhouse Heater
RUNNER UP
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The Botanico Greenhouse Heater doesn’t have the delicate temperature control of my Best Pick, but you do have the choice of heat output of 2KW or 1KW depending on how warm you want the environment in your greenhouse to be. This model has pre-set temperatures and then puts out the appropriate amount of heat to warm the greenhouse air to that level. This amount of power/heat is best suited for a small to medium-sized greenhouse.
You’re not limited to just heating your greenhouse environment though. If the day comes that you need to give the plants a cool breath of air, the fan can be used to ventilate the area. The ability to circulate both hot and cool air makes this unit more flexible than some other heaters on the market.
As we said before, heaters that are used in moisture-rich environments need to be waterproof or at least splash-proof. The Botanico Greenhouse Heater is water-resistant with the specifications of IPX4 stated in its credentials. This shows you that it is safe to use in moist environments but not in the direct line of water streams. The unit can be depended upon to provide adequate heat without moisture build-up inside the unit.
The frost watch function is a great feature that heats the greenhouse just enough to keep the frost out. This is perfect for anyone who overwinters plants that don’t need heat but are frost tender and must be kept just above freezing.
The electric cable provided is only 1.8m long which may be a limit in some greenhouses. If your greenhouse is large, you may need a couple of these units. The dimensions of the unit are 20cm (height), 27cm (width) and 24cm (length). It’s a compact size that won’t get under your feet.
Pros
- Electric greenhouse heater both heats and cools air depending on what your plants need.
- Lightweight and sturdy.
- Build in thermostat for setting the correct temperature.
- Active frost watch function for protecting tender plants over winter.
- Waterproof rated for safety.
- Affordable price and good value for money.
Cons
- Cannot be wall-mounted.
- Thermostat doesn’t have many setting choices.
Our recommendation
The Botanico 2kw Greenhouse Heater is a very effective small heater that is perfect for small home greenhouses. It is not designed for bigger greenhouses but you could perhaps run two if needed. This heater’s waterproof rating is not as high as we would like so don’t turn sprinklers on over it. It’s fine for areas that are moist which are everywhere within a greenhouse environment.
The unit is really lightweight so moving it around isn’t an issue, even for more mature gardeners. We really like the ‘frost watch’ feature which is great for overwintering more tender plants such as some perennials and young potted plants.
Overall this little greenhouse heater has all the features needed for effectively heating a greenhouse; it’s reliable, easy to use and comes at a very affordable price. It’s our choice for Runner-up in our Best Greenhouse Heater review. We also noticed it was one of the best selling greenhouse heaters on Amazon with lots of reviews at the time of our review.
3. LightHouse 915mm Eco Heat Greenhouse Heater
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The LightHouse 915mm 135W Eco Heat Greenhouse Heater works as more of a radiator than a heater. It can raise the temperature of a small space easily so your greenhouse has a consistent temperature. The tube design provides direct heat to the internal environment while keeping the plants healthy. This is the best environment for plants that are still at the growing stage and need constant and reliable heat, but a regulated amount. This heater produces more of a frost-free environment for tender plants or seedlings.
The tube heater will not increase your electricity bill; it may actually reduce it as it only consumes 135W of power. That is not much electricity compared to some electric heaters. It’s probably the cheapest greenhouse heater to run we have seen. However, this is mainly because it does not generate lots of instant heat like a fan style heater.
This heater is splash resistant, so the occasional splash of water from your greenhouse irrigation system that lands on the tube will not damage the unit. However, it is not waterproof so be careful not to place it under a water system or water over it. Ensure you position it somewhere dry.
You can decide where to place this heater because you can mount it on the wall or leave the unit freestanding. It has stable feet to make certain that the unit stays where it should. If you decide to put it on the greenhouse wall, you can use the screws provided or suspend it from the roof.
Pros
- Electric greenhouse heater that’s wall-mountable to keep it out of the way.
- Very cheap to run and available in 3 different lengths.
- Great for using to keep the frost out of your greenhouse.
- Reasonably priced.
- Splash resistant.
Cons
- Cannot cater to plants that need higher heat levels.
- No thermostat to control the amount of heat discharged.
Our recommendation
The LightHouse Eco Heat Greenhouse Heater is perfect for using more like a frost protection heater to keep the temperature a little above freezing, which is ideal for tender plants and seedlings in the winter
The unit is eco-friendly because it produces no offensive emissions. In addition, it doesn’t consume large amounts of electricity either. In fact, it’s probably the cheapest model to run that we have seen.
The price varies with the length of the heater you select. Choose the one that’s best for your size greenhouse or buy a combination of lengths to heat whatever growing area you have. You are constrained by the lack of a thermostat to whatever heat the heater emits, and that’s why we suggest using this as a heater to keep the frost away from your plants.
If you’re looking for an affordable way to keep your greenhouse plants from freezing in the winter, and want a heating system you can build on, the LightHouse Eco Heat Greenhouse Heater is a great choice.
4. CrazyGadget Large Paraffin Super Warm Heater Single Burner
BEST PARAFFIN HEATER
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The CrazyGadget Single Burner Large Paraffin Super Warm Heater is a single chimney heater that uses paraffin as the fuel to generate heat. If paraffin is your fuel of choice for other garden appliances, you know how energy efficient it is as long as you have access to a cheap source of fuel. This heater has a tank that holds 5L of paraffin which gives you around 80 hours of heating time.
Burning paraffin as a fuel source does create emissions that are considered environmentally unfriendly. However, one of them is carbon dioxide, and plants love this because it helps with photosynthesis. Water is also a by-product of burning paraffin which helps to keep your greenhouse environment moist and at good humidity.
There are some considerations to be aware of with a paraffin greenhouse heater. It’s important to adjust the wick to the right length as this is the only way you have control over the amount of heat that the heater produces. In addition, always keep the wick trimmed because if it’s too long, it may deposit a black residue over your greenhouse. A paraffin heater is best for keeping the frost out of the growing environment rather than raising the air temperature to a certain level. Plus, of course, there’s always the fact that any open flame is a fire hazard, but these heaters are designed to be safe. Just don’t let children and pets into the greenhouse when the heater is on, and take care of yourself.
On a plus note, this is a heater that you can easily move from space to space and between greenhouses if you need to. You don’t have to worry about finding an electric outlet or heaving large propane tanks around.
The recommended dimensions for proper coverage by this paraffin heater is for a 1.8 by 1.8m greenhouse. Any space larger than that renders the unit inefficient and needs either two heaters of this size or one larger model.
Pros
- Paraffin single chimney heater keeps the frost away when overwintering your plants.
- Large capacity, thus will run for longer (average 2-3 days).
- Portable design, no power cables to worry about.
- The carbon dioxide and water vapour emissions provide stable growth.
- Affordable price.
Cons
- Can be expensive to run if fuel is expensive.
- Has to be turned off manually.
- No thermostat.
Our recommendation
The CrazyGadget Large Paraffin Super Warm Heater Single Burner is a large unit compared to some other paraffin models we looked at during our research. We especially like the large 5-litre capacity because it can run for around 80 hours without refilling which gives you around three days of consistent heating.
The price of this unit is at the lower end of our price range and is inexpensive to run as long as you have an affordable source for paraffin fuel. You have to physically turn the unit off and on and you shouldn’t leave it completely unattended without checking in on it occasionally.
If you’re okay with using paraffin as a fuel source and have ready access to an inexpensive supply, the CrazyGadget Large Paraffin Super Warm Heater Single Burner is a handy greenhouse heater to have.
5. Biogreen WM-P5 Warmax Power5 Paraffin Heater
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The Biogreen WM-P5 Warmax Power Paraffin Heater is a twin chimney heater for your greenhouse. The 4.5L tank holds enough paraffin to run for 16 hours. This may seem strange as our previous paraffin heater, the CrazyGadget Single Burner, runs for a full 80 hours on just a little more paraffin. However, the second chimney of this Biogreen heater lets you put out twice the amount of hot air, if you want, but does take more fuel to do so.
The twin chimneys distributed the hot air over a wider area. This model heats up to 5m² of greenhouse area (at a regular height). The unit is made of stainless steel which makes it rustproof (useful in the humidity of a greenhouse) and durable. As with any other paraffin heater, the by-products of carbon dioxide and water vapour help to create a healthy climate for your plants to flourish in.
You do need to turn the heater on and off manually though. There isn’t a thermometer to monitor the air temperature so you’re on your own to decide when to do that. This is a floor-standing heater, but it does come with brackets to anchor it firmly to the floor so you don’t accidentally trip over it and upset it.
Pros
- Paraffin as fuel, great if you don’t have an electricity supply nearby.
- Portable, no electric supply needed.
- Twin burners for extra heat.
- Inexpensive to run as long as you get paraffin at a good price.
- Lightweight durable construction.
- Can be bolted to the floor.
Cons
- Soot produced if you don’t maintain the wick correctly.
- No options for timers or thermostat.
Our recommendation
The Biogreen WM-P5 Warmax Power5 Paraffin Heater is a heater with twin chimneys for double the heat output. Or run with just one chimney on milder days. You can decide to switch both of the heaters on or decide to have one running. We do like that the unit can be bolted to the floor to make sure that there are no accidental spills.
This is a good heater if you don’t have an electricity supply near your greenhouse and want a heater with a choice of heat outputs. Admittedly your choice of actual heat temperatures relies on adjusting the wick, but at least it’s something.
6. Eden 2Kw Gas Greenhouse Heater
BEST GAS HEATER
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The Eden 2KW Gas Greenhouse Heater uses propane gas for maximum performance. The heater has a valve that you attach to a propane source such as a standard gas bottle, readily available at garden centres, petrol stations and local DIY stores.
The 2KW heater is very effective. It comes with a controllable thermostat that lets you change the temperature with a numbered dial similar to that of a thermostat on a radiator. You don’t get a precise temperature but you can manoeuver it from high to low heat through the pre-set numbers provided.
The unit is well made and can stand comfortably on its own. It cannot be mounted since no brackets are provided which is a shame. The unit is lightweight and that means you can move it easily from place to place.
The unit is designed with an oxygen depletion system. This makes certain that the carbon dioxide levels are high enough to support the plants as they grow. Propane heaters produce carbon dioxide as much as paraffin heaters. This is why these heaters are popular when raising seedlings in a greenhouse setting.
The dimensions of the unit are 30cm (width), 13cm (depth) and 48 cm (height).
Pros
- Propane heater is standalone and lightweight, so it’s easily moveable about the space and into different greenhouses.
- Efficiently keeps the greenhouse at a consistent temperature.
- Inexpensive to run if you shop around for the best gas prices.
- Emits carbon dioxide as a by-product that’s beneficial for plants.
- Contains a safety valve and piezo ignition for reliability.
Cons
- Temperature control is not very precise.
- Hose pipe is a little short.
Our recommendation
The Eden Gas Greenhouse Heater offers excellent value for money when you take into consideration the features provided. The unit runs on propane gas which can be expensive in some areas, so it’s worth checking prices first. The heater is of simple construction and emits heat from the top.
The unit provides 2KW of output which is about right for most small greenhouses. Since the unit is well built, you can expect many years of service from it if you look after it well, including having it regularly serviced.
If you like gas appliances and have a small to medium-sized greenhouse, the Eden 2KW Gas Greenhouse Heater is a sturdy and safe choice.
7. Biogreen PHX 2.8/GB Phoenix Electric Fan Heater 1.0/ 1.8 /2.8KW
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The Biogreen PHX 2.8/GB Phoenix Electric Fan Heater is a slightly larger model than our Best Pick, the Bio Green PAL 2.0/GB 2KW Palma Heater, and has the thermostat built-in. This is handy for you to select the temperature you want the greenhouse inside air to be at. You have a choice of three power levels to run this heater at 1KW, 1.8KW and 2.8KW (which is the result of running the first two heating parts together).
This Biogreen PHX 2.8/GB model has many of the same structural features as our Best Pick. It’s made of stainless steel, a rustproof metal that is handy in the damp environment of a greenhouse. Stainless steel is also durable and lasts many years. The heater itself is spray proof and can withstand the occasional spray of water from your irrigation system or watering can; it cannot stand up a deluge though. You can use the heating part with the fan or the fan alone to circulate and cool the air and to slow down any mould or fungus growth.
You have a choice of a temperature adjustment range of 0°C and 26°C with this heater. That’s enough of a range to produce hardy young seedlings and to facilitate the growth of strong and healthy mature plants. However, unlike the precision of the thermostat in our Best Pick, this model’s temperature control is reported by online reviewers to be within 4°C or so of the requested temperature.
Pros
- Electric greenhouse fan with choice of three heating powers.
- Heating and cooling settings on the fan allow you to use this heat to just move the air around for better ventilation.
- Floor mounted safely with brackets or roof mounted with (included) hanging chains so fits into any greenhouse set up.
- Spray proof and comes with the IPX4 certification to prove it.
- Stainless steel for rustproof operation and durability in a moist environment.
- Heats a growing space up to 9.3m2 so make sure you’re using your space efficiently.
- Frost protection in a space of up to 16.7m2, so you can overwinter large and fully grown plants.
- Temperature range between 0°C and 26°C suits both young seedlings and fully grown plans.
Cons
- Thermostat is not as accurate as a digital one.
Our recommendation
The Biogreen PHX 2.8/GB Phoenix Electric Fan Heater is a powerful electric greenhouse heater that offers you a choice of heating outputs. Choose for whatever your plants need at the time or for how quickly you want to heat the greenhouse air. Your choice of temperature adjustments is in a range that’s suitable for all stages of most domestic plants’ lives, though the thermostat is not very precise. Instead of opening the roof vent on a hot day, use the heater’s fan to circulate the air and cool down the greenhouse interior.
If you have a larger greenhouse and want to grow plants with changing temperature needs, the Biogreen PHX 2.8/GB Phoenix Electric Fan Heater is worth considering.
Buyer’s Guide
Buying a heater for your greenhouse is not quite as simple as it first seems. It’s not that the heaters themselves are complicated, it’s that you need to put quite a lot of thought, planning and even some basic maths into your decision. But don’t worry, this Buyer’s Guide explains the basics of all of this.
Size
Let’s get the maths over with right at the start. Conveniently, the specifications of most heaters tell you what floor area (in m2 or ft2) they can efficiently heat. These measurements assume a standard height greenhouse as the space inside is really in m3 or ft3. You just have to measure your greenhouse floor dimensions and work out the area.
If your greenhouse area is larger than your intended heater can handle, you have several choices: move up to a larger heater; buy two or more of your chosen heaters; or insulate your greenhouse if you have not done so already. On the other hand, if your chosen heater puts out too much hot air for your growing space, select a smaller heater. You don’t want your plants to be too hot or to have to keep your roof vent or door open when the heater’s on – that’s just wasting electricity/gas/paraffin.
So, the obvious question is, how do you know how much heat your plants need? What temperature should you keep the inside of the greenhouse at? Well, that’s where your/your neighbour’s horticultural knowledge/reference books come in or a google search.
Plus knowledge of how hot it gets inside your greenhouse at different times of the year and the investment in a really good thermometer. Plus your plans for what to grow when. Are you going to be starting your seeds in early spring? Are you going to be overwintering your plants? Are you growing orchids and other exotic hothouse plants? Please spend time on these considerations as they really determine the type and size of the heater that’s best for your growth plans.
Power Source
You have three different kinds of power sources for your greenhouse heater. Your choice may come down to personal preference, the availability of any one of these or the cost.
Paraffin
The more traditional heaters use paraffin as a fuel source. They don’t need much maintenance. While they do produce some emissions as by-products of burning the fuel, two of them are carbon dioxide and water. These by-products are beneficial to plants and help to create a healthy environment inside the greenhouse.
Paraffin heaters don’t allow you to regulate the temperature that much. They are better suited for keeping the frost out of the greenhouse in autumn, winter and early spring rather than regulating the temperature to a particular degree. They don’t have built-in thermostats or thermometers and you have to manually turn them on and off. The heater will continue running by itself until it runs out of fuel.
While the water produced adds wonderfully to the humidity in the greenhouse, too much moisture encourages mould, so watch out for that. In some places, paraffin fuel is expensive, more so than electricity or propane gas. This might affect your purchasing decision.
Paraffin heaters are useful if your greenhouse is out of the way, without access to the electric grid.
Electricity
Electric heaters are the easiest to use as long as you have a power outlet to plug them in. The best ones have an inbuilt thermostat which you set to the required temperature. The heaters switch themselves on until that temperature is reached and then turn themselves on. When the temperature drops a set amount, back on comes the heater, just like the central heating in your home. The not-so-top-of-the-line electric heaters may have just a couple of power settings that you choose and they run at that setting.
Putting an electric appliance in an environment that, at the least, is humid and at the most has a running irrigation system can be risky. Look for heaters that are splash-proof. A certification of IPX4 or IPX6 (even better) is necessary for your safety.
Heaters with fans make your life and the greenhouse environment easier. Fans remove excessive water from the air as they circulate the warm air. You can even run the fans without the heating element being on if you want to cool the greenhouse air.
Some electric fans are freestanding and others can be mounted on the wall to keep them out of the way. Of course, as with any electric appliance, you can hook a timer up to your electric heater, if you have a schedule on which you heat your greenhouse, in the evening for example.
Propane
Propane heaters use the familiar and readily available propane gas bottles as their fuel source. Just like paraffin based heaters, propane units produce a great deal of carbon dioxide which is important in the photosynthetic process. The only drawback is the moisture produced, which may create too much humidity if left unattended.
Keep track of how long you’ve used the gas bottle and how much running time the manufacturer says each bottle gives. The difficulty with propane greenhouse heaters is finding models with thermostats; we found just one gas model that we would recommend.
Most units measure the output in kilowatts (KW) The higher the KW, the more heat is output and the more space can be heated. Most basic models range from 1KW to 3KW.
Insulating your greenhouse
We just want to briefly encourage you to insulate your greenhouse to save on heating costs. One way is to pin bubble wrap to the walls. The air in the bubbles provides an efficient and low-cost insulating layer to the air inside the greenhouse. We have a step-by-step guide to doing this. We also review the four of the best materials for insulating your greenhouse. These materials include the above-mentioned bubble wrap and also fleece.
Safety
Putting any kind of heater inside an environment designed to have moist, humid air, a working irrigation system and organic matter needs some safety considerations. Please read carefully the safety instructions that come with any heater and any other garden appliance you have in the greenhouse. Keep out kids and pets and be careful when you’re pottering around in there yourself.
FAQs
Do I need to be near an electric outlet to have a greenhouse heater?
No. The greenhouse heaters we review here are powered by either paraffin, gas or electricity. Each of these methods has its own advantages and drawbacks. Electricity is clean and cheap, but you do need to be by an outlet. Paraffin is the traditional method of heating, giving your plants beneficial carbon dioxide but can be expensive. Propane gas is readily available and relatively inexpensive but may produce too much water in the air. See our Buyer’s Guide for this information.
How do I know how much to heat my greenhouse?
Your greenhouse’s inside temperature should be suitable for the plants you want to grow there.
The natural inside temperature depends on:
- How many windows and doors there are and where they’re sited (Does warm air rush out or cold air rush in when they’re opened?)
- Where the greenhouse is sited (north, south etc) and how much sun it gets.
- The time of the year.
- How insulated is your greenhouse? (What is the glazing made of? Is there additional insulation?)
You need to calculate the difference between the outside temperature and the inside temperature of your greenhouse and heat or cool it so that it’s the temperature your plants need.
Final Conclusion
Finding a good heater for your greenhouse may seem like a complicated process. What you need to remember is that the size of your greenhouse will determine the amount of power that you use. It is better if you find those that produce carbon dioxide because it will benefit your plants. The amount of power you use will affect your monthly bill so choose wisely.
An easy to maintain unit will always be of benefit to you. Having a thermostat allows you to have more control over the temperature in your greenhouse climate.
Below is a quick roundup of some of our favourite greenhouse heaters:
Best Pick
Bio Green Palma Heater with Digital Thermostat
I have looked at the products presented and I analysed the pros and cons of each greenhouse heater. After careful consultation, I chose the Bio Green 2KW electric Palma Heater as the best greenhouse heater for most gardeners, and that includes myself, which is why I also use one in my own small greenhouse.
The 2kw model can warm up small places pretty quickly. The warm air is distributed evenly and quickly. It has precise temperature controls and a wide range of temperature adjustment selections. It is not that expensive to run because it has a thermostat that switches it off once optimum temperatures are reached.
Overall an excellent greenhouse heater and one that is also affordable to run.
BEST PARAFFIN HEATER
BEST GAS HEATER
Other product reviews you may also be interested in (Links will open in new window).
How to insulate your greenhouse
Read our reviews of the best automatic greenhouse vent openers
Best mini greenhouses for small gardens
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
