Lean into the greenhouse:

Having a greenhouse attached to the side of the house, fence, shed or garage will take up less space than a freestanding greenhouse, this is an advantage.

However, lean greenhouse models are often less desirable because there are limitations to where they can be located. They must go against an existing wall and there is usually more room in a patio or open area.

They are sometimes in the shadow of your supporting building, so they are best on a wall facing south. A greenhouse on a south-facing wall will cost much less to heat and will perform better as a solar greenhouse in the cold months than any free-standing greenhouse, because the most sunlight is collected from the south-facing wall of the greenhouse.

However, there are many benefits.

Easy access:

The semi-detached greenhouse allows you direct access from the adjoining building or from your home.

If the plan is to have it attached to your house, another benefit is that much of the solar heat that gets trapped in the greenhouse can even be used to partially heat a house.

Or even use the heat from your home to heat the greenhouse through a window or vent.

Rental:

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a location for a slim greenhouse. Whichever building it is attached to can shade the greenhouse in some parts of the day, limiting sun exposure.

This is definitely something to consider when choosing the supporting wall where the greenhouse will be built. If the lean greenhouse does not receive enough sun exposure, artificial sunlight provided by grow lights may be necessary.

If artificial lighting is needed, it is an advantage to place it on a wall, because the electrical connection for the lights may be more readily available, as well as the water and any other utility connections that may be required.

solar greenhouse:

The attached greenhouse is also a good choice for the hobbyist who relies on solar greenhouse gardening to keep plants and vegetables warm and healthy. The Solar Greenhouse page also has a great video.

The wall that the lean greenhouse is attached to acts as thermal mass for solar heat, basically acting like a sponge for heat, when the temperature cools down at night the heat from the day sun is radiated back into the greenhouse keeping it gets quite hot.

Greenhouse ventilation:

Being attached to a permanent structure, air circulation can be limited, limiting the amount of natural ventilation and air circulation.

Restricted Space:

The semi-detached greenhouse is perfect for enthusiasts who are short on space.

Having a greenhouse to the side of the house or close by will take up less space than a freestanding greenhouse, although the greenhouse is essentially cut in half, there will also be less space to work with.

Pros and Cons of Lean to Greenhouse:

Advantages:

  • Easy access to public services (for example, water and electricity connection)
  • Greater insulation and solar heating. (The wall insulates and acts as thermal mass).

Cons:

  • Limited space
  • limited light
  • Limited ventilation and temperature control