A Tabletop Greenhouse for Growing Herbs

Welcome to the 227th Metamorphosis Monday!

Happy Monday! Hope your weekend was wonderful!

Today for Met Monday, I’m sharing a small update out on the porch.  I don’t often change things out here since I’m pretty happy with it, as is.  If I make a change something else usually has to leave.

A while back I made an update to the small oval table under the Summer Breeze sign.  You may remember, it got a bigger lamp, one more suited for the size of the table and the room.  (Read about the lamp update here: A New Lamp for the Porch.   I’ve been really happy will that Tuesday Morning find and am still keeping my eye out for a lamp better suited for the small chair-side table across the room.  I know one will eventually find me, but that’s a tale for another day.

Screened in Porch

Now, about that little oval table, most days, a mosaic birdhouse and a platter in my fave dishware pattern lives there. (Pic below shows old lamp.)  I love that silly little birdhouse so something had to really steal my heart to make me move it off the porch for the summer. Yes, I know change is good, but I do get a little “stuck in my ways” sometimes.

Screened Porch with Wicker Furniture and Mosaic Birdhouse

So, here’s how this change all got started. A year or so ago, we were talking tabletop greenhouses over on Facebook.  Pssst: Come follow BNOTP on Facebook, we have some fun discussions there!  Anyway, a dearheart shared this amazing greenhouse she had purchased at Pottery Barn.  It was a bit more than I wanted to spend at the time, so I just saved the pic to my computer to think about it for a while.  The greenhouse is one of those items that’s not available in the PB stores, can only be purchased online.  Isn’t it beyond cute?

Pottery Barn Greenhouse Terrarium

After several months of “can’t-get-it-out-of-my-head” syndrome, I broke down and ordered the small one. That was last summer or early fall if I’m remembering correctly.  I bought the smaller of the two sizes.  It was $129 and more than I really wanted to spend.  That meant it had to be an absolutely perfect fit for the porch or it would definitely be going back.

It arrived and even though I ordered the smaller of the two, it was HUGE!  You don’t realize how big this greenhouse is until you see it. Unfortunately, it overwhelmed the oval table on the porch and was even too wide to use on the dining table in that space.  I had plans for making it a centerpiece on the dining table when entertaining, not to eat around but to just place food or plates, etc… around.  That would not have been possible, it was just too wide.

Before returning it, I hauled it all over the house trying to find a place to use it.  It was just so cute, I hated to return it.  I tried it on the coffee table in the upstairs family room, it was too big there, too.  Finally I had to face the fact, I just didn’t have a good spot for it anywhere.  Reluctantly, I returned it to the PB that’s about 2 miles from my home.  (Pictures above and below from Pottery Barn online.)

Pottery Barn Greenhouse Terrarium

Recently, I stopped in Marshalls to see what fun things they had gotten in for spring. I couldn’t believe my eyes, they had greenhouses almost identical to the PB version and they were only $29!   They had it in both a dark gray and a soft green color, I ended up going with the green.

Growing Herbs in a Tabletop Greenhouse

The top lifts up (just like the PB greenhouse) for easy access. There are also little doors on the side that open out.  The PB greenhouse has one large door that opens on the side.  All the glass in both greenhouses is real and not plastic…like that!

Growing Herbs in a Tabletop Greenhouse

This one is actually 1 1/2 inches longer than the smaller Pottery Barn greenhouse but it’s about an inch shorter in height and 2 1/2 inches narrower (less wide) than the PB version.  It fit perfectly on the porch dining table, leaving space around for serving platters/dishes during a party and it looks great on the oval table.  It also doesn’t overwhelm the lamp on that table like the PB greenhouse did.

Growing Basil, Oregano and Parsley in a Tabletop Greenhouse

Of course, I couldn’t wait to fill it.  I initially thought about flowers but herbs just seemed like a better fit for this cutie.  Currently, it contains parsley, oregano and basil.  Does this mean I actually have to cook now? 😉

Growing Herbs in a Tabletop Greenhouse

Sidenote: I may look for a little tray to go inside.  It has a metal liner on the bottom, but just to be on the safe side, if you buy one, don’t place it on a nice table without first determining if it leaks.  So far, mine hasn’t leaked, but the oval table on the porch has a polyurethane finish over the wood top, so I’m not really worried.  This table also gets wet when it rains really hard, another reason for the polyurethane top.  Just be careful about placing your greenhouse on a table with a nice finish that wouldn’t stand up to water, just in case.

Growing Herbs in a Tabletop Greenhouse

Here’s how it looks out on the porch, replacing the mosaic birdhouse and platter for now.

Screened-In Porch with White Wicker Furniture

Oh, one more little detail I should mention.  It has a little round window/hole on either end, just like the PB greenhouse.  It also has the cutest little latch for latching the top when it’s closed. Love those small details!

Latch on Greenhouse for Locking Lid

So, if you’ve been drooling over that adorable greenhouse online at Pottery Barn, here’s a pretty nifty replacement for just $29.  🙂 That’s a savings of $100!  So glad the other one turned out to be too big now.  Funny how things work out, right?

Growing Herbs in a Tabletop Greenhouse

Have I mentioned lately how much I love HomeGoods, Marshalls and TJ Max?  I think they are all part of the same parent company and I am forever amazed at the awesome deals you can find in those stores.  And, no…they have not paid me to say that! 🙂  Just a happy customer sharing the good stuff with you when I find it.

So, that’s my little summertime update for zay porch.   Looking forward to the Before and Afters posted for this Met Monday!

Screened Porch

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80 Comments

I am pretty much obsessed with all of those stores!!! Love your little greenhouse. I keep wanting to get one, but then have no idea where to put it. Your little pots of herbs look super cute! Thanks for the party!
P.S. My geraniums are doing great so far!!

Thank you Susan for hosting. I love the greenhouse and the tips you gave us from your experience. I am so tempted to rush out and try to find one.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer.

Oh, I love this! The PB one is really nice, but how lucky you found one that’s even better and cheaper! It looks perfect with the herbs, but I predict you will be doing many more things with your new adorable little house!

I love the greenhouse on your little wicker table Susan. I have a small one I found at Marshall’s and it is one of my favorite things. Thanks for hosting today and have a great week. Blessings, Patti@OldThingsNew

Wow, I love your little greenhouse. I have been looking for something similar, as any green plants in my house need protection from our leaf-loving cats! I will have to swing by TJ Maxx (no Marshall’s in my town) and see if they have any. Thanks for hosting!

Jessie, if they don’t have it now, check back. I think they are just getting them in and I’ve noticed that things seem to trickle in to different areas at different times.

Great find Susan! It looks wonderful on your table. Like the green color too. Big fan of Marshall’s and T J Maxx. I go about once a week to hunt for good stuff.

Thanks for providing a great place to link up our projects week after week! I love the greenhouse… Need to take a trip to TJ Maxx 🙂
XO,
Christy

What a deal! I love TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, and Home Goods, too, but who doesn’t? It’s beautiful, Susan, and so is the white lamp. Thank you for hosting each week. I’ll be back in a few minutes to take care of a couple of links.

Susan, I love this little green house! I have been threatening to grow herbs for some time now, I just haven’t gotten a “round tuit,” as Zig Ziglar would say, lol. 😀 I’m wondering though, do I have a goldilocks spot for this item? Hmm … hmm … I’m going to have to put on my thinking cap. (Plus, find out where the nearest Marshall’s is.) Thanks so much for sharing. Another cute, AND practical, idea. 🙂

I have greenhouse envy!! It couldn’t look more perfect, really, and those little windows and doors!! Thanks for sharing, and for hosting 🙂

Your miniature greenhouse is very pretty and goes perfectly with everything in your porch !
I have an old ,unused aquarium–it is zinc and glass-painted red– this has given me the idea to change it into a greenhouse ! !
Just linked to your party–thank you !

Hi Susan! Oh, I just love your little greenhouse and I love every chance I get to view your lovely porch! Hope you’re doing well and are feeling good now. Prayers always going up for little Max.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉

Susan
Love your greenhouse. They had those at our TJ Maxx in green and gray. I almost got one the day I saw them. I went back down the isle that had them 4-5 times before I left the store to give them another look. I knew if I did not get one that day they would be gone quickly, but I walked away from them. Now seeing yours I of course regret not getting one. I really just did not know where I would have put it. My 2 porches do not need more things on them, so I passed. I am not good at letting something go if I bring in new things. 🙂
Blessings,
Shelly

Shelly, they just got them in here so go back, they may have more. I’m not totally getting rid of the bird house, just tucking it away for now until I find a good spot for it. You’ll find lots of uses for the greenhouse…I’m thinking holiday decorating, too. 🙂

Love the greenhouse idea. But I have to ask, where did the birdhouse and plate end up? The reason I ask is that I always have difficulty moving things around. I want to show everything all the time. How do you do it? Hope you and Max are doing well.
Hugs, Valerie

I love the mini greenhouses – I have several. Sadly, I kill every plant that dares to cross my path – so my greenhouse are home to everything under the sun EXCEPT plants – ha! As always, love your post.

Adorable green house! How great you guys have stores like TJMaxx to go to very close by! Your porch looks so gorgeous, warm and inviting every time!!! Thank you for the great party dear Susan. Enjoy your week.
FABBY

~Susan~
Looks wonderful, so darn cute ! And I love your white lamp!!!
Paula
In.

p.s Thank you for the info on Savannah. I was telling my daughter, and we agreed Road Trip !!!!!

Hello Susan,
Love your tabletop greenhouse – the color and the lines are marvelous – I love the hardware too! I do appreciate you hosting and hope you have a blessed week,
Kathy

Susan, I absolutely love your little green house and I think it looks perfect on that table. I have a TJ Max and Home Goods real close to me, but Marshalls I have to drive a bit. That was a great find and I love it when things work out that way.

I just love this post. My husband actually built one of these for me from my grandparents farmhouse windows. My family was just going to scrap them…no way! So? I came up with a design and? He made it into a reality. It’s four feet long,two feet deep and about 30 inches high.The only thing it really cost is was some hardware! We had such a wonderful time putting it together. He even put it on castors so we can move it from the porch to the deck! We use it all year for herbs, flowers, and I fill it full of pine cones and boughs in the winter. We named it Lilia after my grandma…
Your porch is just gorgeous! Such a wonderful place to curl up with a cup of coffee and a good read! Thank you for sharing!

Cute Greenhouse! I have to agree with you – I am a huge fan of TJMaxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods. Although I have learned – if you don’t buy it when you see it – you are out of luck!! I am always texting my daughter in another town and having her look at her stores to see if they have that one more plate I need! Thanks for hosting another great party.

Wow, Susan,
a savings of $100?! That’s a lot of $$! So glad for you, you got your cute greenhouse for that great price!
I love it… and let’s not forget how versatile it is… I know you’ll decorate it beautifully for holidays and seasons, too, right? Otherwise Susan, you actually have to cook a lot, now and in the future, too, I’m afraid! 😉
~Hugs to you and sweet Max~
Cecilia

Liz, are you close to a Marshalls? They had a good many in the Marshalls here so that makes me think they will be getting them into the other stores, too.

I saw that greenhouse at Marshall’s a few weeks ago and loved it too! It looks adorable on your porch!

Hi Susan,

About a year and half ago, PB had both sizes of that greenhouse in their store and I just HAD to have it. My son had given me a very generous gift card so I went ahead and bought it. It “lives” on my FR coffee table. I change its contents with the seasons. My FR doesn’t get a lot of light, so I “plant” it with faux flowers and greenery along with little bird statuary and a small rock that says “faith”. In the Fall it contains pumpkins and fall leaves and Indian corn. At Christmas it’s a small church surrounded by snow covered bottle brush trees and a couple of small faux “fir” trees. It’s one of those accessories I will never part with as it truly makes a statement no matter where you put it.

I have a lot of PB accessories and I find I never tire of them. They have the most AMAZING buyers and designers who stage their products so beautifully. Of course, I’m also a TJ Maxx, Home Goods and Marshall’s lover as well. Almost NEVER leave there without something.

Great post!
Trish

Trish, that sounds wonderful. You’ve given me some ideas for filling it when I kill those poor unsuspecting plants I have in there now. 😉 Those PB buyers are savvy…they know what we love! 🙂 What a sweet son you have! Mine helped me pay a huge bill at Georgia Veterinary Hospital for Max for Mother’s Day. They are good to us, aren’t they? 🙂

Hi Susan!
As I am sitting here doing my report
Cards for my students( I’m somewhat
Incapacitated with a broken ankle) , I
Really enjoyed the quick diversion of
Scanning your post about your newly
Acquired herb greenhouse! I really need one
Of those! Very cool! Have fun growing your
Herbs and using them in your cooking!

Silly me! I was on a Zipline at my
Schools playground where I teach
Kindergarten. I mAde it across the first
Time, but lost my grip the second time
Around! Thanks for your compassionate reply.
Your blog among some others keep me
Inspired to persevere with new ideas.
I have to get one of the greenhouses
Soon for my herbs!

Do you still have that little tabletop greenhouse you got from Marshall’s I cannot find one anything like it I would be interested in purchasing it

Debbie

I do, but I don’t want to part with it. Debbie, check on eBay, perhaps someone will have one available. This isn’t the best time of year to look for them in the stores, springtime would be better. So if you don’t find one now, check HomeGoods, Marshalls, TJ Max…places like that, next spring.