Anyone who keeps tropical plants knows the problem: they need a lot more than water and a sunny windowsill. To give my leafy housemates the conditions they love, I turned an IKEA Rudsta into a modern, practical IKEA greenhouse cabinet. In this guide I’ll show you step by step how I did it, including the products I use, a few tips and what I’ve learned along the way.
🛠️ Why the IKEA Rudsta makes a great IKEA greenhouse cabinet
The Rudsta is really meant to be a classic glass-door display cabinet, and that is exactly what makes it such a good base for a plant cabinet.
- Compact, slim footprint: fits into smaller rooms too
- Large glass panels: let in plenty of light and give you a clear view of your plants
- Understated, modern design: blends into almost any living space
- Metal back panel and frame: perfect for magnetic accessories such as lights or fans
By the way, this DIY greenhouse cabinet doesn’t only work with the tall or wide IKEA Rudsta. Other models such as the Fabrikör, Milsbo, Blåliden, Klingsbo or Baggebo also make an excellent base for your own plant cabinet, depending on the space you have and the style you like.
🌞 Lighting: the right light for your plants
Tropical plants need a lot of light, especially in the darker months. I went for full-spectrum LED grow lights that attach magnetically.
My pick:
🔸 Barrina T5 grow lights: perfect for the Rudsta and anything else with a metal surface
Last updated on 2026-11-14 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
Tip: put the grow lights on a smart plug and they switch on and off on a fixed schedule, so your plants get a steady day and night rhythm without you having to think about it. I use a Meross plug with Matter over Wi-Fi: it works with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant, and the Meross app also shows how much power the lights draw. In the UK you need the version with a Type G plug, which is the one shown below.
💧 Humidity: a tropical climate inside the cabinet
To keep my Alocasias, Monsteras and Philodendrons healthy, high humidity is a top priority. Alocasias prefer a humidity of 60–80 %, Monsteras do well at 60–80 % and Philodendrons are happiest at 70–85 %. A humidifier helps keep these values steady and supports healthy growth.
My picks:
🔸 Levoit Classic 160 humidifier (2.5 litres): compact, quiet and adjustable
🔸 HOBBY Hygro System: an efficient misting system with a 4-litre water tank
A small humidifier at the bottom of the cabinet creates an ideal microclimate right inside without taking up much space. If you need more output or want to keep the interior as clear as possible, you can drill a hole and place a more powerful humidifier outside the cabinet instead. That keeps things tidy inside while your plants still get the humidity they need. Rubber grommets keep the hole neat and protect the hose and cables.
Last updated on 2026-11-14 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
Last updated on 2026-11-12 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
Last updated on 2026-11-12 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
To keep an eye on the climate, I also use a compact SwitchBot thermometer and hygrometer. It sits discreetly inside the cabinet and reliably measures both humidity and temperature. The handy part: I can read both values on the display right in the Rudsta, so I can see at a glance how warm it is inside and how humid the air is. The data also goes to my smartphone, so I can react straight away if something is off.
One thing to know about the smart home side: SwitchBot meters talk to your phone over Bluetooth. To get readings and alerts while you’re out, and to use them in Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa via Matter, you need a Matter-enabled SwitchBot hub. The weather station kit below already includes one (a Hub Mini with Matter), together with the Meter Pro display and an outdoor sensor. The smaller Meter Plus works on its own over Bluetooth, or through a Matter-enabled SwitchBot hub if you already have one.
Last updated on 2026-11-12 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
Last updated on 2026-11-12 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
🔄 Air circulation: fresh air against mould
Stale, humid air is a real problem over time for plants such as Alocasias or Philodendrons: it encourages mould and fungal growth and makes the leaves more prone to disease. To stop the Rudsta from getting too stuffy, I fitted a small, quiet USB fan. It keeps the air gently moving and helps spread the moisture more evenly. I particularly like models with a magnetic mount: they attach to the metal wall in seconds and are just as quick to move if needed. That keeps the climate in the cabinet nicely balanced, and the plants are visibly happier.
In my experience, 80 mm fans fit the Rudsta better than the larger 120 mm models. They’re more compact and still move enough air, so everything stays tidy and the plants still benefit from the airflow. If you’re looking for a matching mount for your fan, my shop succulentswithlove has accessories for magnetic mounting, so you can position the fan wherever you like without drilling.
My picks:
🔸 upHere U80 USB fan: extremely quiet, powered by USB
🔸 Magnetic fan mount for USB fans: holds the fan on the metal wall without drilling, available as a set with or without a fan
🔸 Flex-arm fan mount (magnetic): lets you angle the fan freely and also fits the Fabrikör, Milsbo and Detolf
🔸 Monstera-design fan guard: a protective grille for 80 mm and 120 mm fans that keeps leaves away from the blades
🎁 Reader discount: use the code IDD10 to get 10 % off these three items in my shop succulentswithlove. The shop ships within Germany, the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Last updated on 2026-11-14 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
🧲 Magnetic mounts: flexible and no drilling
One of the best tricks with the Rudsta: its metal walls take magnetic accessories. That means you can place lights, fans and even small shelves wherever you like, without drilling a single hole.
My picks:
🔸 Magnetic hooks
🔸 Magnetic plant holders
🔸 Organiser baskets that double as plant holders
🔸 The magnetic fan mount or the flex-arm mount from my shop, 10 % off with the code IDD10
Last updated on 2026-11-12 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
Last updated on 2026-11-12 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
🪴 Plant pots: small, pretty and practical
For my plant cabinet I like pots that look good but are also practical, which for me means self-watering. After all, watering shouldn’t become a daily chore. I’m a big fan of the elho Vibes: they look modern, come in several colours and fit in well with the overall look. I also find the Lechuza Mini Deltini really practical: simple but functional, with a reliable water reservoir. If you prefer a minimalist look, plain pots with a wick system are worth a try too, and they work really well for smaller plants. That way watering stays relaxed and your plants are still well looked after.
My picks:
🔸 elho pots with a water reservoir
🔸 Lechuza Mini Deltini
Last updated on 2026-11-12 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
Last updated on 2026-11-12 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
Last updated on 2026-11-12 / affiliate links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API. Prices shown may have changed since then. All information without guarantee. * = affiliate link: if you order a product through such a link, we receive a commission from the seller. There are no extra costs for you.
🧼 Extra shelves with acrylic
To make even better use of the space in the Rudsta, I’ve now added made-to-measure acrylic shelves. This is especially handy for smaller plants that would otherwise get lost at the bottom. They sit on the original shelf supports that already come with the Rudsta cabinet.
If you’d like to do the same, any acrylic cut-to-size service will make the shelves for you, online or locally. I recommend a thickness of at least 8 mm, and 10 mm is even better, so the shelves are sturdy enough and don’t sag under heavier pots.
On request, I also offer paid templates for the acrylic shelves, ideal if you’d rather skip the measuring. They fit the Rudsta’s shelf supports as well.
✨ Verdict: my little jungle in the living room
What started as a simple DIY project has become one of my favourite pieces in the flat. The Rudsta isn’t just practical, it’s a real eye-catcher too. My plants love the controlled microclimate, and I love the view every time I walk past.
If you want to build your own plant cabinet, the Rudsta is a perfect starting point. With a bit of planning and the right tools, you can create your own green oasis, even in a small space.
Got questions about the conversion or need help planning your own plant cabinet?
Just leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to help!
