Forget Demogorgons; Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin is busy tending to the vegetables in his rustic greenhouse.
Yes, the talented actor recently shared a behind-the-scenes look at his gardening space on Instagram, and it’s about as far from the nightmares of the Upside Down as you can get; think a simple frame, polycarbonate panels, a gravel floor and raised beds full of lush green growth.
It caught my eye as I was scrolling through my feed earlier this week because it isn’t just another influencer-styled sunroom filled with curated décor. Instead, it’s simple, practical and refreshingly down-to-earth – the kind of grow-your-own setup anyone can try, even if they're very new to greenhouse gardening.
Why Caleb McLaughlin’s Greenhouse Feels So Inspiring
Caleb McLaughlin's rustic greenhouse is, like I say, almost intentionally bare; the space is dedicated to those three long raised beds running down the length of the space, each filled with vegetables (those tall vines look very much like beans).
There's no decorative corners, no seating, and definitely no clutter; it's just a working greenhouse focused on food production. And not in a scary survival garden kind of way, either, but one that suggests Caleb isn't just another celebrity doing their best to curate a wholesome image. This guy is a real hands-in-the-soil gardener!
Check it out:
It's not just that it's been built from polycarbonate sheets, which diffuse light beautifully and are far more affordable and durable than glass; it's the gravel flooring, too, which is actually one of the smartest choices in the entire build.
Why? Because it improves drainage, keeps humidity down, stabilizes temperatures, and keeps weeds and pests at day – all while remaining cheap, practical and a hallmark of greenhouses built by people who actually grow things. Not just, y'know, photograph them.
How to Recreate Caleb’s Greenhouse Look at Home
Keen to recreate this unfussy setup for yourself? It's actually very easy to steal Caleb's veggie-forward vibe, even if you're on a budget. All you have to do is choose polycarbonate over glass, make raised beds the center of the space, and focus on function over aesthetics.
Now, you could splash out on a pre-built option (something like Amazon's WKM Greenhouse for Outdoors) is perfect. Otherwise, you can whip your own greenhouse by constructing a frame of polycarb panels and setting them down on a sturdy foundation.
Your essential shopping list:
Gravel flooring is a simple way to boost the effectiveness of your greenhouse.
Polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable, making it a safer and more durable option for a greenhouse.
Raised vegetable beds means you can grow a wide range of crops without ever bending over.
Finally, don't forget to take another leaf out of Caleb McLaughlin's gardening book and plant fast-growing vegetables with high-yields if you want to make the most of your space: Radishes, bush beans and intercrops like lettuce, arugula, spinach, baby bok choy cabbage, and kale are all excellent choices.
Celebrity gardens often feel unattainable, but Caleb McLaughlin’s rustic greenhouse setup is proof that simple materials and a clear purpose can create something truly inspiring.
Whether you’re growing beans, tomatoes or herbs for your kitchen, a few raised beds, a polycarbonate shell and a gravel floor may be all you need to build your own backyard sanctuary. No Eleven-style superpowers required.… although I still wouldn’t say no to a spot of telekinesis.
