• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Gardening
  • Backyard Living
  • Lawncare
  • Hydroponics
  • Household
  • Bedroom

The Rex Garden

  • Pool, Hot Tub & Spa
  • About RexGarden
  • Contact Us
Homepage » Gardening

Last Updated: Dec 6, 2024 · by Rex · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small commission from visited links at no additional cost to you. · Leave a Comment

What To Grow In A Greenhouse

What to grow in a greenhouse depends on your goals, whether you're cultivating vegetables, fruits, herbs, or flowers. This guide explores the best greenhouse crops for beginners and experts, with tips on planting, care, and harvesting. Discover how to maximize your greenhouse's potential for year-round gardening success.

A square image of a beautiful glass greenhouse filled with fresh vegetation and tomatoes.
Read Next
  • Best Plants to Grow in a Greenhouse
  • Why Greenhouses Work
  • packaged into plastic containers or without.
  • 🌱 Greenhouse Gardening Tips
  • 💬 Feedback

Greenhouse farming is a great way to economize on the use of space in your backyard, or if you’re into medium-scale farming, it’s a viable way to grow crops off-season.

Globally, greenhouses have become the default method of growing many kitchen garden vegetables. In this guide, we’ll explore the best plants for greenhouse gardening, tips for their care, and suggestions tailored to different climates and skill levels.

Best Plants to Grow in a Greenhouse

Vegetables

1. Tomatoes

  • Best for: Beginners and experts
  • Growing Conditions: Full sun, 70–85°F, consistent watering during fruiting.
  • Care Tips: Use trellises or cages for support. Practice crop rotation to avoid soil-borne diseases. Hydroponic systems can work well for soil-free growth.
  • Harvesting: Pick tomatoes when they are firm and fully colored.

2. Peppers (Sweet and Hot)

  • Best for: Intermediate gardeners
  • Growing Conditions: 70–80°F with high humidity during early growth stages.
  • Care Tips: Water consistently but avoid waterlogging. Hand pollination can increase yields.
  • Harvesting: Harvest when the peppers are firm and glossy.

3. Leafy Greens (Spinach, Kale, Lettuce)

  • Best for: Beginners
  • Growing Conditions: Cooler climates, moderate sunlight, and regular watering.
  • Care Tips: Avoid overcrowding to reduce the risk of disease.
  • Harvesting: Cut outer leaves as needed or harvest the entire plant when mature.

4. Microgreens

Harvesting: Ready 2–4 weeks after sowing when seedlings are 1–3 inches tall.

Best for: All skill levels

Growing Conditions: Partial sunlight, 60–70°F, nutrient-rich soil or hydroponic medium.

Care Tips: Keep soil moist and avoid overwatering.

Fruits

5. Grapes

  • Best for: Experienced gardeners
  • Growing Conditions: Warm temperatures, good ventilation, and support from trellises.
  • Care Tips: Prune regularly to manage growth and reduce fungal risks. Hand-pollinate if necessary.
  • Harvesting: Pick when grapes are plump and sweet.

6. Strawberries

  • Best for: All skill levels
  • Growing Conditions: Bright, indirect sunlight, temperatures between 60–80°F, and well-draining, nutrient-rich soil.
  • Care Tips: Use containers or hanging baskets for better control of pests and soil conditions. Keep soil consistently moist and fertilize with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
  • Harvesting: Pick strawberries when they are fully red and fragrant, typically 4–6 weeks after flowering.

7. Figs

  • Best for: Intermediate to experienced gardeners
  • Growing Conditions: Warm temperatures (65–75°F), good ventilation, and a potting mix with excellent drainage.
  • Care Tips: Use a large container or plant in the soil for robust root development. Prune annually to encourage fruiting. Protect from frost in colder climates.
  • Harvesting: Pick figs when they are soft to the touch and fully ripe, typically late summer to early fall.

Herbs

8. Basil, Mint, and Parsley

  • Best for: Beginners
  • Growing Conditions: Moderate sunlight, 60–75°F, well-draining soil.
  • Care Tips: Harvest leaves regularly to encourage growth. Avoid overwatering.
  • Harvesting: Snip leaves as needed or cut back the plant for larger harvests.

Flowers

9. Orchids

  • Best for: Advanced gardeners
  • Growing Conditions: Indirect sunlight, high humidity, and well-draining orchid potting mix.
  • Care Tips: Mist regularly and avoid overwatering. Fertilize every 2–4 weeks with a balanced orchid fertilizer.
  • Harvesting: Flowers can be cut once fully open for decorative use.

10. Geraniums

  • Best for: Intermediate gardeners
  • Growing Conditions: Bright, indirect sunlight, moderate temperatures (65–75°F), and a well-draining soil mix.
  • Care Tips: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage blooming. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
  • Harvesting: Cut flowers as needed for arrangements or allow them to bloom continuously in the greenhouse.

11. Marigolds

  • Best for: Beginners
  • Growing Conditions: Full sun, temperatures between 65–85°F, and nutrient-rich, well-draining soil.
  • Care Tips: Marigolds are low-maintenance and pest-resistant. Water at the base to prevent fungal diseases.
  • Harvesting: Pick flowers when fully open for use as decoration or garden borders.

12. Petunias

  • Best for: Beginners to intermediate gardeners
  • Growing Conditions: Bright, direct sunlight, temperatures between 60–75°F, and well-draining soil.
  • Care Tips: Pinch back stems to encourage bushy growth and more blooms. Fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer every 1–2 weeks.
  • Harvesting: Flowers can be left to bloom continuously or cut for arrangements.
A wide trio-collage showing leafy greens, strawberries, and orchids growing beautifully in a greenhouse.

Why Greenhouses Work

Greenhouses create a controlled environment by regulating four key factors crucial for plant growth:

  • Light. Traps UV light to fuel photosynthesis and warm the interior, boosting plant metabolism and growth.
  • Temperature. Maintains optimal warmth for faster crop development, even during off-seasons.
  • Water and Nutrients. Ensures consistent hydration and nutrient delivery for healthy plants.
  • Air Circulation. Facilitates carbon dioxide exchange while managing humidity to prevent pests and diseases.

These conditions make greenhouses ideal for cultivating a wide range of crops, from leafy greens to flowering plants.

Factors Regulating Crop Growth Inside A Greenhouse

If you want to get into specifics and the science behind these four key factors, here's an explanation.

1. Light

Light is a crucial component of photosynthesis, the process by which plants make their food. Greenhouses regulate the light intensity, which in turn affects how much starch they build up and, therefore, how fast they can develop. Starch is important during a plant’s reproductive phase as it helps flowering.

During periods of high light intensity carbohydrate metabolism takes place very fast so that the plant is able to elongate and reach maturity faster, this is why crops grow faster in sunny weather than in winter.

2. Temperatures

What makes greenhouses so effective in speeding up the growth rate of plants is that they trap UV light and warm up the structure's interior. This is what is known as the greenhouse effect. Once these temperatures are raised, respiration takes place at a faster rate, which in turn speeds up the plant's metabolism.

Inevitably, higher temperatures go hand in hand with faster transpiration – the loss of water to the atmosphere – which, if unchecked, can lead to wilting of the plant. Therefore, transpiration needs to be compensated for by having an irrigation system to replenish the plant’s water and nutrients.

3. Water and Nutrients

Water is an important component of carbohydrates and also plays a role in the translocation or movement of carbohydrates or starch from the leaves to the roots and other growing parts of the plant.

Nutrients, on the other hand, are involved in synthesizing proteins and other building blocks of the plant, which are important for its development. Nutrients are taken up from the soil through the root system.

The soil type or media you use for growing your crop matters a lot in determining the availability of crucial nutrients for use by the plant. This presence is what we generally term soil fertility.

4. Air Circulation

The other important ingredient during photosynthesis is carbon dioxide. Plants combine carbon dioxide and water in the presence of light to make starch.

The greenhouse effect mentioned earlier is important in building up carbon dioxide within the greenhouse, which in turn increases starch metabolism.

Also, humidity builds up within the greenhouse when there’s a high transpiration rate. The buildup of humidity and low air circulation encourage the development of pests and diseases.

This may be done by incorporating shade nets within the greenhouse design to encourage ventilation.

SaleBestseller No. 1
GooingTop LED Grow Light,6000K Full Spectrum Clip Plant Growing Lamp with White Red LEDs for Indoor...
GooingTop LED Grow Light,6000K Full Spectrum Clip Plant Growing Lamp with White Red LEDs for Indoor...
  • 6000K White Light - equipped with 10 Red + 74 White LEDs, this growing Lamp is similar to the...
  • Timer Function & Multiple Settings - this growing light offer the timer function with 3 options that...
$19.19 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
SaleBestseller No. 2
Hlite 16inch 4 Pack LED Grow Lights - Linkable Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, Full Spectrum Plant...
Hlite 16inch 4 Pack LED Grow Lights - Linkable Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, Full Spectrum Plant...
  • [Full Spectrum]: Hlite high-quality hanging grow light brings the wonders of natural sunlight...
  • [Super Bright and High PPFD]: Consuming only 20W totally, replace 120W general plant lights. Over...
$31.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
SaleBestseller No. 1
Electric Patio Heater - Greenhouse Fan Heater Portable Space Heater, Adjustable Thermostat, for...
Electric Patio Heater - Greenhouse Fan Heater Portable Space Heater, Adjustable Thermostat, for...
  • 【Patio Heater for Outdoor】☀ The electric outdoor heater adopts innovative PTC technology....
  • 【Portable Heater Greenhouse or Patio】☀ Do you feel cold when working in the greenhouse or...
$35.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 2
Buyplus Greenhouse Heater with Digital Thermostat, 1500W Outdoor Heaters for Patio, Electric Space...
Buyplus Greenhouse Heater with Digital Thermostat, 1500W Outdoor Heaters for Patio, Electric Space...
  • Powerful Greenhouse Heater: The 1500W greenhouse heater quickly heats up to 215 square feet,...
  • Digital Thermostat: Buyplus greenhouse heater is equipped with a digital thermostat, which senses...
$67.47 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

SaleBestseller No. 1
HIRALIY 118FT Greenhouse Mist Drip Irrigation Kit, Hanging Plant Watering, Garden Watering System...
HIRALIY 118FT Greenhouse Mist Drip Irrigation Kit, Hanging Plant Watering, Garden Watering System...
  • This Misting Watering System: The kit contains 118FT ¼" irrigation tubing, 2Pcs Two-way connector,...
  • Easy To Assemble & Use: New quick connector, plug-and-play irrigation tube, not easy to fall off and...
$27.53 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 2
MIXC 65FT Greenhouse Watering System- Quick Efficient Connector Hanging Plant Watering System...
MIXC 65FT Greenhouse Watering System- Quick Efficient Connector Hanging Plant Watering System...
  • [Advanced Misting Watering System]The MIXC Misting Watering System kit offers top-notch features for...
  • [Easy Assembly & Seamless Operation]Experience effortless setup with the new quick connector,...
$24.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Bestseller No. 1
iLIVING 12' Wall Mounted Shutter Exhaust Fan, Automatic Shutter, with Thermostat and Variable Speed...
iLIVING 12" Wall Mounted Shutter Exhaust Fan, Automatic Shutter, with Thermostat and Variable Speed...
  • POWERFUL AIR VENTILATOR - 960 CFM, 115V, 0.6A, 1/20 Horse Power, 1650 RPM, Coverage up to 1400...
  • SPEED AND THERMAL CONTROL - Variable speed and temperature regulation control, comes with Variable...
$78.75 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
SaleBestseller No. 2
iLiving Wall Mounted Variable 14 Inches Speed Indoor/Outdoor Weatherproof Fan, Industrial grade for...
iLiving Wall Mounted Variable 14 Inches Speed Indoor/Outdoor Weatherproof Fan, Industrial grade for...
  • 14 inch curved fan blades for optimal air movement
  • Speed adjustable with pull chain control featuring three different speeds
$85.00 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

SaleBestseller No. 1
Gardeners Basics, Heirloom Hot Salsa Growing Seed Packets 8 Varieties Habanero, Jalapeno, Serrano...
Gardeners Basics, Heirloom Hot Salsa Growing Seed Packets 8 Varieties Habanero, Jalapeno, Serrano...
  • 8 VARIETY PACK - All the seeds you need for your hot salsa garden. 8 Varieties to help you grow a...
$14.95 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
SaleBestseller No. 2
1,500+ Tomato Seeds, Heirloom Vegetable Seed for Planting Indoor Outdoor, 10 Varieties Salad Tomato...
1,500+ Tomato Seeds, Heirloom Vegetable Seed for Planting Indoor Outdoor, 10 Varieties Salad Tomato...
  • Salad or Paste: Tomato is very tasty food, no matter adding to salad or make to tomato paste. There...
$5.00 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
SaleBestseller No. 3
Sow Right Seeds - Beefsteak Tomato Seeds for Planting - Non-GMO Heirloom Packet with Instructions to...
Sow Right Seeds - Beefsteak Tomato Seeds for Planting - Non-GMO Heirloom Packet with Instructions to...
  • Beautiful - Large full-color packets of Beefsteak Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seed. Heirloom...
$4.94 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 4
Sereniseed Certified Organic Tomato Seeds (10-Pack) – Non GMO, Open Pollinated – Cherokee...
Sereniseed Certified Organic Tomato Seeds (10-Pack) – Non GMO, Open Pollinated – Cherokee...
  • USDA Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth
$9.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Market Gardening vs. Export Production

Vegetables can be grown to sell locally at the grocery store or for export. In the former, the vegetables are sold at the farm gate or may be transported to the nearest town for sale in the market. In the case of export, these are normally processed and packed before export for use by big supermarket chains.

SaleBestseller No. 1
Sereniseed Certified Organic Leafy Greens Lettuce Seeds Collection (10-Pack) – 100% Non GMO, Open...
Sereniseed Certified Organic Leafy Greens Lettuce Seeds Collection (10-Pack) – 100% Non GMO, Open...
  • USDA Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth
$9.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 2
Survival Garden Seeds 5 Greens Collection Seed Vault – Grow Non-GMO Heirloom Green Leafy...
Survival Garden Seeds 5 Greens Collection Seed Vault – Grow Non-GMO Heirloom Green Leafy...
  • Year Round Nutrition - These leafy greens, from our seed vault collection that includes spinach and...
$7.98 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
SaleBestseller No. 3
4000+ Leafy Greens Seeds, 10 Varieties of Veggies for Planting, Heirloom Seeds Gift Pack, Garden...
4000+ Leafy Greens Seeds, 10 Varieties of Veggies for Planting, Heirloom Seeds Gift Pack, Garden...
  • Tips for Easy Germination: Soaking seeds in 95-105°F (35-40°C) warm water for 12 hours; for...
$5.00 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Bestseller No. 1
Sow Right Seeds - Microgreens Seed Sample Pack - 10 Packets of Healthy Superfoods to Sprout and Grow...
Sow Right Seeds - Microgreens Seed Sample Pack - 10 Packets of Healthy Superfoods to Sprout and Grow...
  • Tasty - 10 premium packs of seeds to grow arugula, broccoli, cabbage, cress, kale, radish, pea,...
$19.94 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 2
Survival Garden Seeds Microgreens 10 Pack (Seeds Only) - Instructions to Plant and Grow a Mix of...
Survival Garden Seeds Microgreens 10 Pack (Seeds Only) - Instructions to Plant and Grow a Mix of...
  • 10 Microgreen Varieties - 10 packs of herb, vegetable, and greens to grow indoors: Arugula, Waltham...
$22.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 3
Superfood Microgreen Seeds Mix | for Microgreens Growing Trays | 1 LB | Heirloom Non GMO Purple...
Superfood Microgreen Seeds Mix | for Microgreens Growing Trays | 1 LB | Heirloom Non GMO Purple...
  • A COLORFUL & DELICIOUS microgreen salad mix containing heirloom non-GMO microgreen seeds. 1 LB bulk...
$19.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

packaged into plastic containers or without.

Bestseller No. 1
Garden State Bulb Red Suffolk Seedless Grape, Bare Root, Non-GMO, Spring Planting (Bag of 2)
Garden State Bulb Red Suffolk Seedless Grape, Bare Root, Non-GMO, Spring Planting (Bag of 2)
  • Bare Root Size: 1yr
  • Hardiness Zone: 6 to 8
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 2
Votaniki Marquis Seedless Grape 1 Gallon Size Plant 2 Year Old - High Yielding, Perennial Grape Vine...
Votaniki Marquis Seedless Grape 1 Gallon Size Plant 2 Year Old - High Yielding, Perennial Grape Vine...
  • Easy to Grow: This grapevine is easy to grow and does not require a lot of maintenance. It prefers...
  • Productive: Marquis Seedless Grape is a productive grapevine that can produce up to 20-30 pounds of...
$44.98
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 3
3 Concord Grape Vines, in one Trade Gallon Pot (0.667 gallons of Dirt)
3 Concord Grape Vines, in one Trade Gallon Pot (0.667 gallons of Dirt)
  • Concord Grape Vines are classic, vigorous, and deciduous vines known for their delicious, deep...
  • These vines are hardy and adaptable, making them an excellent choice for home gardens and vineyard...
$49.95
Buy on Amazon

🌱 Greenhouse Gardening Tips

  1. Climate. Adapt plant choices to your local climate. For colder zones, focus on cool-season crops like leafy greens. In warmer zones, opt for tomatoes, peppers, and tropical fruits.
  2. Greenhouse Types Choose the right greenhouse type for your needs. Glass greenhouses provide excellent light but are more expensive. Polycarbonate greenhouses are affordable and durable but may require supplemental lighting.
  3. Sterilize your soil. Sterilize soil between growing seasons to reduce pest and disease risks.
  4. Ventilation and watering. Ensure proper ventilation to manage humidity and prevent diseases.Use drip irrigation systems for consistent watering.

With some planning and effort, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, delicious vegetables all year round.

Ready to start your greenhouse gardening journey? Share your favorite greenhouse crops or tips in the comments below. Don’t forget to explore our other guides on greenhouse maintenance and year-round gardening.

Bestseller No. 1
Set of 43 Assorted Vegetable & Herb Seed Packets - Over 10,000 Seeds! - Includes Mylar Storage Bag -...
Set of 43 Assorted Vegetable & Herb Seed Packets - Over 10,000 Seeds! - Includes Mylar Storage Bag -...
  • Set includes 43 lightly assorted Vegetable and Herb seeds!
$19.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No. 2
Gardeners Basics Survival Vegetable Seeds Garden Kit Over 16,000 Seeds Non-GMO and Heirloom, Great...
Gardeners Basics Survival Vegetable Seeds Garden Kit Over 16,000 Seeds Non-GMO and Heirloom, Great...
  • ASSORTMENT - 35 easy to grow vegetable varieties and over 16,000 seeds. All non-GMO and heirloom...
$29.95 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Accessibility Statement

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates (coming soon!)

Read More

  • Gardening
  • Lawncare
  • Hydroponics
  • Pool, Hot Tub & Spa
  • Backyard Living
  • Flowers A-Z
  • Plants
  • Native Plants by State

Copyright © 2016-2025 Rex Garden has been your source for home, yard, and garden ideas since 2016!