Here Are The 35 Best Things To Grow In Your Greenhouse (2024)

Square Footage

Firstly, how much square footage will you be working with? Will you be utilizing a combination of beds and containers? Do you have the height or proximity necessary to grow taller plants or trees? The answers to these questions is a great place to start. Having a small space doesn’t mean you can’t still have a productive garden, but it might require you to be clever about what and how you plant things.

Internal Temperature

If your space is conditioned you’ll be able to mitigate things like extreme temperatures. A standard backyard greenhouse, however, will still experience seasonal shifts in temperature so it’s important to be aware of those hot and cold extremes when making your selections.

Time Management

Lastly, what do you want to grow and how much work are you wanting to put in? After all, there’s no use in filling your greenhouse and your time growing beautiful hot house orchids or tasty eggplants if you find orchids dull and eggplants disgusting. You don’t have to have it all figured out before you start, but it’s good to get a sense of your limits before you start buying seed packets.

Now that you have a few key data points handy we can move to the fun part, deciding which types of plants you’d like to grow. Read on for a categorized list of our favorite greenhouse grows!

Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Zucchini and Lettuce

When in doubt, start with your salad vegetables. These easy-to-grow plants have high yields and are particularly well-suited to a spring and summer grow season. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are greenhouse darlings and will thrive in the warmth. Cucumbers, squash and zucchini will also work well and growing them up a trellis or wall is a great way to save a bit of space. Other simple staples like pole beans and snap peas also work in this configuration, but be sure to leave space to harvest them.

Of course a salad isn’t complete without greens and luckily they are easy to grow. Cut and come again lettuces are a great choice for greens that will continue to pop up all season long. Microgreens are also great if you are limited on space as they only require shallow containers.

Onions, Carrots, Kale, Cabbage and Broccoli

If you’re hoping to use your greenhouse to add legs to your growing season, then it’s worth taking a look at cold-hardy plants that will keep you eating fresh all year. Think leafy and bitter greens and root vegetables.

While these plants aren’t necessarily trickier to grow than others, they typically need cooler temps so you’ll need to be mindful of your fall and winter greenhouse temperatures. Carrots, turnips and onions thrive in container gardens and are cold weather staples. Turnips are particularly beloved for their double yield as you can harvest the greens while the turnip itself grows.

Speaking of greens, kale, spinach and cabbage are all cold-hardy plants that will keep you eating your veggies even in the coldest months. If you’re feeling patient, broccoli, artichoke and asparagus are also delicious single-yield crops. Asparagus and artichokes are in fact perennials so while they only have a single yield per season they’ll come back year after year without any replanting necessary.

Strawberries, Grapes, Peaches, Figs and Lemons

If you’re not much of a salad-eater, not to worry, growing exotic and out-of-season fruits in greenhouses is a time-honored tradition. To start with the basics, strawberries are particularly easy to grow and work well for small spaces. Other fruit salad favorites like melons and pineapple will also enjoy the humidity, although they’ll also take up quite a bit of space.

If your greenhouse can accommodate them, consider growing a few dwarf fruit trees like figs, apricots, peaches, lemons and even some varieties of oranges and apples. Planting them in containers is a great option as you can always bring them out of the greenhouse during the warmer months to give yourself a bit more real estate in the peak planting time.

Lastly, grape vines will also work well when cultivated in a greenhouse, but be aware that they will take an exorbitant amount of space and a decent amount of tending. If you can manage, however, it makes for a both a visually stunning and delicious greenhouse interior.

Basil, Cilantro, Oregano, Ginger Root and Mint

Herbs are always a welcome addition to a garden. While many herbs are fine to live outside a greenhouse, there are a few staples that will enjoy the frost-free environment. Basil varietals, sage, rosemary, thyme, cilantro, parsely and oregano will enjoy having a haven from the cold. Be mindful when planting, however, as some herbs like the ever-popular mint are can be a bit invasive and are best when kept to their own container.

Many of the warming herbs and spices used in traditional medicine are also well-suited to greenhouses due to their origins in warmer climates. Lemon grass, ginger root, turmeric root, ginseng and cardamom will all enjoy the extra bit of humidity.

Orchids, Roses, African Violets, Geraniums and Poinsettias

Greenhouses aren’t just great for growing vegetables. If you find that you are less inclined to the farming lifestyle or simply wish to elevate your greenhouse into a more luxurious Victorian-style hothouse then growing ornamental plants is a great place to start.

Ornamentals are typically considered any plant grown simply for the beauty of its appearance. In traditional greenhouses these would be orchids, roses, African violets and other plants that require specific and consistent temperature and humidity. If you prefer slightly lower maintenance options look for geraniums, impatiens, chrysanthemums, poinsettias, bouganvilleas and camellias.

Caladiums, Maidenhair Ferns, Air Plants, Staghorn Ferns and Begonias

If you like the idea of ornamental plants, but aren’t too fond of flowers there are also a variety of interesting leafy plants to consider. Caladiums (also called Elephant Ear), zebra plants and many varieties of begonias work well. Ferns also make for lovely additions, from the delicate maidenhair ferns to more robust tree ferns, and can add a tropical touch. Air plants and staghorn ferns also grow well in hanging planters to give you lush vistas at every level.

While it may be tempting to throw other standard houseplants into a greenhouse as well, it’s important to note that not every plant will enjoy the extra doses of heat and humidity. The ever-popular ficus and it’s many varieties, for example, would prefer a more tempered indoor environment over the steamy confines of a greenhouse. Other plants, like the popular fiddle-leaf fig, will enjoy the humidity but only if also comes with a healthy dose of full sun.

Prickly Pear, Mother of Thousands, Aloe, Pitcher Plants and Venus Fly Traps

Cacti and succulents are excellent for those with a humidity controlled greenhouse (desert plants tend to prefer things on the drier side, after all). For the prickly cactus fans, try starting out with lower maintenance options like the rat-tail cactus (a perfect candidate for a hanging pot or vertical garden), the classic pin-cushion cactus or the prickly pear.

Succulents are even better suited to greenhouses than cacti and are also incredibly easy to grow. String of pearls and burros tail succulents can be added to the list of hanging pot favorites. Agave and aloe plants will also enjoy the high-heat environment and can serve as ornamental and practical additions. A few funky favorites would be the ric rac cactus and, a personal favorite, the mother of thousands.