The Best Plants to Grow in a Greenhouse

When starting your home-gardening journey with one of Trailside Structures’ greenhouses, you may wonder what plants you can grow in it. Some plants are recommended to be grown in a greenhouse, while others are not. Generally, you’ll want to plant produce that will grow well in a controlled environment. Our greenhouses are the perfect place to start your new gardens and nurture your plants. Below, we’ll explain the best plants to grow in a greenhouse so you can get started easily. 

Plants to Grow in a Greenhouse 

With a greenhouse, you’ll extend your gardening season into the winter months, as many warm- and cold-weather plants thrive in this environment. Just make sure that your greenhouse has good ventilation to keep plants from overheating and developing fungal diseases. Luckily, our greenhouses have two manual roof vents to provide airflow and regulate the inside temperature. Look for plants with long growing seasons and that require lots of heat to grow in your greenhouse. Here are some beginner-friendly plants to grow in your greenhouse. 

Tomatoes

Tomatoes thrive in the warm, stable temperatures that a greenhouse provides. These plants need steady warmth and full sun to grow, with a recommended heat of 70-75 degrees. However, high humidity can make these plants rot, so make sure there’s proper ventilation. We recommend sowing these seeds in March; then you can transplant them into large pots or grow bags in April. To support the growing plant, you may need to use a cane or string to keep it upright. 

Cucumbers

Cucumbers need humid, warm air to grow, and a greenhouse provides that heat and humidity balance that they need. For these plants, keep male and female varieties separate to prevent the fruit from tasting bitter. Start these seeds in small pots in mid-April, then when the leaves appear, space them out so they can properly grow. We find it best to grow these plants on vertical trellises, so you can save floor space and improve air circulation in the greenhouse. 

Peppers

Peppers thrive in high heat and bright light, which our A-Frame Greenhouses provide. These self-pollinating plants need moist soil to grow, but make sure there is proper drainage so the soil is not soggy. Soggy soil will prevent the roots from getting the oxygen they need to grow. Peppers have a long growing season that’s ideal for a backyard greenhouse. If you start your seeds in late winter, you’ll produce good crops from July to October. 

Lettuce and Spinach 

Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, kale, and chard grow rapidly in spring, autumn, and winter, as they are cold-tolerant plants. Lettuce needs low light and moist soil to grow; our greenhouses will protect it from direct sunlight. Spinach is the same; they like dim light and wet trays. We recommend placing these plants on a lower shelf away from the hottest parts of the greenhouse. Put these seeds in trays and space them out by a few inches so they can grow properly. You’ll be able to harvest these plants multiple times a year, especially if you keep up with cutting and sowing fresh batches. 

Strawberries

Strawberries need a decent amount of light and steady water to grow. They have a compact growth habit, making them great for optimizing space. These seeds can be put in hanging baskets to use up ceiling space. Our Garden Greenhouses provide more space for plants. Strawberries will draw in pollinators to help produce more fruit, while the greenhouse will protect them from pests looking to eat them. 

Herbs 

Growing herbs has become popular over the years, and a greenhouse will greatly expand your growing capabilities. The herbs you can grow include basil, mint, lemongrass, turmeric, ginger, and more. With a greenhouse, you can grow exotic and tropical herbs that normally wouldn’t grow in Pennsylvania. Herbs thrive in a warm, controlled environment. They’ll thrive more under glass, and our Atrium Greenhouses have lots of transom windows to provide ample sunlight for their growth. Cultivate these plants in separate pots to avoid spreading, and you can harvest them multiple times a year. 

Flowers

Flowers are also commonly grown in a greenhouse. We recommend having one or two flower varieties in your greenhouse to help attract pollinators. These pollinators will then yield more fruit production for your harvest. Just remember to plant your flowers at the right time to ensure blooms year-round. 

Plants to Avoid Growing in a Greenhouse 

While there are many plants you can grow in a greenhouse, there are some plants you should avoid growing. First, we don’t recommend adding invasive plants, as they can mess up the root system of your plants. Don’t include crops that are too large and block light from other plants, like a citrus tree. Corn is also a crop that is too big and spreads quickly, and also needs wind to pollinate. We recommend keeping smaller, more confined plants to grow in a greenhouse. 

Get a Custom Greenhouse with Trailside 

With Trailside Structures, you’ll receive a stunning, custom greenhouse that is perfect for starting your home garden. You’ll be able to easily nurture your plants in this optimal environment for year-round harvests. Our greenhouses are built to withstand harsh Pennsylvania weather while maintaining their visual appeal and function. Check out our greenhouse gallery to see what our team can do for you. If you’re ready to get started, contact us today.