Maximize your space, extend your seasons, and grow smarter.
So you’ve got a greenhouse—or you’re dreaming about one. Maybe it’s a small backyard hoop house, a glass-paneled beauty with vintage charm, or just a simple poly tunnel rigged up with zip ties and hope. No matter the setup, the question always comes: What should I grow in here?
A greenhouse opens up a whole new layer of possibility for gardeners. It lets you cheat the seasons, protect fragile plants, and baby your seedlings in style. But not every crop needs a greenhouse—and not every plant loves the extra heat and humidity. So let’s walk through what thrives inside those cozy walls, season by season.
The Greenhouse Advantage
Greenhouses are microclimate goldmines. They trap solar heat, shield from wind and frost, and help control pests, moisture, and humidity. With a little planning, you can grow earlier in spring, later into fall, and sometimes even straight through winter—especially if you add passive or active heating.
But the trick is choosing crops that make the most of that protection.
Best Things to Grow in a Greenhouse
1. Cool-Season Greens (Spring + Fall Superstar)
- Lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale, Swiss chard
- Asian greens like bok choy and tatsoi
- Microgreens and baby salad mixes
These are perfect for unheated greenhouses in shoulder seasons. They don’t mind the chill, and the greenhouse keeps the worst frosts at bay.
2. Heat-Loving Veggies (Prime for Summer)
- Tomatoes
- Peppers (hot and sweet)
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Okra
- Melons (especially cantaloupe or small varieties)
These thrive in the heat and protection a greenhouse offers—especially in cooler climates where summers are short. Give them good airflow and trellising, and they’ll reward you with a bumper crop.
3. Herbs
- Basil (loves the warmth)
- Cilantro (cooler temps preferred)
- Parsley, thyme, dill, oregano, chives
- Lemongrass or bay laurel (great in pots)
Herbs do beautifully in greenhouses year-round, depending on temperature. Just be sure to give them enough light, and trim regularly to keep them bushy.
4. Seedlings and Starts
You can’t beat a greenhouse for seed starting. The controlled environment gets your tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, and flowers off to a strong start before they head into the garden.
Pro tip: Start warm-season crops inside while snow is still on the ground. It feels rebellious and deeply satisfying.
5. Tropical or Tender Plants
- Lemons, limes, and other citrus
- Fig trees
- Ginger and turmeric
- Aloe vera
- Avocado (dwarf varieties)
- Orchids and specialty flowers
If you’re in a colder zone but love tropical plants, a greenhouse gives you a shot at growing these beauties. Just keep an eye on temps at night, and supplement heat if needed.
6. Year-Round Produce (with a Heated Greenhouse)
- Carrots, radishes, beets
- Green onions
- Winter greens like mache, claytonia, or miner’s lettuce
With good planning and maybe a little thermal mass (think water barrels or compost piles), you can grow year-round food even in northern climates.
Crops to Skip (or Grow Outdoors Instead)
Some plants just don’t need the greenhouse treatment:
- Zucchini and squash: They grow fast and huge outside. Inside, they’re space hogs.
- Corn: Needs lots of space, wind pollination, and isn’t worth the greenhouse real estate.
- Potatoes: Better off in deep containers or garden beds.
- Beans and peas: These thrive outdoors unless you’re aiming for very early or late crops.
Greenhouse Tips by Season
Spring: Start all your seeds, plant cool-weather greens, get tomatoes and peppers going
Summer: Grow heat-lovers, ventilate daily, use shade cloth if needed
Fall: Transition to greens again, start root crops for winter
Winter: Focus on hardy greens, cold frames within the greenhouse, and passive heating strategies
Final Thoughts
The beauty of a greenhouse isn’t just in what it grows…it’s in the rhythm it allows. You’re not just chasing the sun anymore, you’re crafting a steady beat through the seasons. With the right crops and a little planning, your greenhouse can be a cosy corner of abundance long after the rest of the garden beds go quiet.
Grow what makes sense for your climate, your taste, and your space. And don’t be afraid to experiment…half the fun of a greenhouse is discovering what thrives under your care.
