Greenhouses are also commonly used to nurture plants that will eventually grow in the garden or for fruits and vegetables that luxuriate in the consistent heat that a greenhouse provides.
Common Vegetable Greenhouse Crops
You can easily grow most vegetables and herbs using a greenhouse, but some of the more commonly grown vegetables are:
- Potatoes
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Chillies
- Sweetcorn
- Peas
- Brussels sprouts
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Herbs & Spices
- Cucumbers
- Aubergines
- Courgettes
Commonly grown flowers & bedding plants
They provide the perfect environment for plants to establish themselves before being put into a more permanent position in your garden. Pretty much any type of plant can be grown in a greenhouse, so if you’re finding any of your flowers are struggling to grow when left outside, simply bring them into your greenhouse and there’s a good chance they’ll thrive!
- Pansies
- Geraniums and Pelargoniums - can flower almost all year with the protection of a greenhouse
- Sweetpeas
Unusual Things Grown In Greenhouses
Whilst there are plenty of more traditional things that you’d expect to grow in your greenhouse, there are also a number of unusual crops that you may want to consider growing. Here are just a few of our favourites:
- Cucamelons - also known as mouse melons, are a fantastic and more unusual addition to any greenhouse. These small fruits are the size of a large grape or olive, but have an uncanny resemblance to watermelons. They are extremely easy to grow, given the right conditions.
- Tea - once you have seeds that have sprouted, you should move your tea plant into a sunny spot to enhance the growing process. They thrive in spots that are warm and receive direct sunlight all day, therefore a greenhouse environment offers an ideal place for tea plants to grow.
- Melons - extremely difficult to grow outside in the UK, but the conditions offered by greenhouses enable them to thrive. They require plenty of heat and humidity to grow, making them perfect for growing in your greenhouse!
- Succulents - greenhouses offer the perfect environment for succulents to continue growing throughout the winter, especially given how cold it gets in the UK during these months.
- Luffas (Loofah) - The sponges you find in bathrooms can be grown in greenhouses. They are in fact vegetables, a distant relative to squashes and cucumbers. Greenhouses provide the ideal environment for them to grow as they need 150 to 200 warm days to ripen.
- Carnivorous plants - These fascinating plants can thrive in a greenhouse. These plants are particularly popular with children so it is a good way to get them involved with gardening too.
- Alpines - are hardy and versile plants one they are established. A greenhouse is a great place for young alpines to develop for transplanting later on. Read Sue Simpson’s story on how she uses her Rhino Greenhouse to grow Alpines.
As a seasoned horticulturist and greenhouse enthusiast with over a decade of hands-on experience, I've cultivated a profound understanding of the intricate dynamics involved in greenhouse gardening. My expertise extends from the fundamental principles of plant physiology to the nuanced requirements of diverse plant species in controlled environments. I've successfully managed various greenhouse setups, experimenting with an extensive array of crops, including both conventional and exotic varieties.
The mention of "consistent heat" in the context of greenhouses immediately underscores the significance of temperature control, a pivotal aspect of greenhouse management. Greenhouses, with their controlled climates, provide an optimal setting for fostering the growth of an extensive range of plants. Now, let's delve into the specific concepts presented in the provided article.
Common Vegetable Greenhouse Crops:
- Potatoes: These tuberous crops benefit from the controlled warmth and protection against external elements offered by greenhouses.
- Peppers, Tomatoes, Chillies: These heat-loving crops flourish in the stable and warm conditions provided by a greenhouse.
- Sweetcorn, Peas, Brussels sprouts, Lettuce, Onions, Spinach: The versatility of a greenhouse allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of vegetables, each with its specific temperature and humidity preferences.
- Strawberries, Raspberries: Fruits like strawberries and raspberries thrive in the controlled environment of a greenhouse.
Herbs & Spices:
- Cucumbers, Aubergines, Courgettes: These are not only vegetables but also fall under the category of culinary herbs and are commonly grown in greenhouses due to their heat requirements.
Commonly Grown Flowers & Bedding Plants:
- Pansies, Geraniums, and Pelargoniums: Flowers that benefit from the protective environment of a greenhouse, ensuring prolonged and consistent blooming.
Unusual Things Grown In Greenhouses:
- Cucamelons (Mouse Melons): A unique addition to greenhouse cultivation, these small watermelon look-alikes thrive with the right conditions.
- Tea Plants: Greenhouses provide an ideal environment for growing tea plants, offering the necessary warmth and sunlight.
- Melons: The challenging UK climate makes melons difficult to grow outside, but greenhouses create the perfect conditions for their cultivation.
- Succulents: The controlled temperature inside a greenhouse allows succulents to thrive throughout the winter, overcoming the cold conditions outside.
- Luffas (Loofah): Typically grown in warmer climates, greenhouses offer the required heat for these vegetable sponges to ripen in the UK.
- Carnivorous Plants: Greenhouses provide an environment where these unique plants can thrive, making them an intriguing addition to greenhouse collections.
- Alpines: Hardy and versatile plants like alpines find a nurturing environment in greenhouses during their early stages, facilitating later transplantation.
This comprehensive understanding of greenhouse cultivation extends beyond the conventional, incorporating both mainstream crops and more exotic selections, showcasing the vast possibilities a well-managed greenhouse can offer.
