29 Greenhouse Plants that are Easy to Grow

Owning a greenhouse can be quite overwhelming, especially for beginners. After taking into consideration the things you need in order to have a greenhouse that yields a wide variety of high-quality crops, the next thing to consider is what plants you need to grow.

Starting with easy to grow plants will help you stay inspired and determined to grow your crops before you jump into more challenging ones.

For this post, we will share with you our list of 29 greenhouse plants that are easy to grow. This list is a mixture of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and ornamentals that you can easily grow in your greenhouse.

1. Asparagus

A vegetable that yields plenty of crops, it is highly suggested for asparagus to be planted from a one or two-year old crown.

This plant does not like competition. So, it is essential to pull out weeds and grasses that will grow around its area. Also, other crops should not be planted in their surroundings.

2. Bamboo

Bamboo is an easy-to-grow plant that can be used for various purposes. It can be harvested after 3 to 5 years, and it also produces more oxygen than a tree.

Aside from making a greenhouse look better, bamboo can be used in construction, in making furniture, instruments, cloths, fabrics, and more. 

3. Basil

Basil thrives in warm weather, and prefers dry conditions. Therefore, it needs to be exposed to direct sunlight for 6 to 8 hours for it to grow well.

Not only is this herb delicious, but it is also packed with nutrients that are essential for a human’s health. Some nutrients include vitamins A and K, manganese, magnesium, copper, and calcium. It is also used to relieve pain and for anti-inflammatory purposes.

4. Broccoli

Broccoli is a healthy vegetable that can be added to pasta, soups, and other dishes. It can also be eaten fresh, or sautéed.

For broccolis to grow well in a greenhouse, they should receive direct sunlight 6 to 8 hours a day. This plant thrives in a well-drained soil that is moist and fertile.

5. Brussels Sprouts

Brussel sprouts thrive in cooler weather, making it an excellent crop to harvest during winter where most crops are not available.

It is a bite-sized cabbage that can be grilled, barbecued, or sautéed. 

6. Caladiums

Also referred to as ‘Elephant Ear,’ Caladiums are a good choice for people who want to add some color to their greenhouse.

It is an ornamental plant that makes flower arrangements stand out.

7. Carrots

Carrots are healthy root vegetables that are rich in vitamins A, C, K, potassium, fiber, calcium, and iron. It can be eaten raw, but it can also be added to various dishes and salad bowls.

Carrots thrive in cool temperatures, including in early spring and late fall.

8. Catnip

Catnip is a perennial herb that attracts helpful insects and of course, cats. This plant thrives in an area with full sunlight, enough space, and a well-drained soil.

Catnip also acts as a natural insect and bug repellent, so it can be rubbed to your skin to protect you from insects.

They’re also loved by cats, so if you have one at home, both of you will benefit from this herb.

9. Cherries

Cherries are easy to grow fruits, but it will take time to yield proper crops – about three years.

Therefore, it is not advisable to harvest them too soon as it will affect their quality. Patience is required when planting this fruit.

10. Chrysanthemums

There are over a hundred chrysanthemums types, so it is important to decide which varieties you want to have in your greenhouse before planting.

Depending on the greenhouse’s temperature, this alluring flowering plant needs to be watered once or several times a day to keep its soil moist.

11. Coriander

Coriander is a popular herb in South American, Asian, and Arabic cuisines.

This plant grows well in dry climates. Therefore, there’s no need to maintain the moisture of the soil once the coriander starts to germinate.

12. Eggplants

Eggplants thrive in warm weather. This plant grows better in a raised bed with composted manure.

It is important that eggplants are staked once they’re about 24 inches tall to prevent them from falling over once their fruits start to grow.

13. Figs

Growing figs does not only mean producing tasty fruits, but their broad leaves also provide an excellent summer shade.

Figs love full sunlight. They are drought-tolerant, which means that they do well even in poor ventilation environments.

14. Gazanias

Gazanias are an ornamental plant with daisy-like flowers.

They come in pretty colors, too. Therefore, if you want to make your greenhouse livelier and more colorful, planting this easy-to-grow flower is a good choice.

15. Geraniums

Geraniums not only beautify a greenhouse, but they are also capable of reducing a person’s stress levels.

This flowering plant is very easy to maintain, making them an excellent choice for novice gardeners.

16. Ginseng

Ginseng is known for its medicinal properties, and is mostly added in soup dishes and teas. It can also be utilized as a cash crop, which helps greenhouse owners earn an extra income.

17. Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges are very easy to grow. It can fill up your basket with fresh, high quality fruits all year-round.

These fruits thrive in high humidity, therefore should be placed in a sunny spot. After successful production, you will realize that greenhouse-produced citrus fruits are incomparable to the ones bought at supermarkets.

18. Lettuce

One of the most popular leafy greens, lettuce makes great additions to fresh salads. This vegetable also comes in a wide selection of textures and colors. Lettuce thrives in cooler weather under moist weather conditions.

19. Melons

Growing melons in a greenhouse can be beneficial for these fruits as the greenhouse protects them from strong winds and rains.

There are four types of melons that are best-suited to grow in a greenhouse, namely Ogen, Charentais, Blenheim Orange, and Sweetheart.

20. Mint

The mint’s invasive behavior makes it an easy to grow plant. This herb sends out lateral root runners below the soil, so they may also appear in other locations where you didn’t initially plant them. 

Mint can be added into tea, or they can be used as an additional flavoring to cocktails, such as mojitos.

21. Parsley

An aromatic herb, parsley is popular among gardeners and chefs. It is commonly used in Mediterranean and East European dishes.

Parsley is packed with vitamins A, C, and iron. It also acts as a natural remedy to prevent urinary tract infections.

Parsley can be planted in a container, in a raised bed, in a hanging pot, or in the ground. Having well-composted manure will help them grow better. They love sunlight, so ensure that they are located in an area with direct access to sunlight.

22. Peas

A delicious and healthy legume, peas are a frost-hardy vegetable that thrives in cooler weather.

They can be added into salads, or combined with other healthy greens.

23. Peppers

There are many varieties of peppers, but Chilies, Sweet Bells, and Jalapenos are popular choices in the greenhouse since these varieties do not take up large space.

They prefer hotter climates, making them an ideal plant for greenhouse growing.

24. Petunias

Petunias make your greenhouse livelier with their beautiful pastel-colored flowers.

This plant thrives in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. In addition, they’re also easy to cultivate.

25. Rosemary

A popular herb, rosemary is added in various dishes and cocktails because of their fragrant and flavorful leaves. They’re also ornamental, and make excellent decorative plants for your home.

It is ideal to grow rosemary in a terracotta pot as they enjoy light and humidity. They also grow well in well-drained soil.

26. Spinach

A good choice for beginners, spinach is an easy to grow superfood vegetable that does not need constant high temperatures.

This plant is packed with vitamins A, B, and C. They also have higher amounts of iron and calcium compared to other greens.

Spinach is a cool-season plant, which means that they don’t need heating, unless they are planted in extreme weather conditions. Spinach does well in a well-drained soil with aged manure.

27. Squash

Squash comes in many varieties that are suitable for greenhouse growing.

Pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow crookneck, yellow straight neck, and scallop squash are only some of the varieties that can be grown in a greenhouse.

28. Sweetcorn

Sweetcorn tastes best when harvested fresh, so having some in your garden can ensure that you have access to a sweet, juicy, and delicious vegetable.

For smaller greenhouses, a miniature variety of this crop is available. They can also be planted outside, provided that they’re in the right area and proper conditions.

29. Zucchini

Zucchini is one the simplest vegetables to grow, making them an ideal plant to grow for novice gardeners.

Keep in mind that zucchinis love to spread out, which means that they will take plenty of space in your greenhouse. If you have limited space, they can be planted in large containers, or in growing bags.

Conclusion

While all the plants on this list are easy to grow, it is still important to take into consideration the soil, temperature, and space they require to thrive.

Grow what is important to you and you will always be happy and proud of the fruits of your labor.

Resources:

• https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/blog/best-greenhouse-plants-to-grow/
• https://www.swgreenhouses.co.uk/blog/best-vegetables-to-grow-in-a-greenhouse.html
• https://morningchores.com/greenhouse-plants/3/
• https://greenhouseemporium.com/blogs/greenhouse-gardening/easy-to-grow-greenhouse-plant/
• https://www.econation.co.nz/bamboo/
• https://www.agrifarming.in/growing-broccoli-in-greenhouse-planting-farming
• https://greenhouseemporium.com/blogs/greenhouse-gardening/greenhouse-gardening-how-to-grow-brussels-sprouts/