Greenhouse gardening is becoming increasingly popular among gardening enthusiasts and hobbyists, offering a controlled environment for growing a variety of plants year-round. This article provides a detailed guide to selecting the ideal plants to grow in your greenhouse, taking into account various factors and suggestions for popular plants.
Factors to consider when choosing plants for a greenhouse
When choosing plants for a greenhouse, several factors must be taken into account to ensure their successful growth and development. These factors include:
Climate and Temperature Requirements
Different plants have specific temperature preferences. Selecting plants with similar requirements will help maintain a stable environment in your greenhouse. In general, greenhouses can be classified into three temperature categories: cool (40-55°F), moderate (55-65°F) and warm (65-80°F).
Light Requirements
Some plants need full sun, while others prefer partial to full shade. Make sure you meet the light needs of the plants by positioning them accordingly inside the greenhouse.
Space Requirements
Understand the size of mature plants and provide adequate space to prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth.
Humidity Preferences
Plants have different humidity requirements. Place plants with similar needs together to make it easier to control the environment.
Pest Resistance
Select plants known to be resistant to pests and diseases to reduce maintenance efforts and protect other plants in your greenhouse.
Care and Maintenance
Consider the care requirements of each plant, including watering, pruning and fertilizing, and choose ones that you can comfortably manage.
| Temperature zone | Plants |
|---|---|
| Cool greenhouse (40-55°F) | Fern, primrose, cyclamen |
| Moderate greenhouse (55-65°F) | Tomatoes, cucumbers, begonias, geraniums |
| Warm greenhouse (65-80°F) | Orchids, anthuriums, carnivorous plants, succulents |
| Special direction | Plants |
|---|---|
| Carnivorous plants | Fly catchers, water lilies, sunflowers |
| Succulents and cacti | Echeveria, aloe, prickly pear |
| Exotic tropical plants | Bromelias, anthuriums, heliconias |
| Rare and endangered species | Venus flytrap, amorphophallus, sequoia |
Popular plants for the greenhouse
Vegetables
- Tomatoes: They thrive in a warm greenhouse with a constant temperature of 65 to 75°F.
- Peppers: Both sweet and hot varieties grow well in a warm greenhouse with temperatures ranging from 65 to 80°F.
- Cucumbers: These vegetables prefer a warm and humid environment with a temperature of 70 to 80°F.
- Lettuce: A cool greenhouse with a temperature of 40 to 55°F is ideal for growing lettuce.
- Spinach: Like lettuce, spinach thrives in a cool greenhouse with temperatures ranging from 40 to 55°F.
Fruits
- Strawberries: A moderate greenhouse temperature of 55 to 65°F is suitable for these fruit-bearing plants.
- Grapes: Grapevines thrive in moderate greenhouses with temperatures around 55-65°F.
- Melons: These fruits require a warm greenhouse with temperatures ranging from 65 to 80°F for optimal growth.
- Citrus Trees: Lime, lemon and orange trees thrive in warm greenhouses with temperatures ranging from 65 to 80°F.
Herbs
- Basil: This herb prefers the warm environment of a greenhouse with temperatures ranging from 65 to 75°F.
- Mint: A moderate greenhouse temperature of 55 to 65°F is ideal for mint.
- Rosemary: This aromatic herb thrives in a moderate greenhouse with temperatures around 55-65°F.
- Thyme: Like rosemary, thyme prefers a moderate greenhouse temperature of 55 to 65°F.
Ornamental Plants
- Orchids: These exotic plants need a warm and humid greenhouse with a temperature of 65 to 80°F.
- Begonias: These colorful plants thrive in a moderate greenhouse with temperatures around 55-65°F.
- Fuchsias: A cool to moderate greenhouse temperature of 45 to 60°F is suitable for these flowering plants.
- Geraniums: These popular plants thrive in a moderate greenhouse with temperatures ranging from 55 to 65°F.
| Category | Plants |
|---|---|
| Vegetables | Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, radishes, carrots |
| Fruits | Strawberries, grapes, melons, citrus trees |
| Herbs | Basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, parsley, dill, sage |
| Flowers and ornamental plants | Orchids, begonias, fuchsias, geraniums, petunias, nasturtiums |
| Medicinal plants | Echinacea, chamomile, calendula, lemon balm, aloe vera |
Selecting plants for the greenhouse in special areas
- Carnivorous Plants: Flycatchers, water lilies and sunflowers thrive in warm, humid greenhouses with temperatures ranging from 65 to 80°F.
- Succulents and Cacti: These low-maintenance plants prefer a warm, dry environment with temperatures ranging from 65 to 80°F.
- Exotic Tropical Plants: Plants such as bromeliads, anthuriums and heliconias thrive in a warm, humid greenhouse with temperatures around 65-80°F.
- Rare and Endangered Species: Greenhouses offer a controlled environment for growing endangered plant species and promoting their conservation.
Selecting plants for a greenhouse for specific purposes
- Air purifying plants: Spiderwort, sansevieria and fern are hardy plants and thrive in moderate greenhouses with temperatures between 55 and 65°F.
- Plants to Attract Pollinators: Lavender, salvia and monarda attract pollinators and thrive in temperate greenhouses with temperatures ranging from 55 to 65°F.
- Edible Plants for Culinary Use: A variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables can be grown in a greenhouse for fresh, home-grown produce year-round.
- Medicinal Plants: Echinacea, chamomile and calendula are a few medicinal plants that can be grown in a moderate greenhouse with temperatures ranging from 55 to 65°F.
Tips for successfully growing plants in a greenhouse
- Proper preparation of the greenhouse environment
Make sure the temperature, humidity and lighting conditions are optimized for your selected plants before introducing them into the greenhouse. - Selecting Quality Seeds and Seedlings
Invest in seeds and young plants from trusted sources to ensure healthy growth and high yields. - Implementing Proper Watering and Fertilizing Schedules
Tailor your watering and fertilizing schedule to the specific needs of your plants, taking into account factors such as humidity and temperature. - Pest and Disease Monitoring and Control
Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests and diseases and take immediate action to correct any problems. - Pruning and Shaping Plants for Optimal Growth
Regularly trim and shape your plants to encourage healthy growth and prevent overcrowding. - Rotating Plants to Maintain Soil Health
Regularly rotating the plants in your greenhouse will help prevent soil depletion and reduce the risk of disease.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right plants for your greenhouse is critical to creating a thriving garden. By taking into account factors such as temperature, light and space requirements, you can create a varied and productive greenhouse environment. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of plants and discover the joys of greenhouse gardening.
