Greenhouses provide an ideal setting for cultivating a variety of plants, offering controlled conditions that support growth throughout the year. One of the biggest advantages is their ability to protect crops from adverse weather while extending the growing season. Across the US, from hot Texas summers to snowy New England winters, greenhouses give growers the ability to work beyond the limits of local weather. When choosing what to grow, it’s important to consider factors such as space, experience level, and climate. Common greenhouse plants include vegetables, herbs, and flowers that thrive in stable temperatures and humidity-controlled environments.

Common Greenhouse Crops Grown in The US

Thanks to this controlled environment, the choice of common greenhouse plants is extensive, allowing growers to cultivate a wide range of crops suited to their needs.

Hobbyist Gardeners:

For hobbyist gardeners, common greenhouse plants include tomatoes, herbs, peppers, lettuce, cucumbers, and strawberries due to their versatility and ease of care. According to the National Gardening Association’s surveys, these plants are consistently at the top of the list for home gardeners across the country. Tomatoes and peppers perform especially well in warmer states, while lettuces and leafy greens thrive in cooler regions, showing how greenhouse growing adapts across the country.

Floriculturists:

Floriculturists primarily grow flowering potted plants, bedding plants, cut flowers, and foliage plants because the focus is on ornamental and decorative crops. These plants are popular for their vibrant colors and aesthetic appeal. Their relatively short growth cycles make them rewarding to cultivate, and many varieties thrive in controlled greenhouse environments.

Sustainable Gardeners:

Sustainable gardeners often focus on common greenhouse plants that support biodiversity and require minimal resources, such as perennials, native plants, cover crops and soil-building crops. Perennials and native plants attract pollinators, promote biodiversity, and require fewer resources like water and fertilizers, making them well-suited for sustainable gardening. In the US, native choices such as milkweed or echinacea are popular for their ability to attract pollinators like monarch butterflies and bees while reducing water use.

Exotic Plant Cultivators:

Cultivators tend to grow exotic flowering plants, carnivorous plants, succulents, desert plants, and exotic fruits because they are drawn to unique, rare, and often visually striking species. These plants thrive in specialized greenhouse conditions that mimic their native habitats, allowing cultivators to experiment with diverse growing techniques. Succulents and desert plants are prized for their resilience and low water needs and exotic fruits offer the challenge of growing tropical species in controlled environments.

The most common crops depends on where you would categorize yourself, but in general, the most common plants to grow in the US are tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers.

Best Plants for Greenhouse Cultivation for Beginners vs Experienced Growers

Beginners:

For beginners, starting with common greenhouse plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and herbs is ideal due to their straightforward care requirements. Cucumbers provide steady harvests with minimal effort. Lettuce and other leafy greens are ideal for smaller greenhouses due to their fast growth and low space requirements. Cold frames are a great for a greenhouse as they enhance the effectiveness of your growing environment. In northern states, late spring frosts can delay planting and early fall frosts can bring the season to an early close. Using a greenhouse heater helps extend growing time and protect plants from sudden temperature drops.

Experienced Growers:

Growers often cultivate specialty edible crops and exotic fruits that require precise environmental control and advanced techniques. Heirloom tomatoes, for example, require careful pollination to maintain their unique traits, while ghost peppers and Carolina reapers require strict temperature and light management with LED grow lights to thrive. Exotic fruits like pineapples add another layer of challenge, as they need a simulated tropical climate to grow successfully. Greenhouse accessories can be used to alleviate the difficulty.

What is The Most Popular Plant in The US?

While trends continue to evolve, many growers still rely on common greenhouse plants like tomatoes, strawberries, and microgreens due to their high demand and ease of cultivation. They are especially popular as any pest or weather-related challenges can be avoided.

What is the Most Grown Plant in the United States?

The most grown and most popular plant to grow in the United States overall is the tomato; It thrives in warm temperatures with plenty of sunlight and well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Greenhouse cultivation allows for year-round production, better pest and disease control, higher yields, and consistent fruit quality.

Greenhouse Plant Popularity: Trends and Growth

Microgreens:

Microgreens are valued for their rapid growth cycle and nutrient density, and are already growing in popularity. Their short turnaround makes them especially appealing for growers who want quick, continuous harvests, and they’re increasingly found in kitchens for their fresh flavor and vibrant appearance.

Mushrooms:

They are increasingly popular in culinary circles and are well-suited for smaller greenhouses. Mushrooms are expected to see further growth due to their health benefits and ability to thrive in limited space. They offer variety, from button and oyster mushrooms to more unique gourmet types, giving growers plenty of options.

Ultimately, the best plants to grow in a greenhouse depend on your skill level, available space, and personal interests. Whether you prefer easy-to-manage leafy greens, vibrant ornamental flowers, or the challenge of cultivating exotic fruits, there’s a perfect crop for every grower.