What To Grow In A Texas Greenhouse: Top Plant Picks

A greenhouse in Texas opens up possibilities that are hard to match in an open garden. With the right plant choices and greenhouse management, you can overcome extremes of heat, cold snaps, wind, and fluctuating humidity. This article lays out practical, climate-smart plant recommendations for Texas greenhouses, plus cultural tips, seasonal schedules, and troubleshooting strategies that will help you get productive, healthy plants year round.

Why a greenhouse is valuable in Texas

A greenhouse moderates temperature swings, retains humidity, and provides a protected environment that extends the growing season. In Texas, that translates to several practical advantages:

More consistent early spring starts for warm-season crops.
Protection from occasional winter freezes in marginal zones.
Shade control and ventilation to fight summer heat spikes.
Fewer pest outbreaks from wind-borne invaders and wildlife.

Use the greenhouse to grow tender crops that otherwise struggle in hot summers or short winters. But success depends on choosing plants that match your greenhouse configuration (heated, ventilated, shaded, or cooling-assisted) and your local Texas climate zone.

Match plant choices to your greenhouse style

Greenhouses vary from simple hoop tunnels to fully heated glasshouses with automated vents. Choose plants that align with your ability to control temperature, humidity, and light.

Unheated, ventilated hoop houses

These are best for cool-season crops in fall, winter, and spring. They rely on solar gain and passive venting.

Best plants: lettuces, spinach, carrots, beets, cilantro, parsley, peas.

Shade- or evaporative-cooled structures

With shade cloth or evaporative cooling pads, you can keep temperatures manageable in hot Texas summers.

Best plants: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, basil, eggplant, some ornamentals.

Fully heated and insulated greenhouses

These permit year-round growing of warmth-loving and tropical species.

Best plants: bananas, citrus, orchids, gingers, avocados (dwarf varieties), and any tropical houseplants.

Top vegetable picks for a Texas greenhouse

Vegetables are the most rewarding greenhouse crops in Texas because you can increase yield and improve quality substantially.

Tomatoes (indeterminate varieties like “Celebrity”, “Brandywine” substitutes, or specific greenhouse cultivars): thrive with trellising, consistent watering, and daily ventilation in summer. Choose disease-resistant cultivars and monitor for blossom end rot by maintaining even calcium availability and soil moisture.
Peppers (bell and hot): prefer warm nights and consistent warmth. Shade cloth on the hottest afternoons prevents blossom drop. Use organic fertilizer with balanced NPK and potassium for better fruit set.
Cucumbers (parthenocarpic varieties for greenhouse): grow up trellises to save space and improve air flow. Avoid overwatering and maintain humidity below 80% to limit powdery mildew.
Leafy greens (lettuce, arugula, Swiss chard): fastest returns in cool seasons; use succession planting every 2-3 weeks. Hydroponic or shallow-raised bed setups work well.
Herbs (basil, cilantro, parsley, dill): basil loves warm greenhouse conditions and pairs well with tomatoes; cilantro prefers cooler months and bolts quickly in heat.
Root crops (carrots, beets, radishes): do well in deep beds or containers; cover soils with shade cloth to keep roots cool in high summer. Thin seedlings to proper spacing for size.

Top fruit and specialty picks

If you want to push beyond basic vegetables, consider these greenhouse-friendly fruits and specialist crops.

Strawberries: day-neutral or everbearing varieties produce long harvests. Use hanging systems or shallow beds to improve air circulation and reduce slugs.
Dwarf citrus (calamondin, Meyer lemon): excellent in heated or insulated greenhouses. Keep daytime temps 70-85F and nights above 55F. Feed regularly with citrus-specific fertilizer.
Grapes (table or wine varieties in controlled climates): need pruning and trellising. White varieties tolerate higher heat better.
Figs and dwarf stone fruits: container culture is possible; protect from late freezes and provide ripening sun in late summer.
Pineapple and banana (dwarf selections): require high humidity and warmth; good candidates for heated structure or summer rotation into the greenhouse.

Herbs and ornamentals that excel

Herbs and ornamentals are low-risk, high-reward greenhouse crops. They offer quick returns, fragrance, and seasonal interest.

Basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary: Mediterranean herbs that like warmth and good drainage. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Lavender: prefers full sun and excellent drainage; can be grown in bench pots with gritty media.
Geraniums, petunias, calibrachoa: greenhouse propagation from cuttings in winter or spring gives early-season sales or enjoyment.
Orchids and indoor tropicals: require humidity control, misting or trays with pebbles, and filtered light. Choose varieties adapted to intermediate to warm conditions.

Seasonal planting calendar for Texas greenhouses

Texas spans zones from about USDA 6B to 10A, so use local frost dates. The following is a practical greenhouse calendar that assumes a mild-protected structure and adaptable choices.

Winter (Dec-Feb): start cool-season crops–lettuce, spinach, kale, cilantro, peas. Protect young seedlings from occasional hard freezes with thermal mass or row cover inside the greenhouse.
Early spring (Mar-Apr): direct-sow root crops and begin warm-season transplants–tomatoes, peppers, cucurbits–under protection to harden off before full exposure.
Summer (May-Aug): focus on heat-tolerant crops and shade management. Use shade cloth (30-50%) during peak heat. Grow basil, okra, sweet potatoes in containers, or switch to shade-loving ornamental production.
Fall (Sep-Nov): move back to cool-season greens and herbs. Plant garlic and overwinter onions for spring harvest. Use greenhouse warmth to extend harvest by several weeks or months.

Soil, containers, and media recommendations

Good media is crucial for greenhouse success, especially in containers and raised beds.

Use a soilless mix for raised beds and containers composed of peat or coir, perlite, and composted bark. That improves drainage and reduces compaction.
For root crops, maintain at least 12-14 inches of loose, deep medium to allow carrot and beet development.
Amend raised beds with well-rotted compost and a balanced slow-release fertilizer. Test soil pH annually; most vegetables like pH 6.0-6.8.
For hydroponics or NFT systems, maintain EC and pH within target ranges: most vegetables do well at EC 1.5-2.5 mS/cm and pH 5.5-6.2.

Temperature, light, and humidity targets

Texas can produce extremes; greenhouse control parameters are key.

Daytime temperature: 70-85F for most vegetables; 75-85F for warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers.
Nighttime minimums: keep above 50-55F for vegetables; citrus and tropicals benefit from nights above 55-60F.
Light: full sun is ideal for fruiting crops. Use shade cloth 30-50% in summer afternoons; supplemental lighting is rarely necessary except for winter production in very short-day periods.
Humidity: target 50-70% relative humidity. High humidity encourages fungal diseases; use ventilation and fans to keep air moving.

Pest and disease management

Greenhouses are not pest-free. But they do enable easier integrated pest management.

Inspect new plants carefully before introducing them.
Maintain air circulation and avoid crowding; this reduces fungal diseases like powdery mildew and botrytis.
Use sticky traps for whiteflies and fungus gnats. Beneficial insects (lacewings, predatory mites) can work well, especially in enclosed structures.
Practice crop rotation and sanitize benches between crops. Remove diseased tissue promptly.

Practical takeaways and management checklist

Choose plants that match your greenhouse capability: unheated vs cooled vs heated.
Use shade cloth in summer and thermal mass or row covers for winter protection.
Prioritize high-value crops for greenhouse space: tomatoes, peppers, herbs, strawberries, dwarf citrus.
Keep media light, well-draining, and nutrient-rich; test pH and amend as needed.
Maintain ventilation and circulation to control humidity and heat; use timers and thermostats for fans and vents.
Implement pest monitoring and biological controls to minimize chemical use.
Stagger plantings to maintain continuous production and learning cycles.

Troubleshooting common Texas greenhouse problems

Excessive summer heat: install shade cloth, increase ventilation, add evaporative cooling if budget allows, use whitewash for temporary reduction of solar gain.
Blossom drop on tomatoes and peppers: often heat stress or humidity spikes; lower temperatures at night and improve air movement.
Poor fruit set: check pollination–hand pollinate flowers in isolated greenhouses or introduce bumblebees if practical.
Root rot and wilting: check drainage, reduce frequency of irrigation, repot into fresh media if necessary.
Seasonal bolting of herbs like cilantro: plant early for cool months and harvest before the heat builds or substitute with heat-tolerant herbs like basil in summer.

Final recommendations

A Texas greenhouse is a powerful tool to expand your growing options, increase yields, and protect delicate crops. Start by matching plant selections to the level of environmental control you can provide. Focus on high-value, fast-return crops first, and gradually diversify into fruits and tropicals once you gain comfort with temperature and humidity control. Keep routines: monitor climate conditions daily, test soil annually, and stay proactive about pests. With thoughtful plant choices and disciplined greenhouse management, you can grow excellent produce and ornamental crops in Texas year-round.