What to Plant in a Greenhouse in Louisiana

4 Benefits, 2 Seasonal Veggie, Fruit, and Flower Lists

What to Plant in a Greenhouse in Louisiana?

Do you watch your favorite exotic plants and flowers wilt away every winter? Or perhaps you were gifted or hope to own a greenhouse. You love the idea and the look of a darling backyard greenhouse, yet you have a few hesitations… No kidding!

You may be wary of the usefulness of a greenhouse in the deep south. You may rightly wonder with year-round warm temperatures whether a greenhouse is a worthwhile investment, especially in the hot summer…and for that matter, what vegetables or plants do well in a warm climate greenhouse?!

Prepare to pull out all those weedy concerns, this blog will prepare you with the tools you need to know exactly what to plant in a zone 8-9 greenhouse.

First, let’s go over what is a greenhouse, the benefits of a greenhouse, and then onto what to plant in a greenhouse in Louisiana!

What Is A Greenhouse? 

A greenhouse is a small to large structure with transparent walls and a roof of either glass or polycarbonate sheet. The clear walls and roof attract the sun’s rays while at the same time capturing its heat. This trapped heat allows for a greenhouse to stay warm even on cold or chilly days and nights.

Did you know that the world heats itself similarly to a greenhouse? Check out the Greenhouse Effect for the whole low down.

Basically, a greenhouse is your vegetables and exotic plants best friend!

Fascinating right!?

Why Grow Anything in a Greenhouse?

You may already know the basic purpose of a greenhouse…to keep vegetables at a plant-loving temperature year-round. 

However, let’s unearth 4 benefits offered to you by a greenhouse to more fully capture its purpose in Louisiana.

#1. Protects Your Plants from Harsh Weather Conditions

This benefit is a big deal especially considering the deep south hosts some pretty big storms. A greenhouse is gold for keeping your precious plants and veggies from drowning in the rains of severe thunderstorms, hail, stray branches, and hurricanes that stop by one too many times!

#2. Extends Your Plants Growing Season

Typically, this benefit serves colder climates the most, however, even in Louisiana a greenhouse can keep your gardening one leap ahead by offering an ideal location to prepare seedlings for spring planting during the winter months.  Plus, keep your tropical plants alive all year.

#3. Defends Your Plants Against Herbivorous Pests

A greenhouse offers a new level of protection from regular garden pesks, thanks to your ability to better control its environment.

#4. Allows for a “Tropical Forest”

This is the cream of the crop! A greenhouse in the deep south offers a perfect place to love all of the sweetest and rarest veggies, fruit, and plants. You will dig deeper into this benefit later with what can you can plant in a greenhouse in Louisiana.

Yes, there are more advantages out there! Taste some more benefits by checking out 10 Big Benefits of a Small Greenhouse.

Ready to discover when and what you should plant in your greenhouse!? Well, ready or not, grab a notepad and a pencil and prepare to have a colorful list of veggies and plants to add to your greenhouse!

Rethink Your Plant, Veggies, & Greenhouse Location

Think Paradise!

Let’s just be clear from the get-go. Your hesitations hold merit. Louisiana is a warm place with evener hotter summers! Your outdoor temperatures spike from the high 80s to the high 90s. Regular garden veggies will melt at the peak of summer heat inside a greenhouse unless you have a cooling system in place ( and that can get quite pricey).

However, if you are a tropical plant lover, or enjoy trying new and adventurous veggies and fruit, a greenhouse in Louisiana can keep veggies, plants, and fruit growing all year round. Think Tropical instead of Typical.

Location Matters!

With the heat posing a problem during the height of summer, consider shading your greenhouse from the direct rays of the sun. If you have trees, consider placing your greenhouse in its shade.

However, if your yard holds not a tree in sight, utilize outside shade cloths or inside shade curtains to alleviate relentless direct sunlight to your plants. If needed, install a few fans.

Let’s Get Started!

Enjoy discovering what to plant in a greenhouse in Louisiana by seasons.

What to Plant in a Greenhouse in the Winter in Louisiana

Winter is a season that is perfect for preparing seedlings for the springtime sowing. You can plant your regular outdoor veggies and fruit seedlings inside a greenhouse during the winter and then transfer them outside in the spring soil.

Besides preparing your seedlings, check out this list of veggies that can be enjoyed during the winter months.

List of Winter Veggies to Grow

• Kale
• Cabbage
• Beets
• Radishes
• Sweet Peas
• Swiss Chard
• Brussel Sprouts
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Elephant Ears
• Avocado

List of Winter Fruit to Grow

• Dragon Fruit
• Mango
• Jackfruit
• Figs
• Banana
• Oranges
• Grapefruit
• Limes
• Lemons

List of Winter Plants & Flowers to Grow

• Passiflora
• Passionflower
• Brugmanisa
• Hibiscus
• Bougainvillea
• Aloe vera
• Cinnamon
• Parsley
• Oregano
• Cilantro

What to Plant in a Greenhouse in Summer in Louisiana

Knowing what to plant in your greenhouse in Louisiana in the summer is ultimately the question begging to be answered. As mentioned previously, part of your hesitation is the usefulness of a greenhouse in the dead of summer.

Now is the time to rethink your typical veggies, plants, and fruit. A greenhouse in the Louisiana summer heat can be super productive if you think TROPICAL instead of typical, although you can still enjoy common veggies, like tomatoes and peppers.

What to Plant in a Greenhouse All Season in Louisiana

Last, but not least, you may wonder, what can I keep alive all year in my deep south greenhouse? Well, this is where the beauty of a greenhouse, or should we say, the warmth of a greenhouse is the key.

Your greenhouse allows for you to keep many of your summer fruit, veggies, herbs, and flowers, alive, or safely wintered. You will not have to replant all new summer or winter veggies every few months once your greenhouse favorites are established. Your winter veggies will mesh into your summer ones. With some lasting year-round and others wintering, or summering😉

Check out Louisiana Tropical Garden and Travel, and discover all the amazing veggies, herbs, fruit, and other plants that are available to you to plant inside a Louisiana greenhouse.

Get Started with Your Very Own Greenhouse!

Are you ready to dive into this next year with a Louisiana greenhouse in tow? Are you ready to try new and delicious fruit and veggies? Are you ready to have fun?

If so, you got this! Greenhouse gardening is about to become your new favorite hobby!

Check out Gemco’s Greenhouses and discover our high-quality portable greenhouses, designed with the deep south in mind. Instead of glass, Gemco uses polycarbonate sheet and offers you the option of either steel or wood framing.

It is never too late to invest in your gardening, and a Gemco Greenhouse got your back!

Happy Greenhouse Gardening!