Types of Greenhouses

Since greenhouses use the sun to create warmth for the plants growing inside, these structures can be a viable alternative for growing plants even when air temperatures are cooler. If you’re considering buying a greenhouse, read on for details on the main types of greenhouses and how they work.

Since greenhouses use the sun to create warmth for the plants growing inside, these structures can be a viable alternative for growing plants even when air temperatures are cooler. If you’re considering buying a greenhouse, read on for details on the main types of greenhouses and how they work.

Greenhouses are categorized by temperature ranges and how much supplemental heat they need to grow plants effectively.

Cold Houses and Cold Frames: Cold houses provide protection for plants, but they have no supplemental heat source, so temperatures inside can still dip below freezing during the winter. Cold houses are best used to start spring crops a few weeks early and extend the fall growing season, but they are ultimately limited by the outdoor temperature.

Cool Houses: Cool houses are warmer than cold houses. They keep plants above freezing and in a temperature range of between 45 to 50 F to protect frost sensitive plants that would die over winter in freezing temperatures.

Warm Houses: A warm house has slightly warmer temperatures than a cool house, around 55 F. This is not warm enough for  tropical plants, but it is warm enough to germinate and grow many warm season vegetables during winter.

Hot Houses: Hot houses are designed for tropical plants that need a temperature range of 60 F and above. Since they require more supplemental heat than other greenhouse types, these can be expensive to maintain.

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