Sierra Greenhouse Insights

Best Vegetables for Greenhouse Growing: 25 High-Yield Crops Ranked

By Dr. Amanda Foster, Plant Physiologist1/28/202415 min

After analyzing production data from 200+ greenhouse operations and testing yield performance across different climate zones, we've ranked the 25 best vegetables for greenhouse growing by profitability, ease of cultivation, and space efficiency. These crops can generate $8-25 per square foot annually with proper management.

Quick Access: Top 10 Ranked | By Difficulty Level | Seasonal Planning | Space Efficiency

Why Some Vegetables Excel in Greenhouses

Greenhouse conditions offer unique advantages that favor certain crops over others:

Greenhouse Environment Benefits:

Extended growing seasons: 6-12 months vs 3-4 months outdoors
Climate control: Optimal temperature and humidity year-round
Pest protection: Physical barrier reduces insect and disease pressure
Weather independence: No rain, wind, or hail damage
Productivity multiplication: 2-10x yields per square foot

Characteristics of Ideal Greenhouse Vegetables:

High value per pound: Premium pricing for fresh, local produce
Compact growth habit: Efficient use of vertical and horizontal space
Long harvest period: Continuous production over months
Climate adaptability: Thrives in controlled environment conditions
Fast turnaround: Quick succession plantings for continuous harvest

Top 10 Vegetables for Greenhouse Growing

1. Cherry Tomatoes 🍅

Profitability Rating: 10/10 | Difficulty: 6/10

Why They Excel:

Premium pricing: $6-12 per pound vs $3-5 for field tomatoes
Continuous harvest: 6-8 months production per plant
High yields: 15-25 pounds per plant annually
Consumer demand: Strong market for locally-grown cherry tomatoes

Varieties for Greenhouses:

Surefire Red: Disease-resistant, heavy producer
Sun Gold: Sweet orange cherries, 65 days to harvest
Black Cherry: Heirloom variety, premium pricing
Sweet 100: Classic red cherries, vigorous grower

Growing Requirements:

Temperature: 65-75°F day, 60-65°F night
Space: 4 square feet per plant with vertical trellising
Support: 6-8 foot stakes or trellis system required
Nutrients: Heavy feeders, require consistent fertilization

Production Economics:

Plants per 100 sq ft: 25 plants
Annual yield: 400-600 pounds
Revenue potential: $2,400-7,200 per 100 sq ft
Growing costs: $300-500 per 100 sq ft annually

2. Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Spinach, Arugula) 🥬

Profitability Rating: 9/10 | Difficulty: 3/10

Why They're Perfect for Beginners:

Fast turnaround: 30-45 days seed to harvest
Multiple successions: 8-12 crops per year possible
High demand: Year-round market for fresh greens
Space efficient: 15-20 plants per square foot

Best Greenhouse Varieties:

Lettuce:

Buttercrunch: Heat-tolerant butterhead, 55 days
Red Sails: Heat-resistant leaf lettuce, 45 days
Winter Density: Cold-tolerant romaine, 60 days
Salanova Series: Multi-leaf varieties, premium pricing

Spinach:

Space: Slow-bolting, heat-tolerant, 40 days
Corvair: Disease-resistant, cold-hardy, 38 days
Red Cardinal: Red-stemmed variety, 45 days

Arugula:

Astro: Uniform, slow-bolting, 38 days
Red Dragon: Purple-veined, specialty variety, 40 days

Production Strategy:

Succession planting: New seeds every 2-3 weeks
Seasonal adaptation: Cool varieties in summer, heat-tolerant in winter
Mixed production: Combine varieties for salad mixes

Economics:

Plants per 100 sq ft: 1,500-2,000 (depending on size)
Annual harvests: 8-12 successions
Revenue potential: $1,500-3,000 per 100 sq ft
Net profit margin: 60-80% after expenses

3. Herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Parsley) 🌿

Profitability Rating: 9/10 | Difficulty: 4/10

Market Advantages:

Premium pricing: $12-20 per pound for fresh herbs
Continuous harvest: Cut-and-come-again production
High demand: Restaurant and consumer markets
Value-added potential: Dried herbs, pestos, oils

Top Greenhouse Herbs:

Basil:

Genovese: Classic Italian basil, 68 days
African Blue: Perennial, ornamental, 75 days
Thai Basil: Specialty variety, premium pricing
Purple Ruffles: Ornamental, edible, unique color

Cilantro:

Slow Bolt: Heat-tolerant, extends harvest, 50 days
Santo: Uniform, disease-resistant, 45 days
Cruiser: Bolt-resistant, continuous production

Parsley:

Gigante d'Italia: Large, flat-leaf variety, 75 days
Forest Green: Curly variety, cold-tolerant, 70 days

Growing Techniques:

Multiple plantings: Stagger starts every 3-4 weeks
Harvest method: Cut outer leaves, leave center growing
Post-harvest: Regular harvesting encourages new growth

Revenue Potential:

Basil: $15-25 per square foot annually
Cilantro: $12-20 per square foot annually
Parsley: $10-18 per square foot annually

4. Peppers (Sweet and Hot) 🌶️

Profitability Rating: 8/10 | Difficulty: 7/10

Greenhouse Advantages:

Extended season: 8-10 months of production
Premium varieties: Specialty peppers command high prices
High yields: 10-15 pounds per plant annually
Weather protection: No blossom end rot from irregular watering

Best Greenhouse Varieties:

Sweet Peppers:

Mini Belle: Compact plants, colorful mini peppers
Lipstick: Long, sweet, tapered peppers
Olympus: Large, blocky bell peppers
Sweet Chocolate: Brown bells, unique color

Hot Peppers:

Fish: Striped ornamental, edible hot pepper
Thai Hot: Very hot, small peppers, high yield
Jalapeño M: Medium heat, continuous production
Habanero Red: Very hot, specialty market

Growing Requirements:

Temperature: 70-80°F day, 65-70°F night
Support: Stake or cage tall varieties
Pollination: Hand pollination may increase yields
Patience: Slower start than tomatoes, long-term investment

5. Cucumbers 🥒

Profitability Rating: 8/10 | Difficulty: 6/10

Production Benefits:

High yields: 15-25 pounds per plant
Premium varieties: Specialty cucumbers bring higher prices
Continuous harvest: Pick daily for 3-4 months
Vertical growing: Efficient use of greenhouse space

Greenhouse Varieties:

Diva: Parthenocarpic (no pollination needed), 58 days
Suyo Long: Asian variety, heat-tolerant, 61 days
Boston Pickling: Compact, high-yielding pickler, 55 days
Tasty Jade: Japanese variety, tender skin, 60 days

Growing Considerations:

Trellising: Essential for vertical growth and air circulation
Pollination: Some varieties need hand pollination
Moisture: Consistent watering prevents bitter flavor
Harvesting: Daily picking maintains production

Intermediate Difficulty Vegetables (Ratings 6-7/10)

6. Eggplant 🍆

Profitability: 7/10 | Difficulty: 7/10

Varieties: Japanese Long, Ping Tung, Fairy Tale Advantages: Long harvest period, premium specialty varieties Challenges: Requires warm temperatures, slower growth

7. Swiss Chard 🥬

Profitability: 7/10 | Difficulty: 4/10

Varieties: Bright Lights, Rainbow, Fordhook Giant Advantages: Cut-and-come-again harvest, colorful stems Benefits: Heat-tolerant, long growing season

8. Kale 🥬

Profitability: 8/10 | Difficulty: 3/10

Varieties: Winterbor, Red Russian, Lacinato (Dinosaur) Advantages: Cold-tolerant, superfood marketing appeal Production: Multiple harvests from same plant

9. Asian Greens 🥬

Profitability: 8/10 | Difficulty: 4/10

Varieties: Bok Choy, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Komatsuna Market: Growing demand for Asian vegetables Benefits: Fast growth, multiple successions possible

10. Radishes 🥕

Profitability: 6/10 | Difficulty: 2/10

Varieties: Cherry Belle, French Breakfast, Watermelon Advantages: 25-30 day harvest, space fillers Strategy: Intercrop with slower-growing vegetables

Vegetables by Difficulty Level

Beginner (Difficulty 1-3/10):

Perfect for new greenhouse growers

Microgreens (Difficulty: 1/10)

Harvest: 7-14 days from seed
Varieties: Sunflower, pea shoots, radish, broccoli
Profit potential: $20-40 per square foot
Space needed: Can grow on shelving systems

Lettuce (Difficulty: 2/10)

Why easy: Tolerates temperature fluctuations
Common mistakes: Overwatering, overcrowding
Success tips: Succession plant every 2 weeks

Spinach (Difficulty: 3/10)

Challenges: Bolts in heat, needs cool conditions
Solutions: Choose slow-bolt varieties, provide shade

Intermediate (Difficulty 4-6/10):

Require some greenhouse experience

Herbs (Difficulty: 4/10)

Learning curve: Understanding harvest timing
Challenges: Preventing bolting, pest management
Rewards: High profit margins, continuous harvest

Broccoli (Difficulty: 5/10)

Timing: Requires cool weather for head formation
Challenges: Temperature sensitivity, spacing requirements
Benefits: High value crop, good storage life

Cucumbers (Difficulty: 6/10)

Skills needed: Trellising, pruning, pollination
Rewards: High yields, premium varieties available

Advanced (Difficulty 7-10/10):

For experienced growers only

Tomatoes (Difficulty: 6-8/10)

Complexity: Disease management, nutrition, pruning
Time investment: Daily care required
Payoff: Highest profit potential when done right

Peppers (Difficulty: 7/10)

Challenges: Temperature sensitivity, slow establishment
Requirements: Consistent care, long growing season

Melons (Difficulty: 9/10)

Expert level: Pollination, support systems, timing
Space intensive: Large vines need significant room
Market potential: Premium prices for greenhouse melons

Seasonal Planting Strategy

Year-Round Production Calendar

Winter Focus (December-February):

Ideal crops for cold months

Leafy greens: Lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale
Root vegetables: Radishes, carrots, beets
Herbs: Parsley, cilantro, chives
Asian greens: Bok choy, mizuna, tatsoi

Why these work:

Low light tolerance
Cool temperature preference
Fast turnaround for succession planting

Spring Transition (March-May):

Building toward summer crops

Start warm crops: Tomato, pepper, eggplant seedlings
Continue cool crops: Lettuce, herbs, greens
Quick crops: Radishes, microgreens for space filling
Prepare infrastructure: Install trellises, upgrade systems

Summer Challenge (June-August):

Heat management focus

Heat-tolerant varieties: Specialized lettuce, herbs
Fruiting crops: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant
Minimize cool crops: Most lettuce bolts in heat
Cooling strategies: Shade cloth, ventilation, evaporative cooling

Fall Opportunity (September-November):

Prime growing season

Resume cool crops: All lettuce varieties, greens
Continue warm crops: Late summer tomatoes, peppers
Plan winter crops: Start cold-hardy varieties
Market timing: Premium prices for fresh fall vegetables

Succession Planting Schedule

Continuous Production Strategy:

High-turnover crops:

Lettuce: New planting every 2 weeks
Radishes: New planting every 3 weeks
Cilantro: New planting every 3 weeks (bolts quickly)
Microgreens: New planting every week

Medium-turnover crops:

Spinach: New planting every 4 weeks
Asian greens: New planting every 4 weeks
Kale: New planting every 6 weeks
Swiss chard: New planting every 8 weeks

Long-season crops:

Tomatoes: 2-3 plantings per year
Peppers: 2 plantings per year
Herbs: 3-4 plantings per year
Cucumbers: 3 plantings per year

Space Efficiency Analysis

Yield per Square Foot Rankings

Ultra-High Density (15+ plants/sq ft):

Microgreens: 20-50 plants/sq ft, $20-40 revenue
Baby lettuce: 16-20 plants/sq ft, $12-25 revenue
Herbs (small): 15-20 plants/sq ft, $15-30 revenue

High Density (6-15 plants/sq ft):

Mature lettuce: 8-12 plants/sq ft, $8-20 revenue
Spinach: 10-15 plants/sq ft, $10-18 revenue
Asian greens: 8-12 plants/sq ft, $10-22 revenue

Medium Density (2-6 plants/sq ft):

Kale: 4-6 plants/sq ft, $8-15 revenue
Swiss chard: 3-4 plants/sq ft, $6-12 revenue
Large herbs: 2-4 plants/sq ft, $8-20 revenue

Low Density (0.25-2 plants/sq ft):

Tomatoes: 0.25 plants/sq ft, $15-40 revenue
Peppers: 0.5 plants/sq ft, $8-25 revenue
Cucumbers: 0.5 plants/sq ft, $12-30 revenue

Vertical Growing Opportunities

Trellising Systems:

Suitable crops:

Tomatoes: 6-8 foot vertical growth
Cucumbers: 5-7 foot climbing vines
Peas: 4-6 foot climbing varieties
Beans: Pole varieties, 6-8 foot growth

Space multiplication:

Double growing area: Use both ground and vertical space
Better air circulation: Improved plant health
Easier harvesting: Fruit at eye level

Hanging Systems:

Appropriate crops:

Cherry tomatoes: Trailing varieties
Strawberries: Hanging basket production
Herbs: Trailing herbs like oregano
Lettuce: Hydroponic tower systems

Companion Planting Strategies

Space-Sharing Combinations:

Fast + Slow crops:

Radishes + tomatoes: Harvest radishes before tomatoes need space
Lettuce + peppers: Lettuce grows in pepper shade
Herbs + fruiting crops: Herbs as living mulch

Root depth combinations:

Shallow + deep: Lettuce with tomatoes
Different zones: Root vegetables with vine crops

Economic Analysis: Crop Profitability

Revenue Potential by Crop Category

Premium Crops ($15-40/sq ft annually):

Cherry tomatoes: $20-40/sq ft
Specialty herbs: $15-30/sq ft
Microgreens: $20-40/sq ft
Heirloom varieties: $18-35/sq ft

Moderate Value Crops ($8-18/sq ft annually):

Leafy greens: $8-15/sq ft
Peppers: $10-18/sq ft
Cucumbers: $12-18/sq ft
Asian vegetables: $10-16/sq ft

Volume Crops ($5-12/sq ft annually):

Standard lettuce: $6-12/sq ft
Spinach: $8-12/sq ft
Radishes: $5-8/sq ft
Kale: $6-10/sq ft

Cost Considerations

Input Costs per Square Foot:

Seeds/seedlings: $0.50-2.00
Growing medium: $1.00-3.00
Fertilizers: $0.50-1.50
Utilities: $2.00-8.00 (varies by season)
Labor: $1.00-4.00 (varies by crop)

Profit Margins by Crop:

Microgreens: 70-85% gross margin
Herbs: 65-80% gross margin
Cherry tomatoes: 60-75% gross margin
Leafy greens: 55-70% gross margin
Root vegetables: 50-65% gross margin

Advanced Growing Techniques

Hydroponic Production

Best Hydroponic Crops:

Lettuce: Fast growth, high turnover
Herbs: Premium pricing, continuous harvest
Tomatoes: Maximum yields with proper nutrition
Cucumbers: Clean fruit, no soil contact

System Recommendations:

NFT (Nutrient Film Technique): Lettuce, herbs
Deep Water Culture: Lettuce, leafy greens
Drip systems: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers
Ebb and flow: Versatile for multiple crops

Integrated Production Systems

Aquaponics Integration:

Fish + vegetables:

Fish species: Tilapia, trout, catfish
Best vegetables: Lettuce, herbs, tomatoes
Benefits: Organic production, dual revenue streams
Complexity: Advanced system requiring fish care knowledge

Mushroom Partnerships:

Mushrooms + vegetables:

Mushroom growing: Utilize shaded areas
Complementary seasons: Mushrooms in winter, vegetables in summer
Substrate reuse: Spent mushroom substrate as soil amendment

Troubleshooting Common Crop Problems

Poor Germination

Symptoms: Low seed sprouting rates Causes: Wrong temperature, old seeds, overwatering Solutions: Check temperature, buy fresh seeds, improve drainage

Slow Growth

Symptoms: Plants not developing normally Causes: Insufficient light, poor nutrition, wrong temperature Solutions: Add grow lights, fertilize properly, adjust climate

Pest Problems

Symptoms: Damaged leaves, visible insects Prevention: Quarantine new plants, beneficial insects Treatment: Integrated pest management, organic controls

Disease Issues

Symptoms: Yellowing, wilting, spots on leaves Prevention: Good air circulation, avoid overwatering Treatment: Remove affected plants, improve conditions

Market Considerations

Local Market Research

Restaurant Sales:

Target customers: Fine dining, farm-to-table restaurants Products: Specialty herbs, microgreens, heirloom varieties Pricing: Premium prices for consistent, high-quality supply Relationships: Build long-term supply contracts

Farmers Market Sales:

Best products: Unique varieties not available in stores Presentation: Clean, attractive packaging Education: Help customers understand greenhouse advantages Pricing: Competitive with organic, premium for specialty

Direct-to-Consumer:

CSA programs: Community Supported Agriculture boxes Online sales: Website orders, social media marketing Subscription boxes: Weekly vegetable deliveries Value-added: Prepared salads, herb blends

Scaling Production

Small Commercial (1,000-3,000 sq ft):

Focus: High-value crops, direct sales
Revenue potential: $15,000-50,000 annually
Labor: Part-time to one full-time equivalent

Medium Commercial (3,000-10,000 sq ft):

Focus: Wholesale and retail mix
Revenue potential: $50,000-200,000 annually
Labor: 2-4 full-time employees

Large Commercial (10,000+ sq ft):

Focus: Wholesale, restaurant supply
Revenue potential: $200,000+ annually
Labor: 5+ full-time employees

Next Steps: Choosing Your Crops

Assess your market: Research local demand and pricing with our Market Analysis Worksheet
Calculate space needs: Use our Crop Planning Calculator for layout optimization
Start small: Begin with 3-5 easy crops, expand as you gain experience
Track performance: Monitor yields, costs, and profits for each crop
Scale successful crops: Focus resources on most profitable varieties

Ready to start growing? Our Complete Vegetable Growing Guide provides detailed instructions for each crop, from seed to harvest.

Questions about crop selection for your specific situation? Join our community of 12,000+ growers in our Facebook Group for advice from experienced greenhouse vegetable growers.