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A greenhouse opens the door to growing a wider range of flowers. But you’ll want plants that respond well to extra shelter and can handle the UK’s changing climate. This list of the best flowers for greenhouses is a good place to start, with a few tips to take care of them best.
Not all flowers should go in a greenhouse, but this selection provides some great options to make your greenhouse look fabulous.
10 Best Flowers for Greenhouses
These are tried and tested picks for greenhouse growers:
Geraniums
You can never go wrong with geraniums if you’re still getting the hang of greenhouse growing. This type of flower isn’t demanding in terms of maintenance and gets on fine.
Give them warmth, but don’t let the air get too still—that’s when mildew creeps in. If they start looking scruffy, give them a trim and they’ll grow back.
Fuchsias
Some plants seem made for greenhouses, and fuchsias are one of them. They don’t need intense heat, which means they won’t struggle through cooler spells. If your greenhouse sits on the milder side, they’ll settle in without much effort.
Trailing types are worth looking into. They look lovely in baskets or shelves, where they can hang freely. If you’re short on space, that’s a plus. Watch the watering, though; let the top of the compost dry out a bit between rounds.
Begonias
Begonias do their best in a greenhouse that gets more shade than sun. Use a potting mix that drains well for these flowers. If the top feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still damp, leave it for later. The goal is to avoid letting the roots sit in wet compost for too long.
You might notice a few leaves turning yellow or soft from time to time. Take those off when you see them, and you’re all good.
Petunias
Petunias are known for their full and bright bloom, and they don’t need much to stay that way in a greenhouse. As long as you give them sunlight and the air is moving around them, you’re halfway there.
One thing to keep in mind: the flowers won’t keep coming unless you remove the dead ones. Also, some types can grow a bit wild if left alone too long. If that happens, don’t hesitate to cut them back.
Sweet peas
(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Not many flowers do it quite like sweet peas can—for one, their scent! To add them to your greenhouse display, set up cranes, netting, or string. Go for a deep pot too, as they don’t do well in shallow trays.
Once the flowers start showing, don’t leave them sitting there too long. Keep picking and they’ll keep coming. Miss a few days and they’ll slow right down.
Your greenhouse will need good airflow to keep sweet peas healthy. Too much humidity and they could suffer from mildew.
Chrysanthemums
By the time most of your other plants are slowing down, chrysanthemums are getting going. Give them enough space so light can reach them, but don’t tuck them away in a corner. At the early stage, pinch off the tips once they’ve got a few sets of leaves to encourage stronger, bushier growth.
Snapdragons
You won’t need the perfect greenhouse conditions for snapdragons. These hardy plants can manage through cooler nights, provided they’re in a spot with light but not too much heat. They don’t mind lower temperatures, and in fact, they tend to hold their shape better that way.
They flower into early autumn, which makes them a good option for extending the season!
Pelargoniums
These get mixed up with geraniums all the time, but they’re not quite the same. Pelargoniums need more warmth and sun. Soggy roots aren’t for them either; let the soil dry out before watering again.
Check under the leaves regularly. Otherwise, aphids can show up if they’re left too long.
African violets
African violets don’t need much space, which makes them easy to slot in wherever there’s a spare shelf. Avoid harsh sun; instead, pick a bright spot out of direct light. Water from the base to avoid wet leaves, and try to keep them somewhere warm and out of draughts.
Calendulas
Calendulas are favoured for their consistent blooming even when the weather dips. It’s fine if your greenhouse isn’t the warmest, just don’t let them get too cramped.
No need for full sun all day, but do try to give them a bright spot to maintain their colour. Give them a trim when the flowers fade to make way for the new blooms.
We hope this guide helps you pick out a few flowers to try in your greenhouse! Read this guide next to expand your plants: 6 Fast-Growing Vegetable Crops To Start In Your Garden
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