Best Vegetables and Herbs to Grow in a Greenhouse This NZ Winter
Winter Growing Is Not Only Possible — It’s Productive
A greenhouse can completely transform your gardening potential during winter. While many outdoor gardens slow down or shut down in colder months, a greenhouse provides a stable, protected environment that allows you to keep harvesting fresh produce right through the season. Whether you’re an experienced grower or just getting started, planting the right crops is key to winter success, and there’s a surprising variety of vegetables and herbs that not only survive but thrive in cool conditions.
Greenhouses help buffer plants from harsh winds, frost, and heavy rain while capturing solar warmth to create a more temperate climate inside. Even without heating systems, the shelter and insulation provided by a greenhouse can extend the growing season dramatically. With some thoughtful planning and a little maintenance, your winter garden can be just as rewarding as summer, especially when you focus on cool-loving, hardy varieties.
Top Crops for a Winter Greenhouse
Some of the best crops for winter greenhouse gardening in NZ are leafy greens and hardy herbs. These plants grow well in low light, cooler temperatures, and confined spaces, making them ideal candidates for both compact greenhouses and larger setups.
Spinach is a top performer in cold weather. It tolerates low light and frost, grows quickly from seed, and benefits from regular harvesting, which encourages new leaves to form. Sow directly into raised beds or large containers, and enjoy multiple harvests over the course of the season.
Silverbeet thrives in cooler temperatures and is highly dependable. It grows vigorously in a greenhouse and offers nutritious, colourful leaves that can be picked over several months. It handles winter conditions exceptionally well and is a great base crop for any winter garden.
Kale is one of the most winter-hardy vegetables available. Interestingly, its flavour actually improves after exposure to frost. Kale grows steadily in greenhouse conditions, and consistent picking of the outer leaves encourages more growth. It’s nutrient-dense, cold-tolerant, and long-lasting, a staple crop for cold-season gardeners.
Coriander, while quick to bolt in summer, flourishes in winter. It prefers the cooler temperatures and will reward you with tender, aromatic leaves for an extended period. Grow it in containers or borders and harvest frequently to keep the plant producing.
Parsley is another slow and steady grower that holds up well in a greenhouse during winter. It may take time to establish, but once it does, you’ll enjoy a continual harvest for soups, stews, and sauces. It’s ideal for raised beds or as part of a winter herb patch.
Bok Choy is an Asian green that matures quickly, often within 30 to 40 days. It prefers cooler weather and is less prone to bolting in winter. Pak choi grows well in beds or deep containers and can be harvested as baby leaves or full-sized heads depending on your preference.
Choosing the Right Greenhouse Setup
For small-scale growing or herb-focused gardens, the Plant Inn Elevated Garden Bed is a compact, raised option that keeps crops warm and tidy in winter. It’s especially useful for patios, decks, or urban spaces. If you’re aiming to grow a variety of vegetables with more room to expand, the Harmony Greenhouse offers greater space and better airflow while still maintaining warmth. In colder regions, or if you want better insulation and energy efficiency, the Hybrid Greenhouse with twin-wall polycarbonate roof panels offers superior thermal performance and helps maintain a consistent environment throughout the coldest months.
With the right crops and setup, your greenhouse can become a productive, satisfying part of your winter lifestyle, bringing fresh greens and herbs to the table when they're most appreciated.