{"id":6464,"date":"2026-03-07T22:50:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-08T06:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/07\/19-of-the-best-annual-vines-for-greenhouse-shade\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T22:50:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T06:50:14","slug":"19-of-the-best-annual-vines-for-greenhouse-shade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/07\/19-of-the-best-annual-vines-for-greenhouse-shade\/","title":{"rendered":"19 of the Best Annual Vines for Greenhouse Shade"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Even in a single season, vines can reach 25 feet or more, producing abundant female cones, which are the portions used in brewing.<\/p>\n

Many gardeners choose hops based on the flavor that they want to add to their beer.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Chinook\u2019 Hops<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

If that\u2019s the case, \u2018Chinook\u2019 has sweet hops that lack bitterness. But I also think they\u2019re particularly good looking, resembling pine cones.<\/p>\n

You can find \u2018Chinook\u2019 hops plants available at Nature Hills Nursery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

9. Jasmine<\/h2>\n

With all the lovely jasmine options out there, it\u2019s a pretty safe bet that one will work for your greenhouse shade needs.<\/p>\n

Asiatic jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum<\/em>)<\/a><\/strong>, cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides<\/em>), Italian jasmine (Chrysojasminum humile<\/em>)<\/a><\/strong>, <\/em>and <\/em>star jasmine (T. jasminoides<\/em>)<\/a><\/strong> are just a few popular options.<\/p>\n

Most grow in Zones 7 to 11, but they also work nicely as annuals. When grown as perennials, they can reach 40 feet or more. As annuals, expect them to reach 15 feet or so at most.<\/p>\n

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Star Jasmine<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Star jasmine can reach about 10 feet in a single season and is covered all summer in honey-sweet, fragrant white flowers.<\/p>\n

You can find star jasmine available at Fast Growing Trees<\/a><\/strong> in one-, two-, and three-gallon containers.<\/p>\n

Learn how to grow jasmine here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

10. Kiwiberry<\/h2>\n

I don\u2019t want to anger the kiwi lobby, but I prefer the sweet, petite, hairless hardy kiwiberries (Actinidia arguta<\/em>) to their close relatives, kiwifruits (Actinidia deliciosa)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The vines are so pretty that they were originally imported into the US to serve as ornamentals, but more people are catching on to how delicious the fruits are.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re sweeter than their larger cousins plus they don\u2019t need peeling.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Prolific\u2019 Kiwiberry<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The vines grow about 10 feet tall or so, depending on the cultivar, and are hardy in Zones 4 to 9. They can also be a bit aggressive, depending on where you live.<\/p>\n

If a fast-growing, tough-as-nails plant that can be grown as a perennial or annual sounds good to you, snag a \u2018Prolific\u2019 kiwiberry from Fast Growing Trees<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

11. Lantana<\/h2>\n

Some vines can be a bit, shall we say, exuberant, but lantana (Lantana<\/em> spp.) generally stays more polite.<\/p>\n

It grows to about six feet tall with bright balls of multi-colored flowers.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a mesmerizing garden addition that will return year after year in Zones 9 to 11, but can still grow to its full size as an annual in cooler regions.<\/p>\n

You can find plants that have blooms in shades of purple, pink, yellow, orange, white, red, or a combination of colors.<\/p>\n

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Purple Lantana<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

L. montevidensis<\/em> has solid purple flowers. Train it up a support and it will add color to your greenhouse all summer long.<\/p>\n

You can find lantana in three-gallon containers available at Fast Growing Trees<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Learn how to care for your new addition by reading our guide to growing lantana<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

12. Malabar Spinach<\/h2>\n

Malabar spinach (Basella alba<\/em>) isn\u2019t related to the leafy green we grow during the cool seasons.<\/p>\n

The leaves look a bit like spinach but the flavor is much better, if you ask me. They have a citrusy, peppery note that is exceptional.<\/p>\n

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Malabar Spinach<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The plant grows as a perennial in Zones 9 to 11, but it\u2019s a quick-growing vine so you can grow it as an annual and it will reach 10 feet or more.<\/p>\n

The foliage can be ready to harvest in just 60 days or so.<\/p>\n

You can find malabar spinach seeds in a variety of packet sizes available at True Leaf Market<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Learn more about growing malabar spinach here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

13. Melon<\/h2>\n

I can\u2019t think of anything better to shade a greenhouse than a big, fast-growing, bountiful plant that gives you sweet treats during the summer.<\/p>\n

From early sweet cantaloupes<\/a><\/strong> to fragrant, tangy canary melons, there are oodles of options.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed, we have a guide to 33 of the best melon varieties<\/a><\/strong> that you can check out.<\/p>\n

For greenhouse shading, smaller-fruited melons are generally the easiest to manage unless you plan to provide additional support.<\/p>\n

With sturdy trellising or netting, heavier fruits can be grown successfully.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Cracker Jack\u2019 Watermelon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Cracker Jack\u2019 is a super sweet, seedless watermelon cultivar that produces small- to medium-sized fruits on strong vines.<\/p>\n

You can find \u2018Cracker Jack\u2019 seeds available at High Mowing Seeds<\/a><\/strong> in a variety of packet sizes.<\/p>\n

Learn more about growing watermelons here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

14. Moonflower<\/h2>\n

Glorious night flowering moonflowers (Ipomoea alba<\/em>) are fast growing and will rapidly cover your greenhouse in sweet-smelling white flowers that open in the evening.<\/p>\n

Even when the flowers are closed during the day, they remain visually appealing.<\/p>\n

The dense foliage provides effective shade, and the large, heart-shaped leaves can reach up to eight inches long.<\/p>\n

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Moonflower<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Moonflowers are perennial in Zones 10 to 12, where vines can reach up to 70 feet long.<\/p>\n

When grown as annuals, they typically grow 15 to 20 feet in a single season, especially if seeds are started indoors to give plants an early start in spring.<\/p>\n

You can find moonflower seeds available at True Leaf Market<\/a><\/strong> in a variety of packet sizes.<\/p>\n

15. Passionflower<\/h2>\n

If I had to pick one vine to shade my greenhouse, it would be passionflower (Passiflora edulis<\/em>).<\/p>\n

I will never get over how fascinating the flowers are, the unusual shape and vibrant coloration is attention grabbing.<\/p>\n

The fruit is also my favorite in the world, which might bias me further. There\u2019s nothing like the sweet, citrusy flavor, and I love crunching into the small seeds.<\/p>\n

They grow in Zones 8 to 11 as perennials, but can rapidly reach 20 feet in just one season when grown as an annual.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Nancy Garrison\u2019 Passionflower<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Nancy Garrison\u2019 is a superb option because it has both dramatic flowers and large, flavorful fruits.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, you have to sacrifice the floral display for the fruits, or visa versa, but this cultivar has both.<\/p>\n

Pick up a two- to three-foot-tall \u2018Nancy Garrison\u2019 at Fast Growing Trees<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Check out our guide to growing passionflower<\/a><\/strong> to learn more.<\/p>\n

16. Pepper Vine<\/h2>\n

Black pepper vine aka peppercorn plant (Piper nigrum<\/em>) is a treat. The glossy, heart-shaped foliage is plenty pretty and if you grow it as an annual, that\u2019s probably all you\u2019ll see.<\/p>\n

Given several years of growth, black pepper vines develop bright red flowers followed by hanging stalks packed with green fruits that gradually mature to deep red.<\/p>\n

Once harvested and dried, these become the black peppercorns used in cooking.<\/p>\n

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Pepper Vine<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

I grew one as an annual and it reached about eight feet tall in the first year, but in Zone 12, they can grow up to 15 feet.<\/p>\n

It is even possible to bring them inside and keep as houseplants during the winter if you want.<\/p>\n

You can find black pepper vines in three-gallon containers available at Fast Growing Trees<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

17. Potato Vine<\/h2>\n

Potato vines (Solanum jasminoides<\/em> syn. S. laxum<\/em>) are ornamental evergreens closely related to the potatoes that produce our beloved edible root crops<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The fragrant flowers may be baby blue, pale lavender, or white, and they appear from early summer through the fall.<\/p>\n

If you have a chance, relax near the vine and listen to the blooms humming with pollinators.<\/p>\n

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Potato Vine<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s hardy in Zones 9 to 11, so it can grow year-round and reach lengths of 30 feet or more. As an annual, it can scramble to 15 feet in one season.<\/p>\n

Grab one for your garden in a #5 container from Nature Hills Nursery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

18. Squash<\/h2>\n

Squash vines grow quickly and pull double duty by providing both shade and food.<\/p>\n

While purely ornamental climbers have their place, pumpkins offer the added benefit of a harvest at the end of the season.<\/p>\n

For greenhouse shading, choose cultivars that produce small fruits. Large fruits will likely be too heavy and will require extra separate support.<\/p>\n

Depending on what you\u2019re growing, you might want to start the plants indoors to provide extra time to mature.<\/p>\n

You can find those that mature in just a few months and will grow 20 feet long or more.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Pie-Pita\u2019 Pumpkins<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

If you want to go with a classic choice, small pumpkins are a lot of fun at harvest time.<\/p>\n

\u2018Pie-Pita\u2019 is a standout cultivar developed by Dr. Brent Loy at the University of New Hampshire.<\/p>\n

It produces hull-less fruits weighing two to three pounds at maturity, making it manageable for vertical growing.<\/p>\n

You can find \u2018Pie-Pita\u2019 seeds in a variety of packet sizes available at High Mowing Organic Seeds<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Learn how to grow pumpkins here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

19. Sweet Pea<\/h2>\n

Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus<\/em>) aren\u2019t suited to shading the roof of a tall greenhouse, but they work well along the sides, since most varieties stay under eight feet tall at maturity.<\/p>\n

The colorful annual vines are best known for their intensely fragrant flowers, which are hard to beat if you\u2019ve never grown them before.<\/p>\n

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Royal Family Mix Sweet Peas<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

That said, sweet peas prefer cool conditions, so gardeners in regions with hot summers may want to skip them in favor of more heat-tolerant options.<\/p>\n

You can find mixed colored Royal Family sweet pea seeds available at True Leaf Market<\/a><\/strong> in a variety of packet sizes.<\/p>\n

Check out our guide to growing sweet peas here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Climb to the Top<\/h2>\n

Using vines to shade a greenhouse is a flexible, seasonal way to manage heat and light without permanently altering the structure.<\/p>\n

Fast-growing climbers can soften harsh sun, lower interior temperatures, and, depending on what you choose, provide flowers, fragrance, or food along the way.<\/p>\n

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Which vine will you be growing to shade your greenhouse? Let us know which one is calling your name in the comments section below!<\/p>\n

And for more information about greenhouse gardening<\/a><\/strong>, add these guides to your reading list next:<\/p>\n