Cloche vs. Greenhouse — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
A cloche covers small plants or seedlings individually, offering direct protection and climate control, while a greenhouse encloses a larger space, enabling extensive plant cultivation.
Difference Between Cloche and Greenhouse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cloche is a small, portable cover typically used to protect individual plants or seedlings from cold weather and pests, making it ideal for small-scale gardening. On the other hand, a greenhouse is a larger structure designed to house multiple plants or even rows of crops, providing a controlled environment that can be used year-round.
Cloches are often made of glass or plastic and are placed directly over plants, creating a microclimate that can enhance growth by trapping heat and moisture. Whereas, greenhouses are built with materials like glass or polycarbonate panels and include systems for heating, cooling, and ventilation, supporting a wide variety of plants under different climatic conditions.
The primary function of a cloche is to extend the growing season of outdoor plants by protecting them from the chill of early spring or late fall. In contrast, greenhouses allow for the cultivation of plants that would not normally survive in the local climate, thereby broadening the scope of what can be grown.
Due to their size and simplicity, cloches are more affordable and easier to install than greenhouses, which require more significant investment in terms of both money and space. Greenhouses, however, offer greater versatility and efficiency for serious gardeners or commercial operations.
Maintenance of a cloche involves simple cleaning and occasional moving to accommodate growing plants or changing weather conditions. Greenhouses, however, demand regular maintenance of their structures, climate control systems, and must be managed to prevent issues like mold and pests due to the larger and more complex environment.
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Comparison Chart
Scale of use
Small-scale, individual plants
Large-scale, multiple plants
Material
Typically glass or plastic
Glass, plastic, or polycarbonate
Climate control
Basic, manual adjustment
Advanced, often automated
Cost
Lower, suitable for home use
Higher, often for commercial use
Maintenance needs
Minimal, mostly cleaning
Extensive, including climate systems
Compare with Definitions
Cloche
A dome-shaped cover that can be easily moved to suit different plants' needs.
The gardener moved the cloche from the cucumber to the squash as the weather warmed.
Greenhouse
A structure with walls and a roof made primarily of transparent material, used for growing plants.
The new greenhouse allowed them to grow tropical plants in a temperate zone.
Cloche
A small, bell-shaped cover made of glass or plastic designed to protect individual plants.
She placed a cloche over her newly planted herbs to shield them from the frost.
Greenhouse
A building providing a controlled environment for growing a variety of plants throughout the year.
Their greenhouse is equipped with an advanced irrigation and heating system.
Cloche
A temporary protection method for plants, especially useful in fluctuating climates.
The cloche proved essential in protecting the young plants from the sudden hailstorm.
Greenhouse
Used for cultivating plants that require specific climatic conditions.
The orchids thrived in the humid environment of the greenhouse.
Cloche
A tool used in gardening to create a microclimate for early or delicate plants.
By using a cloche, gardeners can start their planting season several weeks earlier.
Greenhouse
A garden feature that can extend the growing season into colder months.
Thanks to their greenhouse, they enjoyed fresh vegetables well into winter.
Cloche
A portable protective cover for seedlings against cold and pests.
He used a plastic cloche to ensure his tomato seedlings survived the unpredictable spring weather.
Greenhouse
A large-scale facility that can support both experimental and commercial plant growth.
The research greenhouse housed plants used in genetic modification studies.
Cloche
A close-fitting hat with a bell-like shape.
Greenhouse
A greenhouse (also called a glasshouse, or, if with sufficient heating, a hothouse) is a structure with walls and roof made chiefly of transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown. These structures range in size from small sheds to industrial-sized buildings.
Cloche
A usually bell-shaped cover used to protect plants from frost.
Greenhouse
A glass building in which plants that need protection from cold weather are grown.
Cloche
A bell-shaped cover used when serving food.
Greenhouse
A structure, primarily of glass or sheets of clear plastic, in which temperature and humidity can be controlled for the cultivation or protection of plants.
Cloche
A glass covering, originally bell-shaped, for garden plants to prevent frost damage and promote early growth.
Greenhouse
(Slang) A clear plastic bubble or shell covering part of an aircraft.
Cloche
A bell-shaped, close-fitting women’s hat with a deep rounded crown and narrow rim.
Cloche hat
Greenhouse
A building used to grow plants, particularly one with large glass windows or plastic sheeting to trap heat from sunlight even in intemperate seasons or climates.
Cloche
A tableware cover, often resembling a bell.
Greenhouse
The glass of a plane's cockpit.
Cloche
An apparatus used in controlling certain aeroplanes, consisting principally of a steering column mounted with a universal joint at the base, which is bell-shaped and has attached to it the cables for controlling the wing-warping devices, elevator planes, etc.
Greenhouse
(medicine) A structure that shields the operating table to protect against bacteria.
Cloche
An apparatus used in controlling certain kinds of aëroplanes, and consisting principally of a steering column mounted with a universal joint at the base, which is bellshaped and has attached to it the cables for controlling the wing-warping devices, elevator planes, and the like.
Greenhouse
(climatology) A hot state in global climate.
Cloche
A woman's close-fitting helmetlike hat.
Greenhouse
(transitive) To place (plants) in a greenhouse.
Cloche
A low transparent cover put over young plants to protect them from cold.
Greenhouse
To nurture in order to promote growth.
Cloche
A low transparent cover put over young plants to protect them from cold
Greenhouse
A house in which tender plants are cultivated and sheltered from the weather.
Cloche
A woman's close-fitting helmet-like hat
Greenhouse
A building with glass walls and roof; for the cultivation and exhibition of plants under controlled conditions
Greenhouse
Of or relating to or caused by the greenhouse effect;
Greehouse gases
Common Curiosities
Can you grow any plant in a cloche?
Cloches are best suited for small plants or seedlings; larger plants may require more space like a greenhouse.
Is a greenhouse more expensive than a cloche?
Yes, greenhouses typically involve higher initial costs and maintenance expenses compared to cloches due to their size and complexity.
What is a cloche used for in gardening?
A cloche is used to protect individual plants from cold, pests, and harsh weather, extending the growing season.
Can a cloche be used throughout the year?
While cloches can be used year-round, they are primarily effective during transitional weather periods in spring and fall to protect from mild frost and cool temperatures.
How does a greenhouse differ from a cloche in terms of use?
A greenhouse can accommodate a wide range of plants and conditions, providing a more permanent solution for year-round cultivation.
Are greenhouses suitable for home gardeners?
Greenhouses can be adapted to home gardening, ranging from small, lean-to structures to larger freestanding units, depending on the gardener's space and budget.
What type of plants are best suited for a greenhouse?
Greenhouses are ideal for plants that require controlled climate conditions, including tropical plants, vegetables, and flowers that are not native to the local climate.
How do cloches and greenhouses impact the growth rate of plants?
Both cloches and greenhouses can accelerate plant growth by providing warmer temperatures and protecting against adverse weather, but greenhouses offer more precise control over conditions, potentially leading to better growth outcomes.
Can cloches and greenhouses protect plants from pests?
Yes, both cloches and greenhouses offer protection against pests, but greenhouses provide more comprehensive protection due to their enclosed structure.
What are the environmental impacts of using a cloche versus a greenhouse?
Both have environmental impacts in terms of resource use (like plastic or glass), but greenhouses, due to their size and the need for energy to heat or cool, generally have a larger footprint unless sustainable practices and technologies are used.
How do you ventilate a cloche and a greenhouse?
Cloches are ventilated manually by lifting or removing them, while greenhouses often have built-in ventilation systems like windows, vents, or fans.
Can I build a greenhouse or a cloche by myself?
It is feasible to build either a cloche or a greenhouse DIY-style. Cloches can be made simply with upcycled materials like plastic bottles, while greenhouses might require more planning and resources but can still be a DIY project.
How durable are cloches compared to greenhouses?
Cloches are generally less durable than greenhouses as they are lighter and more susceptible to damage from wind or physical impact, whereas greenhouses are designed to be more robust and permanent.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
