Purdue Institute for Plant Sciences opens new, high-tech greenhouses
At Purdue, the Institute for Plant Sciences has built a collaborative network of plant science researchers and constructed facilities with technology to bring them to the forefront of their fields.
One of the final projects funded by Plant Sciences 2.0, one of Purdue’s Next Moves strategic initiatives, were the new set of high-tech greenhouses in the Lilly Life Science Ranges, which was completed in the fall of 2025. The newest 18,654 square feet of greenhouses continue Purdue’s long legacy of putting cutting-edge technology into Boilermakers’ hands.
What new features and technologies distinguish the new Lilly greenhouses?
Deep plant phenotyping through connection to the phenotyping facility
A conveyor belt loop in the new greenhouse range enables researchers to send their plants into the Ag Alumni Seed Phenotyping Facility (AAPF) to use its high-throughput RGB and hyperspectral cameras and X-ray root scanner. Contact Chris Hoagland (choaglan@purdue.edu) to incorporate research with the AAPF.
Controlled temperatures
The new greenhouses are naturally ventilated with automatic shade coverings to block excessive sunlight. They also have air conditioners to efficiently regulate energy balance in each room, allowing plants to be grown in any and all seasons.
LED lights and humidification
State-of-the art LED lights make this greenhouse shine much brighter than its predecessors and allow researchers to change the intensity of light provided to plants. Researchers can also control the humidity using a fog system.
Isolation greenhouses
Two isolation greenhouses allow diseased plants and pests to be kept and researched separately from other plants, reducing the risk of pathogens and insects spreading.Teaching greenhouse
A new teaching greenhouse is available for faculty, lab coordinators and teaching assistants. This room has flexible benching to allow for remote and proximal sensing, changing stations or highlighting plants of interest. Contact John Cavaletto (cavalett@purdue.edu) to use this space.Now open!
The new Lilly greenhouse benches are open to any College of Agriculture researcher. Please reach out to Mike Woodard (woodar15@purdue.edu), Lilly greenhouse manager, to discuss your research and reserve a bench or fill out this survey.
Reserve your spaceIn February, the Institute for Plant Sciences rang in the new year with an open house for faculty, staff and students in the new greenhouses.
Attendees of the Greenhouses After Dark event enjoyed catering and refreshments as they mingled and listened to remarks from Mitch Tuinstra, Yang Yang, Josh Widhalm, Darcy Telenko, Julie Hickman and Mike Woodard.
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