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The increasing demand for efficiently growing vegetation in greenhouses requires continual improvement of the control of the growth environment experienced by the plants. The single most important factor in maximizing the crop’s growth is the quantity, quality, and geometrical distribution of radiation intercepted at every moment. Few available greenhouse coverings are capable of responding to changes in sunlight conditions by themselves, limiting the grower’s control: they must use additional technologies, including screens, artificial lighting, heating, and cooling. This review considers existing efforts in providing adaptable greenhouse covering systems and advanced optical materials for controlling the color, intensity, and/or distribution of sunlight transmitted into greenhouse‐like structures by describing existing static materials and their responsive equivalents. This work also offers speculation on potential applications of other light‐control elements, mostly designed for use in the urban environment that can be adapted for greenhouse use in the future.

Protected cultivation has rapidly expanded in many regions all over the world, particularly in those with mild winter climatic conditions. In this context, the greenhouse industry is continually developing new strategies and technologies to solve specific cultivation limitations, to reduce any related environmental impact and to adjust to new market requirements. It is for this reason that it is necessary to update the scientific knowledge of this industry. The characteristics of greenhouse production related to new developments in structures and climate control, crops, cultivation techniques, water and nutrient management and environmental issues, including life cycle assessment and integrated pest management, are the objective of this study. Overall, the main results of this review demonstrate that a great effort of innovation and research has been carried out by industry and researchers in order to cut production costs and to reduce the environmental impact of the most advanced greenhouse technologies while satisfying the requirements of consumers.

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