Tough new security rules saw Parliament's bureaucrats try to weed out a Green MP's office allotment.

Steffan Browning has been growing cucumbers, beans and tomatoes on the 15th floor of Parliament's Bowen House, for the last couple of years.

But his horticulture almost came to an end because of a row with Parliamentary Service following a security clamp-down in the wake of an attack on Canada's Parliament in October.

The Christchurch based-MP sought permission to use a locked back door to lug in some potting mix for his 40-litre tubs.

"I've had a couple of successful years with these pots last term, and that happened with no problems, no objections. But when they were alerted to it in a more formal way, they came around in a bureaucratic way and we ended up having a meeting," Browning explained.

"They became concerned because they thought I probably shouldn't be doing it."

Browning - the party's primary industries spokesman - says there is no difference between his vege gardens and "an aesthetically pleasing plant in a lift well." After he stood his ground and promised to be more careful, officials have relented.

"I work late and it is really nice to reach up and pick something that is alive and vibrant and organic. I'm happy with the resolution and it made us look more carefully at how we did it," he said. "I may be adding another one to my office, my EA is very keen and I think another MP or two might be as well to have one. "