I find that I have plants in every room and every space except for my kitchen in my home. This is where I tend to shy away from putting plants because it’s where I prepare and cook food.
Plants can purify the air in the space and give your kitchen a splash of color. A study by the University of Exeter shows that having plants in a space can boost creativity by 45%, so having plants in your kitchen can help when you are trying out a new recipe.
In this guide, we will look at 17 plants that will look great in your kitchen.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a plant that is well known for its healing properties. Its leaves can be used to soothe cuts and burns, and it is a plant that does not need a lot to maintain. It can grow in indirect sunlight and will only need to be watered occasionally, making it an excellent option for a kitchen window ledge. It’s also an ideal plant to keep near your stove in case you get burnt.
English Ivy
This plant is another that thrives in indirect sunlight. It requires an average amount of water to keep the soil moist and well-drained soil. It will grow quickly; in fact, most vines can grow 50 feet in length if adequately trained. This will make an excellent hanging plant in any kitchen in zones four to eight.
Peace Lily
Peace Lilly is a houseplant that does not need a lot of sunlight or water to thrive, but it does need to be planted in soil that drains well because it does not like to sit in water. Typically, the plant is found in zones 11 and above because it prefers warm air to grow.
Aspidistra (Cast Iron Plant)
If you are looking for a simple, low maintenance plant for your kitchen, this is an optimal option. It can grow in any light or soil, but the ground that it’s planted in will need to be relatively moist, so it will need to be watered an average amount. It grows in hardiness zones seven and above.
Pothos
I love the way Pathos looks in a hanging pot over my kitchen table. It is ivy, so it will need to be trained, but it requires very little care. It can easily grow in low light and soil that drains well. It also does not need a lot of water to grow in zones 10 or higher.
Chinese Evergreen
If you have a dark kitchen without many windows, this is a plant to consider. It grows well in low light and does not require much water. It can grow across the country because it can handle most temperatures. It doesn’t deal with drafts well, so make sure there are none nearby when you plant it in your kitchen.
ZZ Plant
ZZ plants are very durable plants that are nearly impossible to kill. They can grow in most light, and even indirect light is ideal. This plant doesn’t need much water and can even survive in dry soil. It can be seen growing in zones four and above as a houseplant, but it will need to grow outdoors in the warmer zones.
Spider Plant
The spider plant is one of the most common houseplants because of how easy it is to grow and take care of. It can grow in hardiness zone eight and above and even farther north if grown inside. Well-drained soil, average water, and indirect sunlight are all the plant needs to grow inside your kitchen.
Heartleaf Philodendron
This perennial looks great growing in a hanging basket, which makes it ideal for a kitchen. It does not require much water or sun to grow, so you can plant it and forget about caring for it for a few weeks. In fact, it actually prefers to grow in relatively dry soil.
Snake plant
A snake plant is an excellent option for purifying the air in your home, so it can remove odors that are left behind from cooking. It can easily hang from any area of your kitchen or be placed on a stand in the space. It does not need a lot of direct sunlight, and it will do well with very little water. The plant does best in the warmer temperatures of zone nine and above.
African violet
To add some color to your kitchen, try planting some African Violets in the space. They like to grow in direct sunlight with moist soil, so if you have a lot of windows in your kitchen, this plant is ideal. Be aware that the plant does not do well with water on its leave, and it is sensitive to too much water.
Succulents
Succulents are plants that vary quite a bit in color; some are green, but others can add a good bit of color to your kitchen. Most succulents are very straightforward to care for because they do not require a lot of water or sunlight. Small succulents are perfect for a window box above the sink.
Fern
I love the frilly look of fern leaves, especially through my home. I found that their low maintenance requirements make a fern ideal for the kitchen, and since they prefer indirect sunlight and moist soil, the plant is perfect for by the sink. Since this plant does well in humidity, the water can provide some additional humidity for the plant.
Rattlesnake Plant
This is another attractive looking plant that can bring some color to your kitchen. It has green spotted leaves that have a purple underside that you will love. It grows well in indirect sunlight and soil with good drainage. The soil needs to be moist but never soggy or dry because the leaves will suffer.
Calathea
The Calathea is a plant that ranges in looks. The leaves can be either round or pointed with a variety of designs on them. I love the look of the pinstripe variety for my kitchen. It does not need a lot of light, and water is required less frequently when the soil is well-draining.
Ponytail Palm
The Ponytail Palm is a plant that is part of the agave family, so it is a succulent that will grow in most conditions. It doesn’t need a lot of water and light, and it can grow to be more than 5 feet indoors. I have found that the kitchen corner near my table is the perfect location for this plant.
Button Fern
This is a smaller fern that does not require a lot of care. It prefers dry growing conditions and does not need a humid environment to grow like other ferns typically do. It can grow in both direct and indirect sunlight, and you will want the temperature to be relatively consistent with the humidity in the space at about 50%.
