Best Plants To Grow In Your Kitchen

Table of Contents

When you say “kitchen,” the first associations are cooking, appliances, and dishes.
Rarely do you say “kitchen” and think “plants”. But why not “plants for your kitchen”?
This is why we are here – to get you thinking outside the box a bit.

Kitchen plants are a thing, and they can do wonders for your interior. Here are some indoor kitchen plants for you to choose from. We divided them into two sections: herbs and decorative plants.

Herbs for Your Kitchen


herbs as best kitchen plant

By planting growing herbs in your kitchen, you kill two birds with one stone – you give your kitchen a dose of greenery and have your fresh herbs just a pinch away.

Growing herbs in your kitchen is best if you have a window to place the herbs on. Most of them do not like shade and need sunlight to grow. Depending on which ones you would like to grow, pick a south-facing window (for Mediterranean plants such as oregano) or an east/west-facing window (e.g., for parsley).

North-facing windows are too cold for herbs. In this case, or if you do not have any windows in your kitchen, try investing in grow lights. When it comes to choosing the soil, pick a well-draining one. You can put your herbs in small containers and have an adorable indoor garden.

Most of those herbs smell very friendly, and you will have your kitchen scented perfectly at all times, which makes herbs the best plants for the kitchen.

Pick one of these:

  • Parsley– an essential herb in any cuisine, it can be used to make tea as well

  • Oregano – one of the most versatile herbs – from Italian to Central American cuisines

  • Basil – used in Italian-based cuisine, it mixes well with tomato sauce, and fresh goes perfectly with tomato salad.

  • Rosemary – great in making flavored oil, goes well with all kinds of meat

  • Mint – from tea to refreshing summer beverages, lemonades, and even with making cakes, mint does it all

  • Like Parsley, Thyme mixes with almost everything and looks charming- almost like a houseplant.

Decorative Plants for Your Kitchen


And here are some of the best kitchen plants.

Trailing Pothos

pothos as best kitchen plant

Pothos is a plant that does not require much of anything as long as you keep it away from the direct sunlight that might hurt its delicate foliage.

If you have a northern-facing kitchen window, it is a good place for it.

You can also keep it anywhere in the kitchen, even if your kitchen does not have a source of natural light.

Almost all pothos varieties do pretty well, even in very dark areas- they can tolerate low to medium light settings at home.

If you want to hang plants in the kitchen, Pothos is excellent for that since it is a vine, and if you do not prune it, it will cascade down your shelves.

Water it once a week and be careful not to overwater (check the moisture with your finger).

Pothos can look modern in glass containers filled only with water.

Air plant

air plants for best kitchen plant

Tillandsia is a beginner-friendly plant for a sunny kitchen – air plants are one of the most fascinating little plants you can have in your home.

They are sold or placed in a glass ball, a piece of wood, or small pots in string hangers, and they do not require any watering or soil.

This makes them very convenient for a kitchen-you can move them if they get in the way, and they will be perfect for a small kitchen since they do not take up a lot of space.

As for maintenance, you should mist it occasionally or run it underwater occasionally and then let it dry out naturally.

That is all they need to be happy and make your kitchen appear as if it came out of a fantasy story.

To make them happy, place your air plants close to the kitchen window as they require them to grow.

African violet ( Saintpaulia ionantha )

african violet for best kitchen plant

If you are an experienced plant lover and want to give your sunny kitchen a bit more light and color, you can choose African violet as a window kitchen plant.

It would be best to keep it in your window as it likes direct sunlight.

Although this is a low-maintenance and easy-to-grow plant, it requires a more experienced person to handle it since watering it can be tricky – it does not do well with too much or too little water, so you need to pay close attention to its condition daily.

Otherwise, it is a delight to have it in your kitchen as it brightens up space, and as a plus, it is not toxic to either people or pets.

Spider plant

spider plant for best kitchen plant

The spider plant is another good choice to keep plants in the kitchen.

It will brighten any kitchen space as it is adaptable and can thrive in direct sunlight and kitchens with no natural light source.

Besides being easy-going with light, you only need to water it occasionally, so it will not be a burden to care for.

A fascinating look and low maintenance are not the only things that make the spider plant one of the best kitchen plants – Spider plant is a great air purifier, so you will be free of fumes, smells, and even pollutants.

Aloe Vera

alo vera as best kitchen plant

Aloe Vera could be a good choice as one of the kitchen window plants.

It requires a lot of sunlight but can survive less than necessary.

It does not require a lot of watering (it is a cactus, after all), yet the soil you plant it in needs to be well-draining.

Why is Aloe Vera a good kitchen plant?

It is edgy-looking and gives your kitchen an exciting appearance.

Aloe Vera is famous for its healing and soothing properties, and having it at hand in your house to make an Aloe Vera mask or put it in your smoothie is great.

Since it calms down burnt and inflamed skin, why not keep it in the kitchen so you can quickly apply Aloe Vera gel directly to your skin, especially if you burn yourself while cooking?

Cast iron plant

cast ironplant for best kitchen plant

Cast Iron Plant is an exceptional choice for your kitchen for several reasons.

Its adaptability and resilience make it a top-notch plant for this specific environment

This plant is ideal for your kitchen due to its resilience, low light tolerance, air purification properties, low maintenance requirements, and aesthetic charm.

By introducing this remarkable plant to your kitchen, you can enjoy a vibrant, fresh environment while effortlessly elevating the visual appeal of the space.

Chinese Evergreen ( Aglaonema )

chinese evergreen for best kitchen plant

Chinese Evergreen plant is widely regarded as one of the best choices for a kitchen plant, owing to its numerous advantages and suitability for this particular setting. Aglaonema plants are air purifiers that absorb cooking odors, smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Aglaonema is low-maintenance and adapts to low-light conditions like the typical kitchen light settings due to minor or obstructed windows.

Regarding kitchen plants, prioritize safety. Opt for non-toxic Chinese evergreen plants, ensuring a worry-free environment for children and pets. Enjoy its beauty without fear of accidental ingestion, bringing peace of mind to your household.

Incorporating a Chinese Evergreen into your kitchen can enhance the air quality, add visual appeal, and enjoy a touch of nature in this bustling space without extensive care or concerns about safety.

Snake plants

snake plant in a pot

Snake plants have an upright, linear leaf structure that provides a clean, modern look fitting for contemporary kitchens.

With their ability to thrive in low light and tolerate infrequent watering, snake plants can handle the variable conditions of a busy kitchen.

Their minimal care needs make them an ideal low-maintenance plant to add appealing greenery to kitchen spaces.

English Ivy

english ivy

English ivy thrives in the low-light conditions often found in kitchens and easily adapts to the temperature fluctuations from cooking.

The trailing vines and lush green leaves provide pleasing greenery and visual interest without taking up valuable counter space.

English ivy filters airborne fats and other particles and is easy to maintain, making it an ideal low-maintenance addition to give kitchens freshness.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

Plantly Menu