Best Plants for the Kitchen – Keep it Green!

Liven Up Your Cooking Space With Our Best Plants for the Kitchen

Our best plants for the kitchen list might surprise many people. In fact, the kitchen often lacks any living greenery. But these plants may convince you to step out from the sterile kitchen look and create a green space that calls you in to cook even more.

Keeping plants in the kitchen makes sense in several ways. Some plants, like culinary herbs, find their way into your favorite dishes. Others such as the valued aloe plant stand aside until needed to soothe a burn or cut. Of course, some plants simply provide a needed decorative style to your cooking space.

Why do we seem to forget bringing these living wonders into the kitchen? It doesn’t seem logical, when you think about it. In the kitchen, our plants live close to the sink, making watering easier. Many kitchens have ample sunlight to keep the greenery healthy and happy. And because the kitchen is so central to our everyday lives, you will notice when they need a drink or even a little trim. When you think about it, the kitchen may be the perfect place to keep plants.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera plants possess a comforting appeal in appearance, as well as purpose. The long, green leaves host spiked edges. Inside, a gooey gel awaits.

Aloe vera plants offer some health benefits when eaten or included in beverages. Add them to your smoothies or other drinks. Read here to see how to prepare your aloe for eating or drinking.

However, the aloe vera plant’s best-known purpose remains that of comforting and healing. Used for many generations as a medicinal gel, the inside of the aloe leaf provides soothing relief to burns and cuts.

Studies prove that aloe vera gel does heal wounds and also increases the flexibility and strength of the skin. It also relieves sunburn and minor burns and scrapes that happen outside the kitchen.

Aloe vera is an easy-to-keep plant that needs well-drained soil and infrequent to moderate watering, depending on the humidity level of the air. It shows a strong preference for warmer air, which makes the kitchen ideal.

 

Herbs

Most herbs kept in the kitchen are small to medium-sized plants that find their way into cooking and baking. Some flavor our tea or smoothies, too.

Consider keeping some popular plants like basil, mint, oregano, thyme, sage, cilantro, rosemary, and parsley. Most of the culinary herbs do well on your windowsill or shelf with indirect lighting. They require moderate watering and a bit of trimming if you have not needed their flavorings frequently.

Because they are usually kept in small pots or decorative mini gardens. Hanging planters work well, too. Keeping them nearby ensures you can use them when needed.

 

 

Spider plant

While not edible, the spider plant provides another great purpose in your home- it helps clean the air of toxins. The long green leaves carry a white stripe down the middle. However, the Reverse Varigated variety sports white edges with a green stripe in the mid-section of each. They grow in bunches of blade-shaped leaves. Interestingly, they propagate by spawning baby spider plants off the runners.

Spider plants thrive in higher humidity with plenty of indirect sunlight. Keeping your spider plant in the kitchen makes it easier to keep it misted and watered.

These plants, while not edible, are not toxic to your pets or people. So if kitty happens to nibble on one, she will not be harmed.

 

African violet

Colorful flowers amidst round, fuzzy green leaves make the African Violet plant quite attractive in any room. The small blooms of purple, blue, pink, or white bring a splash of color to your kitchen.

These plants love plenty of light and while they need moderate watering, they are sensitive to too much or too little. Water before they dry completely but ensure the pot allows proper draining.

 

 

The African Violet is another plant that is non-toxic. While most pets don’t bother them, if they do, they will not be harmed. Keep them on a shelf or window sill and enjoy their beauty year-round.

 

 

Air plant

As the name implies, the air plant literally grows in the air. It’s true, no soil or pot needed for this little plant. It sports tufts of green pointed leaves.

In the kitchen, air plants gracefully perch from interesting hangers or happily rest on rocks on your counter or sill. You may find them the easiest plant to care for. Provide good lighting and mist often with water. Occasionally, dunk them completely in water to keep them happiest.

 

 

 

Pothos

Need a plant for a lower-light kitchen? The Pothos might solve your need. These plants prefer less light and need only occasional watering. They are truly easy-to-care-for plants.

But while they need little care, they provide great beauty. The long, green vines host gorgeous heart-shaped leaves. On a shelf or in a hanging basket, the Pothos makes a nice addition to any room, including your kitchen.

 

 

Peace lily

Like the Spider Plant, the Peace Lily is known to be quite good at purifying the air. And like the Pothos, they prefer a lower lighting area.

But while they beautify your home with white flowers amidst shiny green leaves, these elegant plants are not pet-friendly. In fact, they are quite toxic. For safest care, place them away from curious pets and small children.

 

Rubber plant

Choose a corner of your kitchen across from a sunny window for the Rubber Plant as they need bright, but indirect light. Provide a soil that drains well and is well-aerated. Given those easy instructions, the Rubber Plant keeps happy with minimal care.

Of course, the Rubber Plant provides a focal showpiece in any room And your kitchen is no exception. The thin, upright trunk sports shiny, dark green leaves. However, be sure to keep the leaves dusted on a regular basis to enjoy their shiny beauty.

Snake plant

You might prefer the other names for the Snake Plant. These include I Saint George’s sword, mother-in-law’s tongue, and viper’s bowstring hemp, among other names. By any name, these succulent plants grow tall. However, they don’t spread wide, making them ideal for counter spaces.

These lower maintenance plants need only indirect light and a pot that provides good drainage. Avoid over-watering. In fact, they tolerate drier soil quite well.

In truth, the Snake Plant shows as less than glamorous. However, what it lacks in striking beauty, it makes up for. Truthfully, this plant is a workhorse at purifying the air. In fact, it’s known to be among the best air cleaners among houseplants.

Fern

While you will find a variety of Fern Plants that may grace your home, the most popular is the Boston Fern. Most people easily recognize this gorgeous plant with frilly leaves gracefully embellishing bushy fronds. While they may be grown in a container on your counter, the larger Ferns show best in a hanging basket.

These plants love humidity and lots of it. Keep them moist and provide indirect light. For those with the room, consider keeping them over your sink where you can provide a daily misting with ease.

 

Cacti

On the other end of the humidity spectrum, Cacti need a dry environment and prefer plenty of light. These plants need very little maintenance and provide an interesting feature in your kitchen or other room.

Many varieties exist and they vary in size, shape, and coloration. Some flower. But all prefer a more desert-like environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With so many choices available, we believe you will find the perfect combination of houseplants among these best plants for your kitchen.

Comment below on your favorites! Of course, we welcome your plant pictures, too!

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