Planting in the Kitchen
You might be thinking of some updates to your home decor as well as spending more time there. You can use plants both for attractive interior design elements and for healthy air filtration in your kitchen. Whether you’re an experienced plant parent or new to the world of potted plants, you can add some greenery to your kitchen and dining area.
Every home is different when it comes to indoor plants. The types of plants you can have in your kitchen will depend on how much sunlight they get, how easily they can be taken care of, and how much space you have. A little greenery, such as full-size palms and potted herbs, as well as hanging baskets and air plants, can go a long way to improve the ambience of your home.
What to Consider When Buying Kitchen Plants
My own passion for indoor plants has led me to collect several plants, so I’m definitely familiar with the element of trial and error in plant parenting. It takes some testing to determine what plants work in what areas, and depending on how much airflow, sunlight, and humidity your place has, you may need to water more frequently than recommended. Given that I have two curious cats, I’m not in the market for an indoor herb garden, but some species of plants can be poisonous if they are consumed. Make sure your plants are not poisonous to furry friends if you have them.
You may want to think about adding a little greenery to your space. Take a look around and write down where you want to add it. Maybe you should place a few succulents on the window sill, or a large palm for a corner of your kitchen that gets plenty of light, or a chilli-resistant ZZ plant on the counter that can take heat and humidity. Some plants are forgiving when it comes to watering, while others are finicky and need regular attention. Every individual has a preferred level of sunlight, ranging from low light to full sun. There are many plants that have air-purifying properties, so as an added bonus, choose those that will help to keep the air in high-traffic kitchen spaces and busy city apartments clean.
The Best Indoor Plants for Your Kitchen
Philodendron
The heart-shaped leaves of this fast-growing plant create a beautiful waterfall of green on your countertop. With medium indirect light, but can also handle the low indirect light, this plant takes very little water and only requires watering once or twice per month. Formaldehyde, which is commonly emitted by gas stoves, is also removed from the air by this plant.
Pothos
Besides being a great beginner plant, a pothos is also low-maintenance (i.e. it often grows near the ground) and can tolerate indirect light of varying intensities. Depending on the amount of sunlight and amount of dryness, it should be watered every one to two weeks. It can be propagated in water easily, so you can share the greenery with your friends. Formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene (common pollutants found in densely populated cities) are removed from the air by this amazing plant.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle leaf figs can fit into practically any space, so it’s a good idea to get this plant. It prefers indirect light, particularly bright light, and flocks wherever the sun is positioned. Keep it moist every week to two weeks, and watch it shoot up leaf by leaf. The one we have came at a height of about three feet and after just two years is well over six feet in height.
ZZ Plant
Plants like this are tried and true troopers when it comes to indoor plants. Despite the move from indirect light to low light to bright direct sunlight in three New York apartments, my own ZZ plant has maintained its health. Despite its waxy, thick leaves, it rarely shrivels or discolors, and it only needs water every three to four weeks. In addition to filtering formaldehyde out of the air, it can grow into a full-grown tree from even a small stem.
Aglaonema
There are red and green varieties of the plant sometimes known as the Chinese evergreen. It loves bright or direct sunlight but can also handle low light (we have one that does very well in a lower light corner). They require water only every one to two weeks, are very easy to care for, and are very easy to grow.
Calathea
Calatheas have some of the most varied and beautiful indoor plants. Their leaves can be round or snake-like, and they have numerous variegated patterns, such as pinstripes, rattlesnakes, and beauty stars. The plants are renowned for being low-maintenance and pet-friendly, and require low to medium light.
Prayer Plant
The Maranta Red Prayer Plant is another pet-friendly plant that requires little light. Its leaves almost seem to be painted. Its leaves require a little misting from time to time and are what give it its name as they fold up at night.
Snake Plant
This cool potted snake plant is notoriously easy to maintain, and it is an air purifier that filters out pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. It prefers indirect light of all types, and water only needs to be applied every three to four weeks.
Spider Plant
The spider plant gets its name from its long leaves. This plant is known to be nearly impossible to kill, as it requires only low- or medium-lighting. It is pet-friendly, acts as an air purifier, and grows quickly. Hanging baskets are perfect for these plants.
Monstera
With its signature gaping leaves, the monstera is also known as the Swiss cheese plant since it’s often featured in plant prints. You should keep this plant out of direct sunlight if possible, water it every one to two weeks, and keep a tropical vibe in your kitchen and dining area.
Anthurium
The plant stands out for its pretty pink “flowers,” which are actually leaves with bright colors. In order to remain happy all year round, the plant needs bright indirect light. If any leaves die, keep pruning them to ensure that the plant grows and flowers.
Aloe Vera
Providing you don’t place them directly underneath the A/C vent, aloes are easy to maintain. These plants thrive in full sun and don’t need much water, so they’re a great low-maintenance choice.
Money Tree
The money tree (also known as water chestnut) we have has survived dryness, an apartment move, and a playful kitten snapping off a huge branch. A funky braided trunk is a fun element, and it grows plenty of leaves every year. In fact, we bought a new mini one as a companion since they are also pet-friendly. It is best to water the soil every one to two weeks when it has dried out.
Cactus
Cactus are perfect for windowsills or brightly lit areas and are the most affordable way to keep greenery alive. They don’t require regular watering, so they are the easiest element of live greenery to maintain. Consider a prickly pear plant that will create an abstract look, or opt for the traditional barrel plant. The thorns tend to deter pets, but they are generally not bothered by them.
Birds’ Nest Fern
With its lush, bright green morph and rippling texture, ferns add a touch of tropical appeal to even the brightest spaces. A bright light and a high level of humidity are best, and water should be applied only once a week.
Palms
Some palms work well in kitchen spaces, and there are many varieties available. It is a pet-friendly treasure to have a ponytail palm. Even though it isn’t actually a palm, it’s close enough. This plant is best suited to brightly-lit areas and needs to be watered every two to three weeks. The parlor palm is a bushier type of true palm, and needs indirect light and a weekly watering.