Best Plants for Kitchen: 11 Easy and beautiful plants to grow

The best plants for kitchen spaces are always the ones that are most useful while being decorative and easy to care for.

I always though the kitchen was a place for cooking, organizing and keeping my counters from looking cluttered. It never occurred to me that keeping plants in the kitchen could make it look so much more warmer and cozier. Once I got into gardening, I looked at my kitchen in a totally different way. I would look at empty spaces on shelves and windowsills and imagine what plant could fit in there.

If you have been wondering what the best plants for kitchen spaces are, here is a list of plants I would personally choose – whether its decorative, low maintenance or useful.

Read Also: Plants That Are Hard to Kill: 6 Nearly Indestructible Houseplants

Basil

I love having plants that are beautiful and useful and basil checks both boxes.

Basil is a great plant you can have on a bright kitchen windowsill as it thrives on sunlight. The bright bushy green leaves give the kitchen a fresh look and having basil in your kitchen is extremely convenient while cooking Italian.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is one of those plants that thrives on minimal care. You don’t need to be an expert gardener to grow aloe vera. I consider it one of those “hard to kill” plants.

I love having aloe vera in my home because of its incredible benefits. Its thick leaves give the plant a unique shape and they can be very forgiving when you forget to water them occasionally as they prefer to dry out between waterings.

Mint

I love adding mint in my drinks and garnishes which makes it a great plant to have in a kitchen. This plant enjoys bright light and is best grown in its own container.

Mint is surprisingly easy to grow and can go multiply very quickly. Make sure to prune them often as the more you trim their leaves, the faster they grow.

Pothos

When I want something that looks beautiful but doesn’t require a lot of care, pothos or money plant is one of my favorite plants. You can style your money plant in a variety of ways like allow its vines to trail down a shelf or it can even be grown in water.

Brighter indirect light is usually better for healthy growth, as pothos can withstand lower light levels than many other houseplants.

Spider Plant

Another excellent option if you’re looking for something simple are spider plants. Their long, arching leaves add movement without taking up much room.

They look particularly lovely in a hanging planter or on a shelf. If you are still a new gardener, spider plant is a great choice.

English Ivy

English ivy can look lovely in a kitchen with open shelving. Allowing the vines to gently trail over a shelf’s edge is an idea I always prefer. Without taking up important counter space, it adds softness and height.

Just be advised that if children or pets can get to it, English ivy is not the best option because it is toxic if consumed.

Peace Lily

It isn’t necessary for every kitchen plant to be edible. Sometimes all you want is something lovely. A peace lily is a great choice. Its white flowers and dark green leaves can make a kitchen look more sophisticated.

If you have a slightly larger space available and want a plant that stands out more, I would go with this one. Evenly moist soil and bright, indirect light are ideal for peace lilies.

Chives

Chives are a great option if you don’t have much room. They don’t need a large container and are practical and small.

Anytime you’re preparing eggs, salads, soups, potatoes, or dips, you can cut back a bit and they will grow back. These tiny herbs are ideal for those who wish to begin gardening without committing to a sizable plant collection.

Lemon Balm

One of the plants I would pick if I wanted something a little different is lemon balm. You can use the leaves in teas and other beverages, and they smell deliciously of lemons. This plant is great for absorbing kitchen food smells.

It’s another herb that spreads quickly, so growing it in its own pot is highly recommended.

Rosemary

Another plant I really love is rosemary, which adds fragrance in addition to greenery. The fresh herbal aroma of a rosemary plant is very soothing.

Rosemary loves lots of sunlight, so I would store it in the kitchen’s brightest area.

This is unquestionably one of the best plants for kitchen windowsills if you have a sunny windowsill.

ZZ Plant

Another option I would think about for a kitchen where you want something visually appealing but low-maintenance is the ZZ plant.

Its glossy leaves complement contemporary kitchen cabinets especially well. Additionally, it doesn’t require frequent watering and can tolerate lower light levels.

This might be a plant to think about if you occasionally forget to water it.

Decorating a Kitchen with plants

don’t believe a plant is necessary on every available surface. In fact, a kitchen may appear more cluttered as a result. Rather, I would pick a few key locations.

• A bright sunny windowsill
• An empty corner
• An empty shelf
• A small counter corner

The best plants for kitchens are those that complement your way of life. Start with herbs if you enjoy cooking.

Pick a plant that is forgiving, such as aloe vera, pothos, or a ZZ plant, if you have a tendency to forget to water.

If decorating is your main goal, pick a plant that fits the available space. I didn’t intend to create a picture-perfect indoor garden when I added plants to my kitchen.

It was just about adding a bit more greenery to a space I spend a lot of time in.