Houseplants are a great way to add a pop of color to your kitchen and bring the outdoors inside. But not all houseplants are made to thrive in this favorite space.
Kitchens tend to have high humidity, fluctuating temperatures, or poor natural light conditions, all of which can affect plant growth. This is especially the case if you are always cooking at full capacity and there is a lot of steam in the air. What’s more, high humidity levels can prevent moisture from evaporating properly, causing plant roots to rot, which could cause them to wither or die.
Before reaching the stage of save a dying plant before it’s too late, there are certain types of plants better suited to survive in such difficult conditions. Similar to these 7 plants that will thrive in your bathroom, These are types that often originate in tropical climates or humid forests, where water is abundant and skies are cloudy or dimly lit.
So if you want to decorate your space with plants, be sure to opt for one of these best plants that will thrive in your kitchen.
1. Snake Plant
Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata), also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue,” are a popular houseplant for kitchens and generally low maintenance. They only need watering every two weeks, but are hardy enough to go weeks without watering.
What’s more, snake plants are known for removing excess moisture from the air and harmful airborne chemicals, making them ideal for high humidity in kitchens. In fact, snake plants can help reduce mold in your homeand they are one of the few plants that continue to produce oxygen in low light conditions.
Snake plants are also drought tolerant and thrive well in bright light and warm temperatures; just avoid direct sunlight.
2. Aloe Vera
It’s relatively easy care for aloe plants, and are known to thrive in humid and sunlight conditions. With its distinct leaves, aloe vera is hardy and needs very little water, making it the ideal plant for the kitchen.
Like most houseplants, aloe vera grows well at normal room temperatures, but does not tolerate extreme temperatures. Be sure to keep them away from open doors and windows to protect them from cold drafts. Although its leaves can grow abundantly, avoid pruning your aloe plants too much and only do so if the leaves are wrinkled and dead.
3. Succulents
Not only can succulents be eye-catching features for any kitchen, but they can also handle tough conditions. These hardy houseplants can thrive in bright, indirect sunlight and require very little watering.
Additionally, succulents will naturally need more water in the summer, so watering in the summer once a week is a good practice, while the colder months will require as little as once a month. Succulents are generally easy to care for, just be sure to use pots with drainage holes to prevent excess water, and you can reuse the excess tray on other succulents.
If you’re starting a succulent garden in your kitchen, check out our guide on how to care for succulentsand how to transplant succulents. Just be careful with these 7 mistakes to avoid when growing succulents.
4. Herbs
If you have always wanted grow fresh herbs indoors, you will be happy to know that the kitchen is the ideal place for them. Firstly, you will need to research/choose the best herbs, as not all herbs are low maintenance or give the same results. It’s best to start with just a few types: basil, chives, parsley, oregano, rosemary, and thyme are known to be the easiest herbs to grow indoors.
Herbs generally thrive in plenty of sunlight and temperatures of at least 65 to 75°F, so they would do well if you placed them on a sunny, south-facing windowsill. Additionally, herbs only need watering once or twice a week, although this depends on the variety, or during warmer temperatures when it requires more.
Best of all, you can conveniently grab herbs from your windowsill and use them directly in those delicious dishes all year round.
5. Spider plant
Spider plants tend to thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, so it is best to place them in or near a sunny kitchen window.
These calm houseplants are very adaptable, easy to grow and are also a shade loving plant, surviving in low light conditions. Please note that the growth will not be as lush as when they are in the sun. Spider plants typically need watering or misting only once a week, but always check the soil moisture level with a finger beforehand. If the soil feels wet, postpone watering for a day or two.
For more important care tips, be sure to read our guide at how to care for spider plants
6. Pothos
With their vines and large, shiny leaves, Pothos plants can be an attractive addition to any kitchen. This is especially the case once the vines grow larger and you can manually wrap them around a support or guide them across a wall.
These houseplants absorb water easily, making them ideal for kitchens with high humidity. They are generally low-maintenance and tend to thrive in direct sunlight, but they also adapt well to indirect light.
7. ZZ Plant
With its tall, shiny, thin leaves and distinctive zigzag edges, the ZZ plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia) looks great on any kitchen window sill. Known to be drought tolerant and will happily thrive in shady places or indirect light, this makes it ideal for kitchens with a lack of windows or little light.
What’s more, you only need to water the hardy ZZ plant every 2 to 3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. However, increase water in brighter light and less frequently in low light to help it thrive. Furthermore, you do not need to regulate transplantwhich is convenient and low maintenance.
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