The one room that is often overlooked for indoor plants is your kitchen. Adding houseplants to the kitchen can freshen up the space and provide practical benefits. The right plants can help purify the air and add a splash of colour. However, not all plants thrive in every kitchen, as each space has its own unique light, humidity, and temperature conditions.
These 10 popular houseplants for the kitchen are a great place to start.
1. Money tree (Pachira aquatic)
Also called the Guiana chestnut, the money tree is one of the best kitchen plants for Feng shui. According to ancient practice, this plant will bring good energy, positivity, and good luck into the home.
While most Money Trees have five leaflets per leaf, finding one with seven leaflets is considered an extremely lucky omen
Care Tips:
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
Watering: Water regularly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering.
Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix.
For those who believe in the symbolism of plants, the money tree can serve as a constant reminder of abundance and good fortune, promoting a positive mindset while cooking and dining.
2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. They adapt well to a variety of different light conditions and are considered to be relatively drought-tolerant. Plus, they make excellent hanging plants so there is no need to waste valuable counter space.
Pothos was included in NASA’s Clean Air Study, which found it to be effective at removing pollutants from the air.
Care tips:
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions.
Watering: Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Soil: Use well-draining potting mix.
Pothos plants are excellent choices for the kitchen due to their air-purifying qualities and low-maintenance nature. They are known to remove harmful toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air, which can be released from cooking fumes, cleaning products, and other household items.
3. ZZ Plant (Zanzibar Gem)
The ZZ plant is tough as nails! Their dramatic upright leaves can tolerate even the darkest corners and only need to be watered when the top is dry.
It’s sometimes called the “Zombie Plant” because it can survive extreme neglect. It can go for weeks without water and still bounce back. The ZZ Plant has thick, fleshy stems and leaves that store water, allowing it to thrive in dry conditions
Care tips:
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate low-light conditions.
Watering: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.Overwatering can lead to root rot.
Soil:Use well-draining potting mix.
Like many other houseplants, ZZ plants help to purify the air by removing toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene, which can be released from cooking fumes and cleaning products.
4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The Spider Plant is an old-fashioned plant that can still thrive in the right environment. They look stunning in hanging pots but can look equally beautiful in a statement pot. Spider Plants prefer bright light but manage to adapt to low light as well. Keep this plant anywhere in your kitchen — by the window in the sun, on the countertop, underneath overhead cabinets — and watch it grow with the help of occasional waterings and infrequent pruning.
Spider Plants were one of the plants chosen for NASA’s Clean Air Study, and they’ve even been sent on space missions to help purify the air in space station
Care tips:
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions.
Watering: Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Soil: Use well-draining potting mix
A great natural air purifier, spider plants help remove odor, fumes, and pollutants from the environment.
Also commonly known as “mother-in-law’s tongue,” are among the most popular houseplants, and for good reason. They come in different colors, shapes, and sizes and are generally low-maintenance. There’s no need to take up valuable window space with these tropical plants—they do well in bright to low-light conditions.
Color Varieties: Deep green leaves with gray-green or golden-yellow stripes
Sun Exposure: Bright, warm light but avoid direct sunlight
Soil Needs: Sandy, well-drained potting mix
They are known to remove harmful toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air, which can be released from cooking fumes and cleaning products. Additionally, snake plants are relatively easy to care for, making them suitable for busy households. They thrive in low-light conditions and can tolerate infrequent watering, making them ideal for kitchens that may not receive a lot of natural light
When selecting plants, it’s important to choose varieties that match your lighting conditions and watering habits. Consider adding carnivorous plants to your collection, as they are unique compared to typical houseplants. Their fascinating ability to trap and digest insects is awe-inspiring. Carnivorous plants also spark conversation and add an exotic touch to your living space.
Enjoy the beauty and benefits of having plants in your kitchen
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