10 Houseplants That Will Thrive in Your Kitchen

Adding houseplants to your kitchen can refresh the space and offer practical benefits. The right plant can purify the air, add a touch of color, or even provide fresh produce year-round.

Keep in mind that not all plants will thrive in every kitchen since each has its unique light, humidity, and temperature conditions. But here are 10 popular houseplants that are well-suited for the kitchen.

Warning

Some of the houseplants listed below may be toxic to humans or pets, as noted.

Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are some of the easiest houseplants to care for. They adapt well to various light conditions and are fairly drought-tolerant. They also make excellent hanging plants, freeing up valuable counter space. Please note, pothos are toxic to humans and pets.

• Color Varieties: Green to marbled yellow foliage
• Sun Exposure: Bright light to partial shade
• Soil Needs: General potting mix rich in peat moss

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Philodendron

Philodendron (Philodendron spp.) is another low-maintenance houseplant that looks great in hanging baskets. They are relatively drought-tolerant and can thrive in bright to medium indirect light. Known for their air-purifying capabilities, these plants come in various shapes and colors. However, they are toxic to humans and pets.

• Color Varieties: Dark-green foliage; some cultivars have variegated leaves
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Needs: Regular potting mix

Herbs

Growing herbs in the kitchen is an excellent choice since there's nothing better than cooking with fresh, home-grown herbs year-round. If your kitchen receives bright, direct sunlight most of the day, herbs will grow easily. You can also use grow lights to help. Easy herb varieties for indoor growing include chives, parsley, mint, thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, and cilantro.

• Color Varieties: Green
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light, depending on the herb
• Soil Needs: High-quality organic potting mix

Succulents

If you have a sunny windowsill in your kitchen, succulents are a fantastic option. Succulents store water in their leaves and/or stems, making them drought-resistant and low-maintenance. There are hundreds of succulent types in various shapes, colors, and sizes. Popular species include echeveria, haworthia, aloe vera, crassula, kalanchoe, and sedum. Note that kalanchoe and euphorbia succulents can be toxic to humans and pets.

• Color Varieties: Soft greens, pinks, purples, blues, blue-grays, deep purple, nearly black; some show green and pink variegations or grow reddish tips or margins
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light, depending on the succulent
• Soil Needs: Succulent or cacti potting mix

Spider Plant

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are among the easiest houseplants to care for. They make excellent hanging plants and will flower and produce offshoots prolifically when they're happy. Avoid placing spider plants in direct sunlight, as it can burn the leaves.

• Color Varieties: Green foliage, sometimes striped with white
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil Needs: Loose, well-draining potting mix

Snake Plant

Snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata, previously Sansevieria trifasciata), also known as "mother-in-law's tongue," are popular houseplants for a reason. They come in various colors, shapes, and sizes and are generally low-maintenance. These plants do well in bright to low-light conditions. Snake plants are toxic to pets.

• 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

Rubber Tree

If you're looking for a large statement plant for your kitchen, rubber trees (Ficus elastica) are a great choice. These relatives of the fiddle leaf fig can adapt to many conditions and grow into full-sized trees in their native habitat. Indoors, regular pruning keeps their size manageable. Several rubber tree varieties offer colors to match your kitchen's design. They are toxic to pets.

• Color Varieties: Emerald to dark green; variegated green, pink, gray, yellow, and white
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Needs: Fast-draining potting soil with perlite and peat moss or coconut coir

Coffee Plant

Whether you're a coffee lover or not, the coffee plant (Coffea arabica) makes a great addition to any kitchen. Although you might not be able to harvest coffee beans from an indoor plant, its glossy leaves and compact growth make it appealing. Coffee plants require bright, indirect light and frequent watering to thrive. Note that the coffee plant differs from the pet-toxic coffee tree (Polyscias guilfoylei).

• Color Varieties: Dark green with small white blooms and red berries
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Needs: Peat-based potting soil, well-draining

ZZ Plant

For a low-maintenance addition to your kitchen, consider the ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), also known as the "zanzibar gem." These houseplants are extremely adaptable and thrive in low-light and bright-light conditions. Growing from rhizomes, they require minimal watering. The ZZ plant is toxic to humans and pets.

• Color Varieties: Green, variegated white and yellow, dark purple-maroon foliage
• Sun Exposure: Partial
• Soil Needs: Standard, well-draining potting mix; add perlite or sand for better drainage

African Violet

If you love having flowers in your kitchen, African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are a perfect choice! A happy African violet will flower nearly year-round, offering several beautiful colors. These compact houseplants prefer bright, indirect light and frequent watering.

• Color Varieties: Thousands of cultivars available; flowers can be pink, blue, purple, or white, with picotee or stippling
• Sun Exposure: Indirect light
• Soil Needs: Well-draining, soilless mix

FAQ

What is the best houseplant to put in a kitchen?

The best houseplants for a kitchen are those that can thrive in the environment of your space. Kitchens can be humid or dry at different times. Some succulents (like aloe vera and snake plants) and herbs are ideal for kitchens.

Can I put plants in my kitchen?

Yes, you can put plants in your kitchen, but it's important to match the right plant to your kitchen's conditions. Some plants need more light than others; consider using grow lights if your kitchen lacks natural light.

Is it good feng shui to have houseplants in the kitchen?

In feng shui, having a few houseplants in the kitchen is acceptable. However, according to feng shui principles, plants represent wood, and wood feeds fire. Too many plants can "feed the fire," creating an imbalance, so keep the number of plants to a minimum.