Top 10 Houseplants For The Kitchen - Growing Plants In The Kitchen

What brightens up the kitchen better than shiny green plants? They add a punch of “wow” to an otherwise utilitarian space. Many plants also breathe life into your kitchen by purifying the air. Kitchen moisture provides much needed humidity to the plants, and if the light is bright and sunny, plants in the kitchen will thrive. 

Whether you prefer culinary, medicinal, or ornamental plants, below are the 10 best kitchen houseplants to try.

10 Best Kitchen Houseplants: Houseplants for Kitchen Counter and More

1. Air plant – Tillandsia is an easy-care plant if you can remember to mist it occasionally. Air plants don’t need soil and are often attached to wood or placed in decorative glass. Attach it anywhere in your kitchen you have bright light for some extra oomph. 
2. Aloe Vera – Aloe vera has long been a household first-aid remedy for burns. And kitchen stoves are often the culprit. Aloe’s long, spikey, succulent leaves contain a gel that can be applied to the burn for instant, cooling relief. Aloes don’t need much water, but give them bright light. 
3. Aluminum plant – The green and silver leaves will make a striking accent in any kitchen. Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei), often grown in a hanging basket, needs moderate light in the summer but a brighter spot in the winter such as near a south-facing window. Water as soon as the soil is dry. Avoid any hot or cold drafts. 
4. Cast-iron Plant – Everyone should have a cast-iron plant because, as its name suggests, it is one tough cookie. It can withstand low light, infrequent watering, and heat fluctuations. The elongated, green leaves of cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) can be solid or with spots of variegation.
5. Herbs – If you like fresh herbs to cook with, why not keep some handy on the kitchen counter or windowsill? Consider basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, and sage. Most herbs do well with lots of light and moderate water. If light is an issue, add a fluorescent bulb under the cupboard or purchase an herb garden kit with lights.  
6. Hoya – With a vining habit and succulent leaves, hoyas can tolerate neglect. Give them bright, indirect light and let the soil dry well between waterings. There are many varieties of hoya including leaves that are variegated, rope shaped, heart shaped, ovate, and more. Hoya are revered for their aromatic flowers. 
7. Money Tree – Purported to bring good luck, the money tree (Pachira aquatica) makes an elegant statement in a sunny spot in your kitchen. It sports braided stems and shiny green, palmate leaves. It needs humidity and deep, infrequent watering. To increase the humidity, place the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water. 
8. Pothos – One of the best kitchen plants, pothos are great for beginners. The green or variegated, heart-shaped leaves cascade over the sides of its container. Give it indirect light and let it dry between waterings to keep it happy. 
9. Spider Plant – Great for tall containers or hanging baskets, its long, arching leaves can be solid or variegated, and it produces offsets at the end of long stems. They do well in bright, indirect light with moderate water. Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) like humidity and the lack of it will show in brown tips. 
10. Venus Flytrap – If you have a back door to the kitchen, chances are the occasional fly makes its way inside. When it lands on your flytrap, it’s a goner. Flytraps need consistently moist, acidic soil and low light.