Plants like the snake plant, jade plant, calathea, and money plant are excellent choices for adding life and color to your kitchen decor. Kitchen decor plays a vital role in home design, and incorporating plants can greatly enhance the aesthetics and ambiance of this critical space. Besides their decorative value, many of these plants also purify the air and offer health benefits, making them ideal for kitchen environments.
In this article from Grow Your Patch, we will explore 30 kitchen plants and provide care tips to keep them healthy and vibrant.
Jade Plant
The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a succulent featuring glossy, thick leaves. It thrives with minimal care, making it perfect for beginners. This plant can grow up to three feet tall, depending on its growing conditions. It prefers indirect sunlight and requires little watering. Its resistance to pests and diseases adds to its popularity in both indoor and outdoor settings. Additionally, people believe that it brings good luck and prosperity to homes, making it a wonderful addition to any kitchen.
Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus, scientifically called Schlumbergera, is popular for decorating during the holiday season. It showcases beautiful feather-like flowers that bloom in winter. Native to Brazil, this epiphytic plant grows on other plants rather than in the soil but also does well in general potting mixes.
This cactus thrives in humid and shaded environments, requiring regular watering without over-saturation. Apart from its visual appeal, the Christmas cactus is said to possess medicinal properties in some alternative treatments, making it suitable for nearly any kitchen that welcomes plants.
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum, commonly known as the spider plant, is popular for its easy care and air-purifying abilities, making it a staple in many homes. Originating from South Africa, this plant boasts long, thin leaves that grow in tufts, resembling spider legs.
The spider plant thrives in bright, indirect light with well-draining soil. It can withstand short droughts but requires regular watering during its growth period. The plant is well-known for producing offsets, or “pups,” that can be separated and planted to propagate new ones.
Zebrina Pendula
Tradescantia zebrina, commonly known as zebrina pendula or the wandering jew, is cherished for its striking foliage and ease of care. This native of Mexico and Central America has vibrantly patterned leaves that grow on long, trailing stems, creating an eye-catching hanging display.
This plant flourishes in bright but indirect sunlight, making it ideal for most kitchen environments. It’s tolerant of short dry spells yet thrives with consistent watering during the growing season. Propagation is simple through stem cuttings, allowing you to expand your collection easily.
Calathea
Calathea spp. includes a group of tropical plants native to South and Central America, Asia, and Africa. These plants are favored for their stunning foliage adorned with intricate patterns that dance with light changes. Calathea leaves tend to be large, oval or lanceolate, showcasing patterns ranging from stripes to geometric shapes, with green tops and purple or lilac undersides.
They thrive in bright but indirect light, preferring a well-draining, moisture-retaining soil. These plants are sensitive to chlorine in water, so using filtered water or allowing tap water to sit for at least a day is advisable. It is essential to avoid overwatering and keep them away from cold drafts.
Philodendron
Philodendron spp. comprises a genus of tropical plants originating from Central and South America. These plants generally feature large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves and are favored as indoor plants for their beauty and low-maintenance characteristics.
Philodendrons require bright, indirect light and prefer well-draining soil that retains minimal moisture. Some varieties purify indoor air by eliminating toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene. The Philodendron verrucosum is one of the many varieties you might like.
Bird’s Nest Fern
Asplenium nidus, commonly known as bird’s nest fern or pothos, originates from Asia and the Pacific. This tropical plant exhibits large, wavy leaves that rise from a rosette center, giving it its common name. It boasts bright green foliage that can reach up to three feet in length under optimal conditions.
The bird’s nest fern flourishes in indirect light and necessitates well-draining soil to prevent root rot. This popular indoor plant not only beautifies your space but also acts as a natural air purifier, known to remove toxins like formaldehyde and xylene. If you have a spacious kitchen, consider including this plant in your decor. Discover more about Bird’s Nest Fern with our guide here.
Pilea
Pilea peperomioides, also known as the Chinese money plant or UFO plant, is a unique indoor plant that originates from China. It features round, glossy leaves that grow on thin, long stems, contributing to its distinctive look. The Chinese money plant flourishes in indirect light and adapts well to various light and humidity conditions, making it suitable for kitchen displays. Additionally, this plant symbolizes good luck and prosperity in multiple cultures.
Money Plant
Plectranthus verticillatus, commonly referred to as the money plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is an indoor plant native to Africa. It features small, rounded leaves with jagged edges and long, hanging stems, adapting well to various indoor conditions. The money plant prefers bright, indirect light and thrives in well-draining soil that retains a hint of moisture. During spring and summer, it produces small purple or pink tubular flowers that add to its charm. Along with its easy care and attractive foliage, the money plant is sure to enhance your kitchen environment.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata), also known as the violin fig, is a tropical plant from West Africa. Distinguished by its large, glossy, violin-shaped leaves, it thrives in bright, indirect light. It is easy to care for and adapts well to various light and humidity levels, making it a popular choice. Additionally, this plant acts as a natural air purifier, helping to eliminate toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from indoor air.
This plant is perfect for office decor and air purifier, don’t miss the other ones!
Snake Plant
Sansevieria spp., commonly known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is a popular choice among houseplants because of its striking colors and resilience. This perennial is native to Africa and Asia, featuring tall, sharp leaves that grow in a rosette pattern. Snake plants prefer bright, indirect light and well-drained soil, making them an excellent low-maintenance option for kitchens.
Moreover, the snake plant is known for its air-purifying properties, efficiently removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the atmosphere. You can explore more about caring for Sansevieria trifasciata and Sansevieria laurentii.
Ivy
Another popular kitchen plant is Hedera helix, commonly known as English ivy. This perennial climbing plant originates from Europe and Asia, featuring dark green, glossy leaves with serrated edges. English ivy thrives in bright, indirect light with well-draining soil. It adapts well to various light and humidity conditions while preferring a cool, moist environment. Additionally, ivy is recognized for its air-purifying properties, effectively removing indoor toxins like benzene and formaldehyde.
Peperomia
If you’re looking for a kitchen plant with round or oval leaves, the Peperomia obtusifolia is an excellent option. This indoor plant, native to Central and South America, features small, thick oval leaves of vibrant green color.
It thrives in bright light but prefers indirect sunlight, along with well-draining and slightly moist soil. The Peperomia obtusifolia is a popular indoor plant known for its attractive appearance and ease of cultivation. More information on Peperomia types can be found here.
Rhipsalis
If you wish to have plants in your kitchen, consider Rhipsalis spp., a genus of epiphytic plants from the cactus family. Originating in Central and South America, Rhipsalis species look more like succulents, showcasing thin, soft leaves instead of spines. These plants often serve as hanging indoor plants. They thrive in bright, indirect light and must have soil that avoids excessive moisture. With various forms, colors, and sizes, Rhipsalis offers a unique option for indoor plant enthusiasts seeking low-maintenance greenery.
For more ideas, check out our article on hanging succulents: types, care, and propagation.
Pothos
Pothos, also known as devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum), is highly favored for kitchen decoration. Originating from Asia and Oceania, it features heart-shaped, shiny green leaves.
Pothos thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers well-drained soil while retaining minimal moisture. Renowned as an air-purifying plant, it is easy to care for and visually appealing for indoor spaces.
Rainbow Peperomia
The Peperomia clusiifolia variegata is an interior plant native to Central and South America. Characterized by its variegated leaves in shades of green, white, and sometimes red, it boasts thick, oval leaves that are easy to care for.
This plant thrives in well-lit areas but prefers indirect light, making it a manageable indoor plant. Its attractive appearance and low maintenance make it appealing for indoor gardeners. With its bright colors and unique texture, this is a delightful addition to your kitchen.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It’s well-known for its soothing and healing properties for the skin. As a potted plant, aloe vera is easy to maintain and adapts well to various light and humidity conditions. This dehydration-tolerant plant prefers bright but indirect light and requires well-drained, slightly dry soil. This versatility makes it a fantastic addition to your kitchen, providing natural decor while enhancing the ambiance. The gel can also be used for various homemade skin and health treatments.
Money Tree
The money tree or Pachira aquatica is native to Central and South America. While it can grow quite large outdoors, it remains smaller indoors, commonly kept in pots. This plant features a thick, twisted trunk with large, lush leaves. Often viewed as a plant of good fortune, it’s believed to attract wealth and prosperity. This makes it a fitting choice for spacious and sunny kitchens.
This plant thrives in abundant indirect light and prefers well-drained, slightly moist soil. It’s easy to care for and can withstand various light and humidity levels.
Tuberous Begonia
The Begonia tuberosa is a vibrant plant that hails from South America. It produces glossy green leaves and large, eye-catching flowers that can come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, orange, yellow, and white. These blooms resemble roses and can have either single or double petals.
This plant prefers bright light while being shielded from direct sunlight, making it ideal for indoor positioning, such as in the kitchen. Protect it from extreme cold to ensure its health. Tuberous begonias are popular choices for gardens and indoor plants due to their attractive flowers and straightforward care.
Prayer Plant
To wrap up this list of decorative kitchen plants, we present the Maranta leuconeura, popular for its striking leaves. Known as the prayer plant or folding plant, it features leaves that fold up at night as if in prayer. This plant originates from South America and is commonly grown in pots as an indoor plant. Its oval leaves display deep green appearance with a series of red or white stripes, presenting a unique outlook.
It does best in well-lit areas, avoiding direct sunlight, which often makes kitchens ideal. This plant prefers moist, well-draining soil. It’s crucial to maintain moisture without overwatering, as excess water can lead to root complications. This relatively easy-care plant adds color and texture to your home.
Aromatic Herbs for the Kitchen
Aromatic herbs are a must-have for your kitchen, serving both as decor and as ingredients to enrich your recipes. Here are some you can cultivate in your kitchen, with variations in care needs from simple to more demanding.
