Are you wondering how to start keeping plants in your kitchen, and what are the best plants to keep that will suit your kitchen and probably with little maintenance? Say no more!
Adding that pop of green in your kitchen is always a beautiful sight, but most people are quite skeptical since you know the kitchen is “the kitchen.” Houseplants can switch up a dull kitchen to a fresh and lively place that you did not think you needed.
Some plants have such earthy scents that keep the kitchen smelling fresh. The benefits of keeping plants in the kitchen are like:
- Oxygen level increase – Orchids and succulents mostly convert CO2 and release oxygen, which of course, we need.
- Release water – Fun fact, plants release approximately 97% of the water they take in. Keeping them together in the kitchen increases humidity, which, in turn, keeps respiratory issues at bay.
- They also purify the air by removing toxins from the air, food smells, and garbage bags. This is by pulling the toxins into the soil and convert it into nutrients.
- They sharpen focus. Yeah, they do. It’s reported that they make people more attentive. So if you have been burning food lately due to lack of mindfulness, this might be what you need.
In this article, we will look at different kitchen plats that you can keep in your kitchen.
Indoor Vine Plants
Vine plants or climbers give your kitchen that outdoorsy feel even if your apartment is in the city’s middle. It has these leggy tendrils that reach out towards the window, and the good thing is that growing it is not as hard. Below are some of the vine plants you can choose from:
Ivy
The Ivy gives the kitchen a vintage feel. It, of course, thrives in a brightly lit window-arch place. Have a surface the plant can train along like a pipe. The plant sticks itself right onto the wall, so adding tacks to guide it will help it grow in your preferred direction. For the Ivy it needs moist soil too.
Philodendron
If you want an indoor hanging plant, the philodendron is a catch. It is low maintenance and only requires indirect sunlight and being watered weekly, which helps to leave the topsoil dry.
Get a humidifier if you live in the drier climate areas. Be careful not to overwater it because it may make the leaves turn yellow, but they need water if they start to wilt.
Jasmine
Unlike the two above, jasmine thrives in cold winters. It leaves the kitchen with a dreamy aroma you will love. Consider putting it in your kitchen doorway, especially if your kitchen is near the main door for that beautiful scent when guests enter the house.
They still also need sunlight, good soil, and water.
Creeping fig
The plant has small, leathery dark green foliage. It clings and is vigorous-growing. Their dense branches grow along any surface and make the kitchen look so good. For this plant, make sure you do not overwater because it thrives in dry soil.
String of pearls
This a low maintenance vine plant. It can go long periods without being watered but does well in a well-lit position.
Window Sill Plants
Window sills receive sunlight directly and are such a perfect spot to keep sun-loving plants. The following plants will thrive on your window sill:
Succulents
They require very little water but lots of light. If you are one to forget to water your plants, then you are in luck with these. Watering them once a week is usually enough. Another thing to know is that they grow well grouped in pots or other containers you want to use.
Crotons
These plants have colorful foliage making them a good pick for the windowsill. They have broad and heavy leaves with lines and patterns on the top. All they need is moist soil.
Cactus
We all have to agree that the cactus plants make a kitchen’s windowsill look so homey right? The plant thrives in windows with direct sunlight and also require little water. If you decide to keep them in a group or just one is okay. Either way still looks presentable.
Kitchen Window Shelf For Plants
A plant shelf is a long plank of wood that is stretched across or just below the window. It is hung with wall-mount brackets. They work mostly if you have no window sill, and you can put them up the window then arrange your shelves there.
You could also get the window shelf to create a simple design element. You can even add it to your window sill to create more space for the plants. Kitchen window shelves also work if you have a ground-level window, and you do not want your plants to be tampered with.
Kitchen plant shelf decorating ideas
Shelves are perfect platforms to showcase your plants, and you do not need a custom shelf. Just get a bookcase or a floating shelf for the kitchen. Decide on a color scheme you’d like that would complement the plants like white or brown.
You could look at your kitchen and see what theme it has and stick to it. It all depends on your preference.
Kitchen Hanging Baskets
In a small kitchen, space is sacred, and anything taking up space needs to be necessary, and everything else is put away in drawers or shelves to avoid over cluttering. As for plants, they cannot be put in drawers, and suspending them in the air on a basket is the best option.
Arrowhead
Also known as five fingers because of the changing shape of the plant’s leaves. They start as an arrowhead then grow into “fingers.” With time it grows to be a long vine so, avoid trimming them to let them grow well in the basket.
Please make sure the basket is at a considerable height so that when the vines grow, they are not touching the floor.
Boston fern
The plant prefers humid temperature but can also grow well in low humidity. The plant is so beautiful, especially its feathery fonds when housed in a hanging basket. Be sure to keep it away from the ceiling for proper air circulation since it helps purify the air. Favorable for the bedroom and living room too.
Burro’s tail
First of all, it is a succulent, which means it can go long periods without water. Their succulent feature helps them retain water. They are suitable for spaced kitchens with minimal movement.
This may be a tricky one because kitchens tend to be busy, but if you can spare space or this hanging plant, that’s okay.
Kitchen Counter Baskets For Plants
For many homeowners, kitchens are also one of those rooms you spend most of your time in. You will most probably find yourself doing your stuff there like reading and relaxing as you wait for that cake to bake.
With all that going on, the counter is prone to over cluttering, but thanks to counter baskets, you can make sure your stuff is well arranged. As for plants, rather than keeping them scattered, you could put them in small pots then place them in the kitchen counter basket.
This is mainly for you if you have a small kitchen space but still want to enjoy some plant life. Countertop space is very precious, and direct sunlight may be limited, but a small kitchen counter wouldn’t be wrong.
You could get some succulents or herbs like basil and mint, which could come in handy at some point while making something.
Kitchen Window Gardens
Many people like kitchen window gardens because they require limited space and position them in a good place for the sunlight. They are specialized windows that maximize shelf space for plants.
They are loved because they help in quick access to fresh herbs or vegetables if they are the ones you’ve decided to plant. Other things that can be grown there are herbs, spices, small salad plants, or sprouts.
All you need is the space to do it. If your window is south-facing, the better because of the sunlight. Just make sure that the window you decide to make the garden gets more than 6 hours of sunlight.
If you choose to grow spices or herbs, you could use things in the kitchen to choose what you need most. Like three to four types of herbs. Then plant, organize, and care for them. Know the details of the plant so you can know how better to care for them.
Also, something else that many people tend to ignore is using the right gardening containers. Don’t just choose a container because it looks “gardeny.” You can use small terracotta or ceramic containers.
Kitchen Plants Decor
The following are some tips you can apply when decorating your kitchen with plants:
- Tall green plants look much better in a spacious kitchen, especially when positioned in the kitchen corner. Position them near plain walls.
- Small indoor plants arranged in a group help to add interest while standing alone with is less impressive.
- Green plants look nice on bright backgrounds like white walls.
- Tall plants help separate kitchen cooking areas with the eating place.
Best Kitchen Plants To Choose From
- Aloe Vera – Likes bright light, so near a window is a must. Do not overwater it till it is soggy. Great relief for those times you cut or burn yourself.
- Herbs – Fresh herbs are a must-have if you want plants in the kitchen. Different herbs like light and others don’t. Basil and rosemary thrive in light while parsley and mint can survive in the kitchen’s dark sides.
- Peace Lily – Has shiny leaves and white-spooned leaves. It can also thrive in low light, but if you want it to bloom better, keep it near light.
- Air Plant – Tillandsia is also its name. It grows without soil but in good sunlight. Closest to a no-care plant. For watering, you mist it occasionally once a week then let it dry.
- Chinese Evergreen – Has pretty long leaves and does not mind low light.
- African spear plant – Has spiky upright leaves and tolerates ay light level.
- Spider plant – This one is also a low maintenance plant and looks terrific in pots. Prefers bright sunlight but is also adaptable to whatever.
