Houseplants in the kitchen freshen up the space and have practical uses too. The right plant can help purify the air, add a pop of color, or even provide fresh produce year-round.
Keep in mind that not all plants will thrive in every kitchen, as each space has unique light, humidity, and temperature conditions. However, these 10 types of popular houseplants for the kitchen are a good place to start.
Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are truly some of the easiest houseplants to care for. They adapt well to a variety of different light conditions and are considered relatively drought-resistant. Plus, they make great hanging plants, so you don’t have to waste valuable counter space. Pothos is toxic to animals and humans.1
Philodendron
Philodendrons (Philodendron spp.) are another genus of easy-care houseplants that look great in hanging baskets. Similar to pothos, they are considered relatively drought-tolerant and can grow in bright to medium light. These leafy plants come in many different shapes and colors and are known to be excellent at purifying the air. However, they are also toxic to humans and animals.34
Herbs
Growing herbs in the kitchen may seem like an obvious choice because there really is nothing better than cooking with fresh, organic, homegrown herbs all year round. As long as your kitchen is in a spot that receives bright, direct sunlight for most of the day, herbs will grow easily. Alternatively, you can also grow herbs using a grow light. Herb varieties that are easy to grow indoors include chives, parsley, mint, thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, and cilantro.
Succulents
If you have a bright, sunny windowsill in your kitchen, succulents are a great option. The term “succulent” describes plants that store water in various structures such as their leaves and/or stems, making them drought-resistant and generally easy to care for. There are hundreds of different types of succulents in a variety of stunning shapes, colors, and sizes. Popular types of succulents include echeveria, haworthia, aloe vera, stonecrop, kalanchoe, sedum, and more. Although most succulents are not poisonous, note that kalanchoe and milkweed succulents can be toxic to humans and animals.5
Spider Plant
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are among the easiest houseplants to care for. They make great hanging plants, and when they’re happy, they’ll bloom and produce copious amounts of offshoots. Don’t place a spider plant in direct light, as this can cause the leaves to burn.
Snake Plant
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria trifasciata),6 also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue,” is one of the most popular houseplants, and for good reason. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, and are generally easy to care for. These tropical plants don’t require you to take up valuable window space—they thrive in bright to low light conditions. Snake plant is toxic to animals.7
Rubber Tree
If you’re looking for a large, eye-catching plant for your kitchen, rubber trees (Ficus elastica) are a great choice. These relatives of the fiddleleaf fig adapt to many growing conditions and can grow into full-grown trees in their natural habitat. When grown indoors, size and shape can be kept under control with regular pruning. Choose from several varieties of rubber trees in colors that match the design of your kitchen. The plant is toxic to animals.8
Coffee Plant
Whether you’re a coffee lover or not, the coffee plant (Coffea arabica) is a great addition to any kitchen. Although it’s unlikely you’ll be able to harvest coffee beans from a houseplant, its glossy leaves and compact growth still make it attractive. Coffee plants require bright, indirect light and frequent watering to thrive. Note that the coffee plant is different from the coffee tree (Polyscias guilfoylei), which is toxic to pets.9
ZZ Plant
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance addition to the kitchen, look no further than the ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), also known as the “Zanzibar Jewel.” These stately houseplants are highly adaptable and thrive in both low and bright light. And because they grow from rhizomes, they barely need watering. The plant is poisonous to humans and pets.10
African violet
For those who like flowers in the kitchen, African violets (Sauntpauliaionantha) is the perfect houseplant replacement! A cheerful African violet blooms almost all year round and is available in several beautiful colors. These compact houseplants like bright, indirect light and frequent watering.
