Best Kitchen Plants
Kitchens offer ideal conditions for many plants — bright windows, warm temperatures, and humidity from cooking and dishwashing. From fresh herbs on the windowsill to trailing vines on top of cabinets, there is a plant for every kitchen space.
Typical Kitchen Conditions
Light
Often the brightest room. Large windows above sinks provide moderate to bright light.
Humidity
Moderate to high (50-70%) from cooking steam, dishwashers, and boiling water.
Temperature
Warm (68-80°F) from cooking appliances. Can fluctuate with oven use.
Challenges
Grease and cooking residue on leaves, heat spikes near the stove, limited counter space.
Top 10 Kitchen Plants
Trails from the top of cabinets or a hanging planter and loves the humidity generated by cooking and washing up.
Care guideGrow them on a sunny windowsill for fresh cooking ingredients year-round. Basil loves warmth; rosemary likes drier conditions.
Purifies cooking fumes and thrives in the bright indirect light most kitchens offer. Non-toxic and pet-safe.
A sunny kitchen windowsill is ideal. Plus, the gel is handy for soothing minor kitchen burns and cuts.
Handles varying kitchen light levels and benefits from cooking steam. Filters common indoor pollutants.
Care guideTrails beautifully from open shelving and handles kitchen humidity well. Some studies suggest it filters airborne particles.
A larger kitchen can showcase Monstera's dramatic fenestrated leaves. The warmth and humidity are ideal.
Care guideCompact flowering plants that bloom on kitchen windowsills with bright, indirect light. Adds a pop of color.
Handles darker kitchen corners near the floor where other plants would struggle.
A succulent that thrives on bright kitchen windowsills. Low water needs and considered a symbol of good luck.
Kitchen Plant Care Tips
- 1Keep plants at least 12 inches away from the stove and oven to avoid heat damage.
- 2Wipe leaves periodically to remove grease, dust, and cooking residue that blocks light absorption.
- 3Take advantage of kitchen humidity by placing tropical plants near the sink or dishwasher.
- 4Use a sunny windowsill for herbs and succulents that need bright direct light.
- 5Choose trailing plants for the tops of cabinets to maximize limited counter space.
- 6Use herb pots with labels for a practical and attractive kitchen feature you can cook with.