With Americans spending an average of 90% of their time indoors,1 introducing plants to your living spaces, especially the kitchen, can significantly improve air quality and overall well-being.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Here’s 12 more reasons why you should consider adding some greenery to your culinary haven.
Why Your Kitchen Needs Houseplants
Beyond air purification, houseplants offer a multitude of benefits that make them perfect additions to your kitchen.
- Stress Reduction: Studies show that interacting with indoor plants can reduce psychological and physiological stress.
- Increased Productivity: The presence of plants has been linked to improved concentration and productivity.
- Natural Humidifiers: Many plants release moisture into the air, helping to maintain optimal humidity levels.
- Mood Boosters: Caring for plants can increase feelings of well-being and reduce symptoms of depression.
- Noise Reduction: Plants can help absorb and diffuse sound, creating a more peaceful environment.
- Fresh Herbs on Demand: Some kitchen-friendly plants double as culinary herbs, providing fresh flavors for your cooking.
With all these benefits, it’s clear that houseplants are more than just decorative elements. They’re living, breathing contributors to a healthier, happier kitchen environment.
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Now, here’s our list of 12 houseplants that will thrive in your kitchen, bringing all these advantages and more to your culinary space.
1. Snake Plant
The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is practically indestructible. Its tall, sword-like leaves can grow up to 4 feet high and thrive in low-light conditions. This hardy plant is perfect for busy kitchens, requiring minimal care while effectively purifying the air.
2. Basil
Not just a culinary herb, basil makes an excellent houseplant. Place it near a sunny window, and you’ll have fresh leaves for your recipes year-round. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth, ensuring a constant supply of this fragrant herb.
3. Pothos
Golden pothos, with its heart-shaped leaves, is ideal for kitchen corners or hanging baskets. It can tolerate low light and irregular watering, making it perfect for forgetful plant parents. Its trailing vines can grow up to 10 feet long, adding a lush, cascading effect to your kitchen decor.
4. Spider Plant
The spider plant is renowned for its air-purifying abilities. It’s particularly effective at removing formaldehyde, which can be found in some kitchen cleaners. This plant produces baby “spiderettes” that can be easily propagated, allowing you to expand your indoor garden effortlessly.
5. Fern
Boston ferns thrive in the humid environment often found in kitchens. Their lacy fronds can grow up to 3 feet long, adding a touch of elegance to any space. Place them near a sink or dishwasher to take advantage of the extra moisture in the air.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera isn’t just for sunburns. This succulent thrives in bright, indirect light and requires minimal watering. Keep it on your kitchen windowsill for easy access to its healing gel, which can also be used for minor kitchen burns.
7. English Ivy
English ivy is a classic choice for kitchens. Its trailing vines can grow up to 50 feet long, perfect for decorating shelves or hanging baskets. This plant is also known for its ability to reduce airborne mold, a common concern in damp kitchen environments.
8. Peace Lily
The peace lily brings a touch of tropical elegance to your kitchen. Its glossy leaves and white flowers thrive in low to moderate light. This plant is excellent at removing common household pollutants and can even help reduce microwave radiation.
9. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen plants are known for their colorful, patterned leaves that can brighten up any kitchen corner. They’re incredibly adaptable, tolerating low light and drought conditions. These plants grow slowly, reaching a maximum height of about 3 feet.
10. Jade Plant
The jade plant, a type of succulent, is perfect for sunny kitchen windowsills. Its thick, fleshy leaves store water, making it drought-tolerant. In feng shui, jade plants are believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the home.
11. Rosemary
Rosemary isn’t just for cooking; it’s also a beautiful and aromatic houseplant. This herb prefers bright light and well-draining soil. Keep it in a pot near your kitchen window, and you’ll always have fresh sprigs for your culinary creations.
12. Rubber Plant
The rubber plant, with its large, glossy leaves, makes a bold statement in any kitchen. It can grow up to 8 feet tall indoors, but regular pruning can keep it at a manageable size. This plant is excellent at removing air pollutants and increasing humidity.
Source:
1. Building Green
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.