15 Kitchen Plants That Will Thrive in Your Warm, Humid Oasis
Introduction
Kitchens are often the perfect environment for growing plants, thanks to the warm, humid air that is created by cooking and other activities. This makes them an ideal spot for plants that need a little extra moisture and warmth to thrive. In this article, we’ll introduce you to 15 of the best plants for your kitchen, along with tips on how to care for them.
Best Kitchen Plants for Warm, Humid Environments
1. Moth Orchid
Moth orchids are beautiful flowering plants that will thrive in the humidity of a bright kitchen. Keep them out of direct sunlight, on a north- or east-facing windowsill or counter top. Moth orchids don’t do well in temperatures below 15ºC, so don’t buy for a kitchen where the temperatures drop too low in winter.
2. African Violets
African violets are compact house plants that can flower all year round if they have the right growing conditions. The flowers can be pink, red, white, mauve or violet and appear above furry leaves. African violets thrive in warm, humid rooms, in bright indirect light, although they will be ok on a south-facing windowsill through winter. Avoid temperatures below 16ºC.
3. Peace Lily
Peace lilies are ideal for beginners as they’re low maintenance and easy to look after. They can cope with light shade but will flower more frequently in a bright spot. They do best in a warm, humid room, so a cosy kitchen is perfect for them. Bear in mind that peace lilies are toxic, especially if you have children and/or pets.
4. Begonia Rex
Add dramatic foliage to your kitchen with a Begonia Rex. This exotic plant is popular for its colourful leaves and will thrive in a humid room. There are plenty of colours and types to choose from, including ‘Fireworks’, which has an AGM from the RHS. It won’t cope in rooms where the temperature drops below 16ºC and needs light shade rather than direct sun.
5. Boston Fern
Brighten up a shady spot in your kitchen with a Boston fern, which has light green, arching fronds. It’s adaptable and will cope both with light shade or bright indirect light as long as the air is humid. If your kitchen is low in humidity, mist your plant regularly.
6. Maidenhair Fern
This graceful looking plant has delicate, light leaves. It needs to have moist soil, although don’t water until the top inch of compost has dried out. If your kitchen is not humid, mist regularly. Place in a bright spot away from draughts and direct sun.
7. Corn Plant
Corn plant is a low maintenance choice that’s ideal for beginners as it doesn’t need frequent watering. These plants have stripy foliage and, although they start small, eventually they will produce a tree like stem that reach 2m tall with the leaves at the top. This makes it a good pick for a corner in a large kitchen.
8. Golden Pothos
Also known as Devil’s ivy, pothos is a versatile plant that can grow in many light levels but will appreciate the moist air of a kitchen. It needs only light watering (once the top couple of inches of compost have dried out) and with its trailing stems that can reach 2m long, it will look striking on a high shelf.
9. Chilli
Chilli plants thrive on a sunny kitchen windowsill. Sow seeds in February or buy a small plant in early summer. Not only will you have a colourful plant for the kitchen but you can harvest fresh chillies to cook with, from July to October.
10. Herbs
There’s a good variety of herbs you can grow on a sunny windowsill that will save you money on supermarket packets. Basil and coriander need a warm spot. Don’t overwater basil, especially in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Other herbs you could try indoors for easy pickings include mint and chives.
11. Swiss Cheese Plant
Monstera adansonii is the miniature Swiss cheese plant and its main attraction is its leaves with a variety different sized holes in them. The stems are vine-like and can either be trained up a support or left to trail over the side of the pot. Monstera adansonii is native to South American rainforests so will therefore thrive in a warm, humid kitchen.
12. Chinese Money Plant
If your kitchen is not particularly humid and on the cooler side, there are still plenty of plants that will grow well. The Chinese money plant is easy to care for – it doesn’t need humidity and isn’t too fussy about watering. Place it in a bright spot where you can enjoy its round, flat leaves.
13. Spider Plant
Spider plant is one of the easiest plants to look after, as it doesn’t mind neglect and when happy will produce enough babies to start a new generation. Grow in a bright spot out of direct sunlight.
14. Nerve Plant
If you need a plant for a tight space or small windowsill, nerve plant could be the one for you. It needs a humid room so thrives in kitchens and bathrooms and its patterned and often colourful foliage will bring colour and interest to your home.
15. Drosera Capensis
The cape sundew plant is a carnivorous plant that will trap insects, including fruit flies, with its sticky tentacles. It’s easy to care for compared to the carnivorous venus fly trap, but needs a south facing windowsill. Keep the compost moist.
Tips for Growing Plants in the Kitchen
- Choose plants that are well-suited to the humidity and light levels in your kitchen.
- Water your plants regularly, but be careful not to overwater.
- Fertilize your plants monthly during the growing season.
- Repot your plants as needed.
- Keep your plants clean of pests and diseases.
By following these tips, you can enjoy beautiful, healthy plants in your kitchen for years to come.