The best plants for kitchens are those that feel like they belong. A tall Aloe Vera on a top shelf, a little pot of Lavender on the windowsill, these additions might be small, but visually, they’re mighty.
Plant placement adds colour without clutter, but the trick is to pick greenery that suits the realities of a kitchen (humidity, heat, cooking fumes and busy worktops). That’s why Rehome is here to give you pointers on styling foliage with different design schemes.
Are you the owner of an industrial kitchen? Maybe you’re planning a Shaker kitchen renovation and need ideas on how to dress up empty, vertical space. In every case, we have the answers.
Why should you have plants in the kitchen?
The real question is: why shouldn’t you?
We recommend avoiding placing plants in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations, in direct contact with food prep areas, or near particularly draughty vents. But when they won’t get in the way, anything goes! In fact, plants do much more than just look good.
Choose the right foliage, and they can be practical – keeping a pot of basil or mint on the windowsill makes it easier to cook from scratch. Plus, according to the NASA Clean Air Study, common indoor plants can play a massive role in removing toxic agents from the air.
Kitchens are regularly exposed to pollutants (e.g. cooking fumes, gas stoves, cleaning products), so it makes sense to have natural air purifiers on stand-by. If you want your plants to thrive, the best approach is to pick varieties that like a humid environment.
Once you’ve whittled it down, you can narrow the options further by looking for the best plants for kitchens that match your design aesthetic.
Kitchen plant ideas
Best plants for farmhouse-style kitchens
The best plants for rustic kitchens look like they’ve been gathered straight from the garden. Typically defined by shaker-style cabinetry and warm, natural timber worktops, farmhouse schemes pair well with greenery that feels freshly picked.
- Woody herbs (Rosemary and Thyme): All herbs are great for cooking, but woody herbs are the easiest to style. Basil wilts quickly, while rosemary and thyme are hardy and look beautiful year-round in weathered terracotta pots on a windowsill.
- Lavender: If you have a sunny spot, lavender is essential for a cottage-core atmosphere. It introduces a pop of purple that contrasts well with oak surfaces (and its scent acts as a natural air freshener).
- English ivy: Farmhouse kitchens often feature open shelving or plate racks – perfect for a trailing plant like English ivy. Its cascading vines are soft, romantic, and can break up the horizontal lines of continuous cabinetry.
Best plants for classic Shaker kitchens
True to the Shaker style (which is all about proportions), you’ll want to avoid plants that look too wild or overgrown. The best plants for kitchens like these offer a little architectural structure to match the cabinetry.
- The Snake Plant (Sansevieria): The ideal match for a Shaker kitchen. This plant’s vertical, sword-like leaves mirror the vertical stiles of Shaker cabinet doors, plus they look great against deep blue or charcoal (and they’re almost impossible to kill).
- White Orchids: The delicate white blooms of Orchids are sophisticated, delicate; excellent as a centrepiece on a kitchen island or dining table.
- Boston Fern: Boston Ferns aren’t structured or overgrown, but they are great for softening some of the harsher edges of a Shaker kitchen. Place one on top of a dresser or high shelf, and let the fronds drape down your square-framed doors.
Best plants for industrial kitchens
Does your kitchen favour the raw, bold aesthetic?
Most industrial kitchens feature exposed brick, concrete-effect worktops, and matte-black or stainless-steel finishes. To create an urban jungle environment, you need plants that are structural and substantial enough to stand out against heavy materials.
- The Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica): Specifically, look for the 'Abidjan' or 'Burgundy' varieties. Their deep, almost black, glossy leaves look spectacular against exposed brickwork or concrete surfaces. They grow tall and upright, so they’re great for filling vertical space in kitchens with high, loft-style ceilings.
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas): If your industrial kitchen is a bit darker (or lacks direct sunlight), the ZZ plant thrives on neglect. It has waxy, geometric leaves that almost look artificial (a great match for man-made, industrial aesthetics!)
- Aloe Vera: Another spiky, architectural plant, Aloe Vera suits the stripped-back, utilitarian look of an industrial kitchen. It looks particularly good potted in unglazed concrete or galvanised metal containers. Plus, the gel inside the leaves is a practical remedy for minor kitchen burns! It’s one of the best plants for kitchens with accident-prone chefs.
Best plants for modern/minimal kitchens
In a minimalist kitchen, you want to avoid clusters of small, messy pots. The best plants for kitchens like these are singular, statement pieces that hold their own against white or high-gloss grey backgrounds.
- Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa): The large, split leaves of the Swiss Cheese Plant are graphic: a bold, organic counterpoint to the sharp lines of a handleless kitchen. A single large Monstera in a neutral pot would work well.
- Air Plants (Tillandsia): Do you work hard to keep your worktops clear? Air plants (as their name suggests) don’t require soil, so they can be displayed in hanging glass globes or wall-mounted geometric frames.
- Lucky Bamboo: This plant grows in straight stalks or simple spirals and often lives in a simple glass vase with water and pebbles. It’s incredibly clean and can look somewhat futuristic.
Kitchen windowsill plants
Sun-loving plants will flourish on a kitchen windowsill. The best choices are small (so they don’t block the view), happy in pots, and able to cope with the temperature swings that come with cooking.
- Chilli Plants: The bright reds, oranges, and yellows of a chilli plant’s peppers will look like jewels against the glass. They love the greenhouse effect created by a sunny kitchen window, and they’ll make a great addition to any recipe that needs a hit of spice.
- Venus Flytrap: A fun, functional wildcard, perhaps the best plants for kitchens are those that you’ve always wanted. Kitchens can often attract fruit flies, especially near the compost bin or fruit bowl. A carnivorous plant on the windowsill can keep these common kitchen pests under control.
- Succulents (Echeveria): Are you renowned for killing plants? Stick to succulents. These plants have shallow root systems that sit nicely in small, decorative pots. Echeverias form beautiful, rose-like rosettes that require very little water and thrive in sunshine.
Kitchen plants that don’t need sunlight
The best plants for shaded kitchens are those varieties that love shade. Some plants actually prefer indirect sunlight and can easily thrive in darker corners or on high shelves away from the window.
- Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra): As the Victorian name suggests, this plant was a staple in dark, smoggy 19th-century homes for a reason: it’s virtually indestructible. It takes low light, fluctuating temperatures, and irregular watering in its stride.
- Devil’s Ivy (Golden Pothos): This trailing plant is the ultimate survivor, and perfectly suited for placing on top of tall kitchen cupboards where light is scarce. Devil's Ivy does grow faster in the sun, but it’s also very tolerant of shade. Its vines will slowly cascade down and bring life to the dead space above your units.
- Peace Lily: The Peace Lily is one of the very few plants that will actually flower in low light. With its lush, dark green leaves and white blooms, the Peace Lily is also very communicative. Its leaves droop dramatically when it’s thirsty, so you’ll have a visual indicator of when it’s time for watering.
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Ultimately, the best plants for kitchens work with your maintenance routine and look great amongst the dominant design scheme. Whether that’s the hardy look of an industrial kitchen or the softness of farmhouse styles, Rehome has recommendations for everyone.
If you’re in the early stages of your renovation journey (and you’re not sure which aesthetic is your favourite), why not browse our heavily reduced luxury listings from top-name manufacturers?
Take inspiration from farmhouse styles, like the beautiful kitchens created by Mark Wilkinson and John Lewis. If your style leans towards classic, we’ve got deals on Shaker kitchens from Tom Howley and Rag n Bone Cabinet Makers.
Take a leap of faith with Rehome, and you could secure a luxury kitchen for thousands less than high-street shopping.
FAQs
How to style plants in the kitchen?
Kitchen counters are high-traffic work zones, so keep them clutter-free.
We recommend using up free space: place trailing plants (like Ivy or Pothos) on top of high cupboards or open shelving, use windowsills for sun-loving herbs, or add a structural plant (like a Snake Plant) in an unused corner.
Which plant removes negative energy?
In Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra traditions, the Bamboo Plant is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the household.
What are low-maintenance plants in the UK?
When you want drought-tolerant greenery, the Snake Plant (Sansevieria) and ZZ Plant are known for their resilience.
