Add Greenery
A potted herb garden or plant adds life. Pothos and snake plants thrive. Quality faux is fine too. Small herb pots on windowsill add color.
Quick Summary
15-30 minutes
$10-$75
Easy
High
Why Plants Matter
After all the hard work of painting, installing hardware, and updating fixtures, plants are the finishing touch that makes a kitchen feel alive and welcoming. They add color, texture, and a sense of freshness that no other decor can provide.
Best Plants for Kitchens
Kitchens have unique conditions: humidity from cooking, varying temperatures, and often limited light. These plants handle it all:
Pothos (Golden or Marble)
Nearly unkillableTrailing vines perfect for a shelf or top of cabinet. Tolerates low light and irregular watering. Purifies air. Water when soil is dry.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Thrives on neglectArchitectural, upright leaves. Perfect for a corner or next to the fridge. Loves to dry out between waterings. Handles any light level.
Herbs (Basil, Mint, Rosemary)
Needs sunny windowFunctional and beautiful. Place on sunny windowsill. Use in cooking! Basil and mint need consistent water; rosemary likes to dry out.
Spider Plant
Easy, produces babiesArching green-and-white striped leaves. Great in hanging baskets or on shelves. Loves humidity. Produces "baby" plants you can share.
Aloe Vera
Useful + decorativeNeeds bright light. Water infrequently. Gel is useful for minor burns— handy in a kitchen! Sculptural look works in modern kitchens.
Where to Place Plants
Great Spots
- • Windowsill (herbs, succulents)
- • Top of cabinets (trailing pothos)
- • Open shelving
- • Corner next to fridge
- • Hanging from ceiling hook
Avoid
- • Right next to stove (heat)
- • Blocking work space
- • Where they'll get splashed
- • In the way of cabinet doors
The Faux Option
Quality faux plants are perfectly fine
No shame in faux plants! Modern artificial plants look remarkably real. Benefits: no watering, no dying, no pests, consistent look.
- • Best options: IKEA, Target (Threshold), Amazon (Nearly Natural)
- • Tip: Look for realistic stem colors and varied leaf shapes
- • Maintenance: Dust occasionally with damp cloth
Container Tips
The pot matters as much as the plant for visual impact:
- • Match your kitchen style: Ceramic for farmhouse, concrete for modern
- • Use odd numbers: 3 small pots look better than 2 or 4
- • Consider drainage: Use a saucer or cachepot to protect surfaces
- • Size matters: Scale plants to the space (big plant = big impact)