10 houseplants perfect for a kitchen

We know the many benefits of adding a houseplant (or two) to any room, but beyond growing herbs on the windowsill, the kitchen is often one of the most neglected rooms in the house when it comes to adding greenery.

Studies show that indoor plants can help to purify the air, increase oxygen levels and remove toxins, and houseplants can be great for creating a calming kitchen canopy, especially if you often find yourself spending hours prepping and cooking meals.

We know space in a kitchen is often limited, but even the smallest houseplant is perfect for worktops, shelves, or corners. You could even pop some plants in hanging plant pots to take advantage of your vertical space. And even if you're more low maintenance, there really is no excuse not to water your plants with the kitchen sink nearby.

But what plants are suited to steamy environments and will thrive in your kitchen? Here are 10 of the best. The share 10 of the best.

1. The Peace Lily

With glossy green leaves and white blooming flowers, peace lilies are pretty to look at and easy to care for. Definite head turners, they enjoy a sunny spot so popping them on a windowsill is ideal. Peace lilies also help purify the air to get rid of any lingering pollutants.

2. Aloe Vera

With thick, spiky stems, the aloe vera plant has been around for over 5,000 years and has great healing properties used to treat burns. 'Just pinch off a leaf and squeeze the gel-like substance onto a minor burn and you’ll be good to go,' say the experts at flower delivery company Bloom & Wild.

3. Spider Plant

With sprawling green leaves, the ever-popular spider plant looks great in hanging pots. A great air-purifier (it helps to remove odours, fumes and pollutants from the air), spider plants can thrive in many different conditions, whether it’s shady or sunny, and just need the occasional watering and pruning to stay happy. It's super easy to propagate too, so this is a worthwhile buy.

4. The Golden Pothos

Pothos, otherwise known as devil's ivy, is perfect for forgetful people. It can survive with little water, in low-light conditions and varying levels of humidity. The Bloom & Wild team explain: 'With hardy, trailing leaves they know how to make a statement and add some drama to any space. Stick the pothos on top of a cabinet or on a shelf and watch it grow.'

5. The Chilli Plant

Are you a lover of spicy dishes? Growing your own chillies at home is a lot easier than you may think. The chilli plant will look great on a shelf or in a window – they only need watering once or twice a week and after a few months will reward you with lovely little chillies.

6. The ZZ Plant

An air-purifying beauty with shiny, waxy leaves, the zz plant is tough and dramatic, and it actually belongs to the araceae family, which is the same as the peace lily. It's an easy-care, unfussy houseplant that doesn't need watering often (once every two weeks is plenty) and loves a shady spot too.

7. Lavender

A lavender plant makes such a lovely addition to the kitchen – especially if you’ve got a rustic/country cottage aesthetic going on. While lavender is normally a plant that’s kept outside, it’ll thrive indoors too, and it's actually a very useful plant to have around as it repels bugs like flies and moths.

8. Snake Plant

The tall and slender snake plant, with dark green, light green and yellow leaves, can go practically anywhere. Perfect for beginners and low-maintenance plant parents, snake plants need very little care – all they need is water once every few weeks.

9. English Ivy

This is a fast-growing, air-purifying plant that thrives in bright, humid conditions and looks amazing in a hanging pot. Just make sure it's kept away from your pets as it can be toxic to them if they nibble it. Hang over your sink or by a window.

10. Venus Fly Trap

Does your kitchen suffer from flies and pests. If yes, a venus fly trap is the ideal plant. The Bloom & Wild experts explain: 'As the name suggests, this plant lures in flies and other bugs, traps them in their spiny mouths and eats. While it won’t completely rid your kitchen of flies, it'll definitely help and look impressive at the same time.'

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