Your kitchen isn’t just a place for cooking — it’s the heart of your home. And just like a good recipe, the best kitchen design includes the right ingredients — including plants. Even in small kitchens, adding greenery can elevate the space, making it more welcoming, stylish, and even functional.
In this article, you’ll discover the best plants for small kitchens, creative ways to style them, and tips to keep them thriving — no matter how compact your space may be.
Why Add Plants to Your Kitchen?
There’s more than one reason to keep plants near where you cook:
- 🌿 Purify the air: Plants can absorb odors and filter kitchen air
- 🌿 Improve mood: Greenery brings calm and creativity — great while prepping meals
- 🌿 Add color and life: Softens hard surfaces like counters and cabinets
- 🌿 Useful and beautiful: Some kitchen plants can double as herbs for cooking
Best of all? Even the tiniest kitchen can make room for a touch of nature.
Best Plants for Small Kitchens
Look for plants that are compact, low-maintenance, and tolerate kitchen conditions — like heat, occasional humidity, and variable lighting.
🌱 Top Kitchen-Friendly Plants:
1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
- Thrives in low or bright light
- Trailing vines look great on shelves or cabinets
- Very forgiving — perfect for busy cooks
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Compact and low-maintenance
- Great in hanging planters near the sink
- Produces baby plants you can propagate
3. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
- Looks great trailing from high shelves or hanging pots
- Helps purify air
- Likes indirect light and regular moisture
4. Herbs (Basil, Parsley, Mint, Chives)
- Delicious and decorative
- Best near a sunny window or under a grow light
- Snip as needed — they’ll keep growing back
5. Succulents (Echeveria, Haworthia, Jade)
- Perfect for window sills
- Require minimal care
- Add a touch of structure and modern flair
6. Air Plants (Tillandsia)
- No soil needed!
- Tuck into jars, bowls, or mounted on walls
- Mist occasionally and enjoy their sculptural shapes
7. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
- Handles neglect, low light, and warm temperatures
- Great for darker corners or beside cabinets
- Shiny leaves add a modern, polished look
Styling Ideas for Small Kitchens
You don’t need a lot of space — just creativity and the right setup. Here are some clever ways to display plants in even the smallest kitchens:
1. Window Sill Garden
If your kitchen has a sunny window, line up small potted herbs, succulents, or a pothos vine. Use matching pots for a clean, curated look.
2. Floating Shelves
Install a shelf just for greenery, or mix small plants with cookbooks, spice jars, and decor. Great for trailing plants or compact pots.
3. Hanging Planters
Use ceiling hooks, curtain rods, or wall mounts to suspend plants like ivy or spider plants. It adds greenery without using counter space.
4. Magnetic or Wall-Mounted Pots
Stick small planters to the fridge or a magnetic board for a vertical herb garden.
5. Countertop Corners
Place one or two plants near the sink, stove, or coffee area to soften edges and add freshness.
6. Tiered Trays or Cake Stands
Use a tiered tray to group a few mini plants or herbs — perfect for countertops or kitchen islands.
7. Glass Jars & Upcycled Containers
Plant herbs or succulents in repurposed mugs, jars, or tins for a rustic or vintage kitchen vibe.
Light and Temperature Considerations
Kitchens often have fluctuating conditions — here’s how to adapt:
Light:
- South-facing windows: Ideal for most herbs and succulents
- Low-light kitchens: Use pothos, ZZ plants, or spider plants
- No windows? Add a grow light under cabinets or shelves
Temperature:
- Most plants prefer 65–75°F (18–24°C)
- Keep plants away from hot stovetops, ovens, and heat vents
- Watch for cold drafts from open windows or doors in winter
Watering and Maintenance Tips
Kitchens can be humid one day and dry the next — so it’s important to stay in tune with your plants’ needs.
- Check soil moisture with your finger before watering
- Use drainage trays or liners to protect countertops
- Wipe leaves monthly to remove cooking residue or dust
- Snip herbs regularly to encourage bushy growth
- Remove dead or yellowing leaves to keep things tidy
Bonus tip: Keep a small watering can under the sink for quick, easy hydration sessions.
Plant + Kitchen Decor Combos
Make your kitchen even more beautiful by coordinating plants with your style:
| Kitchen Style | Best Plant Look |
| Modern/Minimalist | Monochrome pots, geometric succulents |
| Farmhouse | Terracotta herbs, mason jar planters |
| Boho | Hanging pothos, woven baskets |
| Scandinavian | Clean white pots, herbs on wooden shelves |
| Industrial | Metal containers, bold-leaf plants like ZZ |
Use your plants as decor pieces — they’re living design elements that adapt with you!
Fresh, Flavorful, and Full of Life
Small kitchens can still have big personality — and nothing brings a space to life like a touch of green. Whether it’s herbs by the sink, a pothos on a shelf, or a succulent on your coffee corner, plants offer style, function, and freshness every day.
So go ahead — add that basil to your pasta and your windowsill. Your kitchen (and your meals) will thank you.