20 Best Kitchen Plants That Thrives In Dining Area

Snake plant is a fantastic choice for those seeking a hassle-free plant with impressive air-purifying qualities. Its resilience to neglect and ability to thrive in moderate to low light conditions make it an ideal companion for busy kitchens. With its minimal watering needs, you can forget about it for a while without worry.

Moreover, among the diverse array of snake plant varieties and leaf patterns, you will find numerous options with different-sized leaves and patterns. These range from long and slender to broad and striped, ensuring you can find one that perfectly matches your style.

• Scientific Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
• Light: Low light to indirect sunlight
• Water: Water when the soil dries out completely
• Mature Size: 2-4 feet tall

The ZZ plant, with its glossy, dark green leaves, is an excellent low-maintenance option for your dining area. Whether your kitchen receives plenty of natural light or is on the dimmer side, this plant can thrive without much fuss.

This hardy plant is resilient against pests and diseases, making it ideal for busy households where regular plant care might be a challenge. Additionally, the ZZ plant is also commonly referred to as a ‘money plant,’ and placing it in your home will bring a touch of symbolic prosperity and good fortune.

• Scientific Name: Zamioculcas Zamiifolia
• Light: Indirect sunlight 
• Water: Water when the soil dries out completely
• Mature Size: 2 to 4 feet tall

Pothos is widely adored by beginner plant enthusiasts due to its simplicity in cultivation and propagation. Its versatility in tolerating various light conditions makes it a flexible addition to any indoor space.

You can also encourage the Pothos to grow upwards by providing a trellis or moss pole for support. In the kitchen, find a spot with indirect sunlight, like on a counter near a window. You could also hang it from the ceiling using a macramé hanger, allowing it to trail down gracefully, bringing some greenery into your cooking area.

• Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum
• Light: Low to moderate indirect sunlight
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
• Mature Size: 6-10 feet long

The Spider plant is a popular choice for any kitchen due to its low-maintenance nature and its ability to add a touch of freshness to the atmosphere. This plant is loved for its unique feature called the spiderettes. Spiderettes are growths from the main plant, dangling elegantly like tiny green spiders on delicate threads. These spiderettes can be propagated to grow new plants, so it’s super easy to expand your indoor garden.

Spider plant is also known for purifying the air as it absorbs toxins from the air through its leaves. This contributes to a fresher and healthier indoor environment, particularly suitable for the dining area.

• Scientific Name: Chlorophytum comosum
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Water when the soil has dried out completely
• Mature Size: 2 to 2.5 feet tall

Philodendron offers an array of choices in terms of shapes, sizes, and colors, making it easy to find one that fits your style. Taking care of these plants is quite easy as they flourish with bright, indirect sunlight and soil that’s kept consistently damp.

If you are looking to spruce up your dining area with greenery, consider popular varieties. The Heartleaf philodendron is known for its heart-shaped leaves, while the Swiss Cheese plant with its holey foliage. Likewise, the philodendron Birkin is prized for its striking variegated appearance.

• Scientific Name: Philodendron spp.
• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Water: Keep soil consistently damp, but avoid overwatering
• Mature Size: Varies by species, typically ranging from a few inches to several feet tall

Lucky Bamboo is widely recognized as a plant believed to bring good luck and prosperity to its owner. Its simple care requirements make it accessible to all, as it thrives in either water or soil. This plant flourishes best in bright, indirect light. Therefore, it is suitable for locations near windows where it can receive ample but filtered sunlight.

Placing lucky bamboo in your kitchen, perhaps on a countertop or shelf, is recommended due to its auspicious connotations. Regular watering is essential to maintain its health, ensuring the soil or water remains consistently moist.

• Scientific Name: Dracaena sanderiana
• Light: Indirect sunlight or moderate artificial light
• Water: Keep their roots submerged in water at all times. Change the water every 1 to 2 weeks
• Mature Size:  2-3 feet tall

Peperomias are lovely small plants with a variety of colors and leaf shapes. These plants are easy to care for, which is perfect for those without a green thumb. When selecting a pot for them, opt for one with holes at the bottom to ensure proper drainage. Terra cotta or ceramic pots are ideal choices.

Consider placing your peperomia on a dining table where it can receive indirect sunlight, avoiding direct exposure to harsh rays. You can also position it near a window with filtered light, ensuring it doesn’t receive too much direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves.

• Scientific Name: Peperomia spp.
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Allow the soil to dry out partially between waterings
• Mature Size: 6- 2 inches tall

Calatheas are gorgeous indoor plants known for their vibrant, patterned leaves. These leaves come in various sizes, ranging from small and delicate to large and striking. Calatheas thrive in bright, indirect light and love humidity, so they will do well in your home.

While they might require a bit more attention compared to some other plants, the effort is worth it for the stunning beauty they bring. You can place them in your kitchen to liven up the space with their colorful foliage. Also, Calatheas make a lovely addition to your dining area, cultivating a warm and inviting environment.

• Scientific Name: Calathea spp.
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
• Mature Size: 12 inches to 3 feet tall 

The Peace Lily, with its shiny green leaves and pretty white blooms, is a lovely addition to your kitchen. It does not need too much light, so it’s perfect for those spots with not a lot of sunshine. Plus, it likes its soil to be a bit damp, so just make sure to give it a little water when the top of the soil feels dry.

Besides its beauty, this peace lily is also great for purifying the air in your kitchen, making it fresher and healthier to breathe. So, not only does it look lovely, but it also helps create a more pleasant environment for cooking and spending time with family.

• Scientific Name: Spathiphyllum wallisii
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch
• Mature Size: 3 feet tall

The String of Pearls is a delicate succulent featuring cascading stems adorned with small, pearl-like leaves. This plant requires well-draining soil and bright, indirect light to thrive perfectly. It’s a favored choice for adding a whimsical touch to dining areas.

A perfect spot for this succulent to hang in your kitchen would be near a sunny window or suspended from a ceiling hook above a breakfast nook. This placement ensures it receives ample light while also adding a charming aesthetic to the kitchen space.

• Scientific Name: Senecio Rowleyanus
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Water when the soil dries completely
• Mature Size: 3 feet long

Scientifically known as Pilea Peperomioides, the Chinese Money Plant is a popular houseplant believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to one’s life. Its distinctive round, coin-shaped leaves make it easily recognizable and appealing to many plant enthusiasts. This plant thrives in moist soil, making it relatively low maintenance.

Keeping this money plant in your kitchen can be beneficial as it adds a touch of greenery to the space, creating a fresh and lively atmosphere. Plus, having a plant in the kitchen can help improve indoor air quality, since this plant is capable of purifying toxins present in the air.

• Scientific Name: Pilea peperomioides
• Light: Indirect light
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch
• Mature Size: 8-12 inches

English ivy is a versatile plant, making it a great fit for your dining area. You can allow it to climb walls or hang from baskets above your kitchen cabinets, bringing greenery and freshness to your cooking space.

This vine features shiny, green leaves shaped like small teardrops. They also serves as air purifiers by absorbing harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene. Therefore, having these plants indoors can contribute to cleaner air by absorbing toxins and pollutants.

• Scientific Name: Hedera helix
• Light: Low light to bright, indirect light
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil dries out slightly
• Mature Size: 6-100 inches

Lavender is a fragrant and versatile plant that belongs to the mint family. This plant produces beautiful purple flowers and aromatic foliage. While lavender is commonly grown outdoors in gardens, it can also thrive in the kitchen with proper care. Thus, placing this plant in your kitchen can be a great idea.

Moreover, lavender is believed to have calming properties that can help reduce stress and anxiety. Its pleasant fragrance creates a soothing atmosphere during meals, fostering a sense of serenity to promote mental calmness and stress reduction.

• Scientific Name: Lavandula
• Light: Full sunlight
• Water: Once in a week
• Mature Size: 1-3 feet

Rosemary is a popular herb in Mediterranean cooking known for its woody stems and needle-like leaves. Having rosemary in your dining space can be beneficial as it’s convenient for use in cooking. You can easily snip off a few sprigs whenever you need them to add flavor to dishes such as roasted meats, stews, and sauces.

These plants require ample sunlight, preferably around 6 to 8 hours of light per day for ideal growth. To ensure they receive adequate sunlight, place them near a south-facing window where they can soak in the sunlight throughout the day.

• Scientific Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
• Light: Full sun
• Water: Water once every 1-2 weeks
• Mature Size: 2-4 feet

Orchids, part of the Orchidaceae family, are famous for their beautiful flowers of various colors, shapes, and sizes. They usually grow on other plants instead of soil. For them to thrive indoors, it’s best to keep in well-lit areas like the kitchen.

Place them near a window where they can get indirect sunlight, avoiding direct sunlight that might harm their delicate flowers and leaves.

• Scientific Name: Orchidaceae
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Water regularly
• Mature Size: 6-36 inch

Chives are a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Allium genus, closely related to onions, garlic, and leeks. Before bringing chives into your kitchen, it’s important to consider their requirements: they thrive in well-draining soil and prefer full sun to partial shade. Think about placing them near a sunny windowsill or under a grow light in your kitchen.

As they grow quickly, you should provide sufficient space for their expansion. Regular harvesting encourages growth and maintains freshness. But avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

• Scientific Name: Allium schoenoprasum
• Light: Partial shade to full sun
• Water: Water regularly
• Mature Size: 12 to 24 inches tall, 10- 12 inches wide

Thyme is a small herb plant that belongs to the mint family. This herb is a great plant to keep in your kitchen for both culinary and practical purposes. Its aromatic leaves can enhance a variety of dishes, and it requires minimal care.

Thyme also has antimicrobial properties, which can help purify the air in your kitchen. Additionally, it’s a low-maintenance plant that thrives in a sunny location. Overall, keeping thyme in your kitchen can add fresh flavors to your cooking and contribute to a healthy environment.

• Scientific Name: Thymus vulgaris
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry
• Mature Size: 4-12 inches tall

Having an aloe vera plant in your kitchen can be beneficial for several reasons. The gel inside its leaves is full of vitamins and naturally antibacterial, making it ideal for treating minor cuts and burns, which are common in the kitchen. The plant’s gel-like substance can be applied directly to the skin for instant relief.

Additionally, aloe vera is a stylish and practical addition to the home, as it purifies the air of formaldehyde and benzene, which are commonly found in household cleaning products. This succulent plant thrives in bright light, making it a perfect addition to the kitchen’s sunny windowsill.

• Scientific Name: Aloe barbadensis miller
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings
• Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall

Basil is an easy-to-grow herb that is a perfect addition to any kitchen. It comes in various types, such as genovese, lemon, and holy basil, each with its own unique flavor and aroma. Basil is known for its use in a wide range of dishes, including Italian cuisine, teas, and soups. It can be grown in containers, making it suitable for indoor cultivation.

To grow healthy basil in your kitchen, you should provide it with a sunny spot, well-drained soil, and regular watering. By pinching the plant back, it can be encouraged to grow bushy and produce more leaves.

• Scientific Name: Ocimum basilicum
• Light: Bright to full sunlight
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
• Mature Size: 12-24 inches

Mint is a type of herb plant that has a refreshing smell and taste. It’s often used in cooking, like in salads, teas, or desserts, to add a fresh flavor. Growing mint in your kitchen is totally doable! This herb thrives in sunlight and moist soil, so find a sunny spot near a window where it can get some light.

You can also plant mint in a pot or a small container filled with good-quality potting soil. Make sure to water it regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Mint grows pretty quickly, so you might need to trim it back occasionally to keep it from taking over your kitchen.

• Scientific Name: Mentha
• Light: Partial to full sunlight
• Water: Water regularly
• Mature Size: 12-36 inches