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Let’s be honest: the space above your kitchen cabinets is either a dusty graveyard for forgotten appliances or an awkward void screaming for attention. But why settle for boring when you can make it a show-stopping statement? Adding plants on top of kitchen cabinets isn’t just trendy – it’s the ultimate power move to make your kitchen feel alive (and let’s face it, a bit less like a Pinterest fail). Whether you’re into lush jungle vibes or just want to flex your green thumb in the most unexpected way, these 20+ plants on top of kitchen cabinet ideas will have you rethinking everything you thought about kitchen decor. Get ready to turn “meh” into “wow.” 🌿
Peace Lily
A peace lily thrives in indirect light, so it’s great for a kitchen! Water it when the soil feels dry, keep it in a warm spot, and enjoy its air-purifying benefits. Just avoid direct sunlight and drafts.
Pothos
Pothos is perfect for a kitchen! It thrives in low to bright indirect light and is very low-maintenance. Just water when the soil is dry, and it can handle the humidity that kitchens often have. Plus, it’s a great air purifier!
English Ivy
English ivy can work in a kitchen, but it does best with bright, indirect light. It’s a bit more finicky about watering – keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Ivy also likes cooler temperatures, so avoid putting it near hot spots like stoves or ovens. It can help purify the air too, but you may need to trim it regularly since it grows quickly.
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) is a great choice for a kitchen! It does well in low to medium light, making it perfect for spaces with less direct sunlight. It’s also very forgiving about watering – just let the soil dry out between waterings. This plant loves humidity, so your kitchen environment could be ideal. Plus, it’s pretty low-maintenance overall.
Air Plant
Air plants (Tillandsia) can definitely thrive in a kitchen! They don’t need soil – just a bright, indirect light spot and regular misting or soaking in water for about 20-30 minutes once a week. Kitchens are great because the humidity from cooking can help them stay happy. Just make sure they’re not in a spot where they’ll get too hot or greasy from cooking fumes.
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Spider Plant
A spider plant is a great choice for the kitchen! It’s easy to care for, thrives in indirect light, and can handle a bit of humidity, which kitchens often have. Just water it when the soil feels dry, and avoid letting it sit in water. It’s also a natural air purifier! Plus, its trailing leaves can add a nice touch of greenery to your kitchen.
Fern
Ferns can do well in the kitchen, especially if it’s a bit humid! They prefer indirect light and need consistently moist soil, so you’ll want to water them regularly. The extra humidity in a kitchen from cooking can be great for them, as they thrive in moist environments. Just avoid placing them near heat sources like stoves or ovens.
ZZ Plant
ZZ plants are a fantastic choice for a kitchen! They’re super low-maintenance and can thrive in low to bright, indirect light. They also don’t need frequent watering—let the soil dry out completely between waterings. ZZ plants are tolerant of dry air, so they’ll do fine in the kitchen’s fluctuating humidity. Plus, they’re known for being resilient.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a great plant for the kitchen! It loves bright, indirect light and needs very little water—just let the soil dry out completely between waterings. The warm, sunny spot in your kitchen should be perfect for it. Aloe vera is also handy for soothing skin burns or cuts, making it a practical plant to have nearby.
Pink Aglaonema
Pink aglaonema is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant for the kitchen! It thrives in low to medium, indirect light, so it can adapt well to various lighting conditions. It also likes to be kept moist but not soggy, so water when the top of the soil feels dry. The added humidity in the kitchen can be a plus for it. Just avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as it might scorch its colorful leaves.
Herbs
Herbs in the kitchen are a great idea! They love the proximity to cooking and thrive in bright, indirect light, which is common in most kitchens. Popular kitchen herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, thyme, and rosemary are easy to grow in pots on a windowsill or countertop. Just make sure they get plenty of sunlight and water them when the soil feels dry.
Dracaena Angolensis
Dracaena angustifolia (often called “Dracaena angolesis”) can work well in a kitchen, especially since it prefers indirect light, which is common in many kitchens. It’s fairly low-maintenance, requiring only occasional watering—let the soil dry out between waterings. This plant also does well in a range of temperatures, making it adaptable to the kitchen environment. Just be careful not to overwater, as it doesn’t like to sit in damp soil for too long.
Heartleaf Philodendron
Heartleaf philodendron is a perfect choice for the kitchen! It thrives in low to bright, indirect light and is very forgiving when it comes to care. It only needs watering when the top of the soil feels dry, and it can tolerate some neglect, making it low-maintenance. Plus, its trailing vines add a lovely touch of greenery to your kitchen space. It also does well in the humidity typical of kitchens.
Cacti
Cacti can work in a kitchen if they get enough bright, indirect light! They prefer a sunny spot but can also tolerate some lower light as long as they don’t get too much moisture. Cacti don’t need frequent watering—once every couple of weeks or so, or when the soil is completely dry. Kitchens with lots of natural light are ideal for them.
Philodendron
Philodendrons are a great choice for the kitchen! They thrive in indirect light and are pretty low-maintenance. Whether you have a standard philodendron or a heartleaf variety, they do well in the humidity kitchens often provide. Just water them when the top inch of soil feels dry, and avoid overwatering. Their trailing vines add a lovely touch of greenery, and they’re known for being very resilient.
Lavander
Lavender can work in the kitchen, especially if it gets plenty of bright sunlight! It thrives in well-draining soil and needs to dry out between waterings. A sunny windowsill is often a great spot for lavender. It also enjoys drier air, so the kitchen’s humidity might not be ideal for it unless there’s a lot of light and it stays on the drier side.
Coffee Plant
A coffee plant can be a unique and fun addition to your kitchen! It prefers bright, indirect light and a bit of humidity, which makes the kitchen environment ideal. However, it’s not too fond of direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves, so keep it away from windows that get full sun. Coffee plants also like to be kept moist but not soggy, so let the top layer of soil dry out between waterings.
Polka Dot Plant
Polka dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya) can definitely thrive in the kitchen, as long as they get bright, indirect light. They love humidity, so the kitchen environment is ideal. Just be sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy, and water when the top inch feels dry.
String of Pearls
A string of pearls is a great choice for the kitchen, especially if you have a bright spot with indirect light! This succulent is low-maintenance and thrives on infrequent watering—just let the soil dry out completely between waterings. It also likes drier air, so it’s well-suited for a kitchen that’s not too humid. A hanging pot or shelf is perfect for showing off its trailing “pearls.”
Swedish Ivy
Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus) can do well in a kitchen, especially if it gets bright, indirect light. It’s a low-maintenance plant that doesn’t need much attention, making it perfect for busy spaces like kitchens. It prefers the humidity that kitchens often offer, so it should be right at home there. Just keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and let it dry out slightly between waterings.
Honorable Mentions
Devils Ivy
Devil’s Ivy (also known as pothos) is perfect for the kitchen! It thrives in low to bright, indirect light and is super easy to care for. It’s pretty forgiving, so you don’t need to worry too much about watering—just let the soil dry out between waterings. Kitchens are great for pothos because the humidity from cooking can help it thrive.
Red Aglaonema
Red aglaonema is a beautiful choice for the kitchen! It thrives in low to medium, indirect light, so it can adapt well to kitchen conditions. It’s relatively low-maintenance, needing only occasional watering—just let the top of the soil dry out between waterings. Kitchens with a bit of humidity are perfect for it since aglaonema enjoys a slightly humid environment.
White Jasmine
White jasmine can be a lovely addition to your kitchen, especially if you have a bright, sunny spot! It thrives in full sunlight or bright, indirect light, so a kitchen with good light would be perfect. Jasmine also enjoys some humidity, which is a plus in kitchens, and it needs regular watering when the soil feels dry.
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