I am in the market for a houseplant. Just something green to set in my kitchen window. On top of a little bit of color in the kitchen, houseplants have tons of air purification qualities. One little plant can help you breath easier–and unlike humans, they love it when you breath in their face. Plus, according to a study cited on Huffington Post, plants have a mood boosting effects–I’m pretty sure gardeners everywhere didn’t need a study to confirm this one.
I don’t have many requirements. I want a plant that looks good, is low maintenance, and that has a reputation for cleaning the air…okay, maybe that is a lot to ask {might as well throw in that I wouldn’t mind if the plant could solve world hunger :)}.
I made a list…because I love lists. I might one day make a list of all of the lists I need to make. I digress. I made a list of some of the plants I am considering. I am sharing my list, because I’ve done waaaay more research than any one person should do on a houseplant, and now, you don’t have to. No need to thank me.
Aloe
I like Aloe because it thrives in a sunny location. It doesn’t need a ton of water–in fact, it prefers a little neglect. Best of all, when I burn myself in the kitchen, which I do like once a week, I can slice a little piece off and soothe my blisters. It would be like having a little pal in the kitchen that requires almost nothing of me, but gives, gives, gives.
English Ivy
English Ivy is classic. It screams classy, which hopefully will fool others into thinking that I am classy. The only thing I don’t love about this one is that I prefers cooler temperatures–and with all of the baking/cooking I do, the kitchen tends to be quite a bit warmer than the rest of the house. Still, it would be very Downton Abbey of me, and I may chance it.
Spider Plant
Spider plants add a pretty big boost of green to where ever you set them. They are one of the top air purifiers. They are virtually impossible to kill and are fast growers. The only thing I don’t love about them is that they are common. It’s not that out of the ordinary to see one, so occasionally they fade into the background.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies are another common choice for air purification. I like these because they flower–which adds another element of awesomeness. They have the same downside as English Ivy for me, though, in that they don’t do as well in higher temperatures…which it’s not like I am cranking out 70 plus degree temperatures on a regular basis, but like I said, I am really looking for low maintenance, and not giving it its preferred environment might mean more work for me. Also, these ones are a little taller, and I don’t want the plant to block my whole view of the outside, just add a little splash of life.
Orchid
Orchids are super popular right now. They come in a ton of different colors. Caring for them is pretty easy, once you know how. The only thing is that they bloom for several months, then you’re done. You have to start over. They have HUGE visual appeal, though, and make any space seem graceful and feng shui.
Jade Plant
Jade plants are succulents, and I have never met a succulent I don’t like. They call to me, visually, what can I say? I like this option because of the way they look, the fact that they aren’t bothered by normal fluctuations in room temperature, and wait for it…they thrive on a little watering neglect. They also live forever {okay, maybe not literally}, but they do live for YEARS. They grow slowly, so it’s one of those plants that you can grow attached to. They’ll witness graduations, Christmas dinners, births, deaths…and there is something comforting about knowing that they’ll be there with you every step of the way {I might have an unhealthy relationship with plants, but I accept it}.
There are obviously a ton more to choose from, but those are the ones I am tossing around for the space that I have. Do you have any other suggestions?
~Mavis
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Karen Isley says
I really like begonia’s. Like Iron Cross or Eyelash. They don’t like full sun though. Also, English Ivy can tend to get spider mites as well. Aloe has a the multi-purpose thing going on but in good light and the right care can get quite large. Another one that I love that is great is Haworthia. They are really cool looking are low maintenance and can take sun. Good luck!
Emily says
I have a special love affair with my house plants too! Its ok! I have an aloe plant that was a gift from my grandma and has about quadrupled in size since she gave it to me a year and a half ago. Basically you forget about it until you look at it and think “hmm I dont remember the last time I watered that” Then you water it. you may become a crazy aloe lady though… They put up these little babies that can be dug up and replanted. I love to give them as gifts and they live forever as long as they have light and you dont overwater!
PattyB says
I vote for the jade plant. They are very forgiving and the do flower. Little tiny white flowers. And it is easy to propagate.
Crystal says
HA! I have every one of your choices! except the ivy is outside… My orchid bloomed several times in the first 2 years, but it had a rough summer last year, so we are working on growing some more leaves/bloom. Also – violets are pretty easy to care for.
karen says
Have u tried Pothos or Phyladendrom? not sure of the spelling. My mom had them both over many years and she would talk to them. They grew so well and she had hers in the kitchen for yrs.
Wynne says
These are my two staple houseplants, too: indestructible. The variegated ones are especially pretty. I also really like spiderwort/wandering jew. Lipstick plant and goldfish plant have great flowers, but fussier care.
Laura says
I was going to suggest pothos as well. Grows great in many conditions and is variegated with more sunshine. Very nice!
Kristina says
We’ve had a peace lily in a west facing window of our central CA home for 5 years, and I’ve had to repot it twice. It’s lovely, but you’re right about height. We don’t used a whole lot of AC in the summer, plus it’s the hottest side of the house (every day is 90-100 degrees here in summer). I’ve never had trouble with it being too hot. I like the looks of maidenhair fern more than spider plant. Also, any sort of herb would be nice. Thyme makes a nice container plant, and so does mint, since it’s so invasive outside. Plus, they smell nice. We have to be careful about parrot-safe plants, as we have a green cheek conure who flies around here and will eat anything he can land near/on, so “edible” is a real plus for me. 🙂
Pam says
Ivy is classy unless it’s on the front corner and side area of your property. Then it is an unauthorized intruder and has to be removed. Do you have to check with your HOA on house plants that could possibly be spotted through a window by their drive by patrols? (Sorry – couldn’t resist). I have 2 jade plants in my kitchen window that I’ve had for years. They stay so pretty and green year round.
Julie Ann says
BAHAHAHAHA! Ohhh, that whole paragraph is classy! Don’t forget…”and only Ivy on YOUR property, ’cause everyone else can have it except for you”.
And I second the Jade plant. Everyone loves a plant that you can forget to water :3
Sue says
That explains why I’ve been able to keep a jade plant alive…
I vote for three little pots — one jade, one aloe, and one with something edible in it — how about a couple of romaines or a cilantro or thyme?
Cheryl says
Violets are in my kitchen window. Even when they aren’t in bloom I still love the look of them.
Gayiety says
I have three different types of African violets. They’re very easy when you use a self-watering pot and they have the most beautiful blooms several times a year; pink with purple dots, pale pink, and white. One sits in a southern exposure to our northern CA sun. They remind me of my paternal grandmother, she had a least a dozen in her living room windows and plant stands.
Chelsea Perez says
I have a Peace Lily in my bathroom, under a frosted window that faces west. It does well there. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for the kitchen, because the amount of pollen that falls off the flowers is ridiculous! I had 13 flowers one year, and the ledge was covered!
Cecily says
I would recommend a Christmas cactus. They seem to thrive on neglect.
Amanda says
I love my Spider plants – tough as nails. Another winner has been the rosemary I’ve had inside for the last three years. They aren’t quite cold hardy enough for here, so at the end of its first summer I brought it inside in its pot and it hasn’t been out since. I’ve had a couple close calls with the watering(not quite as tough as my spiders, whoops) but so far it has always recovered and hey, it’s edible! I love having fresh herbs handy! Doesn’t quite solve world hunger, haha, but it’s a nice plant anyway.
Butterflyweed says
I vote Cyclamen. While they are outdoor plants, they do fine in my north facing kitchen window. They are cheap, easy to grow, and have pretty bright colored blooms. I have kept one my daughter gave me for 2 years and it has bloomed the entire time. Not sure about air pollution control, but I guess all plants do that to a certain extent.
kcb says
What is the name of the plant at the very top of this article?
Tami says
I agree with previous poster, Pothos. So little maintenance, likes light, or not, likes water, or not. You can actually let it dry out completely between waterings, mine go 3 weeks at a time. Will grow nice long runners if you let it. You can make new plants from a runner, just like strawberries. Frugal gals’ dream plant 🙂
Peace Lily loves Defenbakia, they flower and really enjoy eachothers company in my closet, I converted to a cubby. They get very little light. Water only when the lily starts to get droopy.
Denise says
Love houseplants…grew them like weeds until I moved to Texas. Now I just kill ’em, lol. Truthfully, I loved my philodendron. Be careful if you have pets, though, Mavis. English Ivy’s gorgeous, but poisonous, and I think Peace Lily is as well. My philo grew like crazy–very low maintenance, water every week or ten days, if you’re in an environment with any humidity to it. Cut it back once in a while and it gets very lush and full. In fact, if you don’t like the shape of it, you can lop the whole thing off down to the soil and it will start all over again.
Emily says
My vote is for the orchid! I love mine and it’s not true that they only bloom once. Mine blooms once a year around my birthday. It’s getting ready for it’s 3rd year of blooming right now. They’re gorgeous and pet safe. Only danger is they’re a little addictive. Once I find space I’m going to get another one.
Rebecca says
Hi Mavis,
If you are looking for something unusual, beautiful, and with an iron constitution, I recommend Clivia. They are very easy to grow in all kinds of light conditions and also thrive on neglect. They typically flower orange or yellow. I had an orange one for years and years – – – not sure how it finally met its demise. It loved the heat in my kitchen.
http://www.northamericancliviasociety.org/home.php
Gwen in L.A. says
As a fellow gardener, I suggest trying several smaller plants and see which florishes in your kitchen.
I have a “Christmas” cactus on top of my fridge, and an African Violet. Both do well and bloom better there than anywhere else in the house. For the AV, that was a real surprise.
Jen Y says
I love my begonias but they’re really too big for a kitchen window. The main one I keep in my window is African violet – though I think ivy is a good choice. Are they HOA approved for window sill? 😉
Evelyn says
The most common – and “neglectable” houseplant in Germany is probably one called “Kalanchoe” – which is the same in English, or called Flammendes Käthchen, meaning “Flaming/ Burning Katie”, it’s a succulent that has quite pretty flowers. When I asked for a houseplant that would need minimal tending, this is what was suggested to me, and apparently it’s so easy to tend to that it’s a favourite plant to buy for someone in a nursing home…