15 Best Kitchen Plants | Best Kitchen Plants as per Vastu
The best kitchen plants for Indian homes are tulsi, mint, curry leaf, lemongrass, coriander, parsley, chillies and aloe vera for cooking, plus pothos, snake plant, spider plant and ZZ plant for greenery in dim corners. Vastu Shastra traditionally favours tulsi and money plant near the kitchen. Herbs need a bright window; foliage plants cope with less.
Quick facts
| Plant | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Tulsi / basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum, O. basilicum) | 4-6 hours of direct sun; keep soil lightly moist; listed as non-toxic to pets by the ASPCA. |
| Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) | Needs a sunny window or balcony, not a dark kitchen; water regularly in summer, sparingly in winter. |
| Mint (Mentha species) | Morning sun or bright indirect light; moist but never soggy soil; grow in its own pot as it spreads. |
| Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) | Full sun; better on a balcony than a counter; clumps reach 1-1.5 m; protect from cold below 10°C. |
| Aloe vera | Bright light, gritty free-draining mix; water every 10-15 days in summer, monthly in winter; toxic to cats and dogs. |
| Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) | Tolerates low light; water every 2-3 weeks in summer, 4-6 weeks in winter; toxic to pets. |
| Pothos / money plant (Epipremnum aureum) | Medium to bright indirect light, tolerates less; let the top 2-3 cm dry out; toxic to pets. |
| Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) | Bright indirect light, no harsh midday sun; non-toxic to cats and dogs; easy to propagate from plantlets. |
Best kitchen plants to grow in India
From mint for chutney to curry leaves for tadka, most Indian kitchen staples grow happily in a pot. The trick is matching each plant to the light you actually have: edible herbs need sun, foliage plants do not.
| Plant | Light needed | Use | Safe around pets? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil / tulsi | 4-6 hrs direct sun | Edible, tea, puja | Yes |
| Lemongrass | Full sun | Edible, tea | Listed as toxic to cats |
| Mint | Morning sun / bright indirect | Edible | Toxic in quantity |
| Aloe vera | Bright light | Gel for minor burns | No |
| Snake plant | Low to bright indirect | Foliage | No |
| Curry leaf | 4-6 hrs direct sun | Edible | Not listed by the ASPCA |
| Rosemary | 6 hrs direct sun | Edible, aroma | Yes |
| English ivy | Bright, cool spot | Trailing foliage | No |
| Pothos | Medium indirect | Trailing foliage | No |
| Parsley / coriander | 4-5 hrs sun | Edible | Parsley toxic in quantity |
| Spider plant | Bright indirect | Foliage, hanging | Yes |
| Heartleaf philodendron | Medium indirect | Trailing foliage | No |
| ZZ plant | Low to medium indirect | Foliage | No |
| Prayer plant | Bright indirect, humid | Foliage | Yes |
| Chillies | 6 hrs direct sun | Edible | Fruit irritates pets |
1. Basil (tulsi)
Easy to grow and useful every day. Sweet basil flavours pasta and pesto; tulsi goes into kadha and tea. Both want a bright, sunny windowsill.
Buy a basil plant | Read care tips
2. Lemongrass
Tall green stalks with a sweet, citrusy flavour for chai, soups and curries. It is a sun lover, so give it your brightest spot or a balcony.
Buy a lemongrass plant | Read care tips
3. Mint
Pudina for chutney, raita, nimbu pani and iced tea. Mint wants moist, well-drained soil and a spot out of the harsh afternoon sun.
Buy a mint plant | Read care tips
4. Aloe vera
A tough succulent for a bright window. The leaf gel is traditionally applied to minor kitchen burns after cooling the skin under running water.
Buy an aloe vera plant | Read care tips
5. Snake plant
The most forgiving plant on this list. It copes with low light and long gaps between waterings, and its upright leaves take up almost no counter space.
Buy a snake plant | Read care tips
6. Curry leaf plant
No tadka is complete without kadi patta. The curry leaf tree is hardy, but it needs sun and regular watering through summer to keep producing leaves.
Buy a curry leaf plant | Read care tips
7. Rosemary
Aromatic needles that scent the whole kitchen. Rosemary is the fussiest herb here in the Indian plains: it wants full sun, gritty soil and dry air.
Buy a rosemary plant | Read care tips
8. English ivy
A classic trailing plant for a hanging basket or the top of a cabinet. It needs a cool, bright spot, so it suits AC kitchens and hill-station homes best.
Buy an English ivy plant | Read care tips
9. Pothos
The money plant: shiny vines that trail off a shelf without stealing counter space, and the easiest choice for a kitchen with little natural light.
Buy a pothos plant | Read care tips
10. Parsley (and coriander)
Parsley and coriander are two different herbs, both grown the same way: a sunny sill, a deep pot and evenly moist soil. Dhania is best sown in the cool months.
Buy a parsley plant | Read care tips
11. Spider plant
Arching striped leaves and free baby plants. It looks good on a sill, a cabinet top or in a hanging pot, and it is safe around cats and dogs.
Buy a spider plant | Read care tips
12. Heartleaf philodendron
Low-maintenance and lovely in hanging baskets. New leaves open bronze and mature to deep green, and it forgives the odd missed watering.
Buy a heartleaf philodendron | Read care tips
13. ZZ plant
If you forget to water, this is your plant. Thick rhizomes store water, so it shrugs off weeks of neglect in medium or low light.
Buy a ZZ plant | Read care tips
14. Prayer plant
Hand-painted looking leaves that fold up at night. It loves the steam of a working kitchen, so it is a genuine match for the room.
Buy a calathea (prayer plant relative) | Read care tips
15. Chillies
Fresh mirchi from your own pot. Chillies are cheap to grow and keep cropping for a couple of years, provided they get real sunshine.
Buy a chilli plant | Read care tips
How to grow each kitchen plant
1. Basil (tulsi): care tips
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) and tulsi or holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) are related but not the same plant: basil is the milder culinary herb, tulsi the stronger, clove-scented one used in tea and worship.
- Light: 4-6 hours of direct sun. A south or west-facing kitchen window works; in peak summer in the plains, screen it from the 12-4 pm glare.
- Water: when the top 2 cm of soil is dry. Daily checks in summer, far less during the monsoon and winter.
- Harvest: pinch the growing tips and remove flower spikes on sweet basil so the plant keeps making leaves.
- Pets: the ASPCA lists basil as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
In Vastu Shastra, tulsi is considered auspicious and is traditionally placed in the north or north-east of the home, often on a balcony or courtyard rather than beside the stove.
2. Lemongrass: care tips
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is made for the Indian climate, but it is a full-sun grass rather than a low-light houseplant. A clump reaches 1-1.5 m, so give it a wide pot on a balcony or a very bright window and cut stalks into the kitchen as needed.
- Light: at least 5-6 hours of direct sun for thick, aromatic stalks.
- Water: keep the soil moist through summer; ease off in the monsoon and winter.
- Cold: in north India, trim the clump back and move it to a sheltered spot when temperatures drop below about 10°C.
- Propagation: split an existing clump, or root a fresh market stalk in a glass of water.
- Pets: the ASPCA lists lemon grass as toxic to cats.
3. Mint: care tips
Mint is the most generous herb you can keep near the sink, and the small purple, pink or white flowers are a bonus. The scent comes from the leaves, so harvest often.
- Light: morning sun or bright indirect light. Full afternoon sun in summer scorches the leaves.
- Soil and water: moist, well-drained soil that never sits waterlogged. Mint wilts fast when dry and rots when soggy.
- Pot: grow it alone. Runners take over any pot they share.
- Feeding: a handful of compost every 6-8 weeks in the growing season is enough.
- Pets: the ASPCA lists garden mint as toxic to cats and dogs if eaten in quantity.
4. Aloe vera: care tips
Aloe gel is a long-standing home remedy for minor burns and scrapes. Hold the burn under cool running water first, then apply gel from a freshly cut outer leaf. Anything more than a small superficial burn needs medical attention, not a houseplant.
- Light: bright light, including a few hours of direct sun.
- Soil: gritty, free-draining cactus mix in a pot with drainage holes.
- Water: every 10-15 days in summer, roughly monthly in winter, and much less during the monsoon.
- Pets: aloe is listed as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach.
5. Snake plant: care tips
The snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria) is the right answer for a busy kitchen. It is taller than it is wide, so it fits into a corner most plants cannot use.
- Light: tolerates low light, but grows faster and keeps better colour in bright indirect light.
- Water: every 2-3 weeks in summer and only every 4-6 weeks in winter. It still needs water, just rarely; overwatering is the usual cause of death.
- Pets: toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.
- Note: it does not repel flies or ants. Use a covered bin and an exhaust fan for that.
6. Curry leaf plant: care tips
The kadi patta you cook with is Murraya koenigii, a small Indian tree. (The Mediterranean "curry plant", Helichrysum italicum, smells similar but is not used in Indian cooking.) It is hardy, but it is not a no-care plant.
- Light: 4-6 hours of direct sun. A sunny balcony or kitchen window, never a dark corner.
- Water: regularly in summer once the top soil dries; cut right back in winter, when it may drop leaves in north India.
- Soil: well-drained soil with compost mixed in; feed monthly through the growing season.
- Shape: pinch the tips regularly so the plant bushes out instead of running up as a thin stick.
7. Rosemary: care tips
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) perfumes the kitchen and is excellent with potatoes and breads. Be realistic, though: it is a dry-climate Mediterranean shrub and is the hardest plant on this list to keep alive in the humid plains.
- Light: at least 6 hours of direct sun, so a balcony beats a counter.
- Soil and water: gritty, sharply drained mix; water only when the top few centimetres are dry. Wet feet and humid, still air cause root rot and mildew.
- Season: it does best from October to February in the north; during the monsoon, move it under cover with good airflow.
- Pets: the ASPCA lists rosemary as non-toxic.
8. English ivy: care tips
English ivy (Hedera helix) makes a handsome hanging or cabinet-top plant, and the trailing stems save counter space. It is a temperate plant, so it does best in cool, bright conditions, below roughly 27°C.
- Light: bright indirect light. Variegated types fade and grow leggy in deep shade.
- Water: let the top of the compost dry before watering again.
- Heat: in Delhi, Jaipur or Chennai summers, it struggles and attracts spider mites. An air-conditioned room or a shaded, breezy window helps.
- Pets and skin: toxic if eaten, and the sap can irritate skin. Keep it above counter height.
9. Pothos: care tips
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), sold across India as money plant, is the most reliable trailing plant for a kitchen. Train it along a cabinet top or grow a cutting in a bottle of water by the window.
- Light: medium to bright indirect light. It survives low light, but growth slows and the vines go leggy with smaller leaves.
- Water: let the top 2-3 cm dry out between waterings; reduce sharply in winter.
- Vastu: money plant is traditionally associated with prosperity and is often placed in the south-east of a room.
- Pets: toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.
10. Parsley (and coriander): care tips
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and coriander or dhania (Coriandrum sativum) are different herbs from the same family, and both are easiest from seed sown straight into the final pot.
- Light: 4-5 hours of sun on a bright sill.
- Soil and water: a deep pot with drainage holes, kept evenly moist. Constantly soggy compost causes root rot; drying out completely causes bolting.
- Season: in the plains, sow coriander from October to February. It runs to seed quickly once temperatures cross the mid-30s.
- Harvest: cut outer stems at the base so the centre keeps producing.
- Pets: the ASPCA lists parsley as toxic to cats and dogs in large amounts.
11. Spider plant: care tips
With spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum), less is more. They suit a windowsill, a cabinet top or a hanging pot, and each plantlet on a runner can be potted up for free.
- Light: bright indirect light; harsh midday sun bleaches the leaves.
- Water: when the top of the compost dries. Brown leaf tips usually mean hard water, dry air or fertiliser build-up.
- Pets: non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it one of the safest picks here.
- Air quality: it was among the species tested in NASA's 1989 chamber study, but that does not translate into measurable cleaning of a real kitchen (see the FAQs).
12. Heartleaf philodendron: care tips
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is a low-maintenance trailing plant that looks good all year. New leaves open bronze before turning deep green, and mature plants occasionally produce small greenish-white flowers.
- Light: bright to medium indirect light, much like pothos.
- Water: allow the top few centimetres to dry; it is reasonably drought-tolerant.
- Pets: toxic to cats and dogs; the sap can irritate mouths and skin.
13. ZZ plant: care tips
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), sometimes called the Zanzibar gem, is as close to indestructible as a houseplant gets. Water-storing rhizomes let it sail through weeks of neglect.
- Light: medium indirect light is ideal; it tolerates low light but grows very slowly there. It still needs some daylight.
- Water: every 2-3 weeks in summer, roughly monthly in winter. Yellowing stems mean too much water, not too little.
- Pets: toxic if chewed.
14. Prayer plant: care tips
The prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) has leaves that look hand-painted, with pink veins over dark and apple-green markings. They fold upward at night, which is how it got its name. Calatheas, sold under the same nickname, need identical care.
- Light: bright indirect light only; direct sun burns the markings away.
- Humidity: the steam of a working kitchen suits it. Crisp brown edges point to dry air or hard water.
- Water: keep lightly moist, never soggy; filtered or stored rainwater gives the best leaves.
- Pets: non-toxic to cats and dogs.
15. Chillies: care tips
Chillies (Capsicum species) are cheap to raise from seed and keep cropping for two to three years in warm parts of India. They will only flower and fruit with real sunshine, so a dim kitchen sill will give you leaves and nothing else.
- Light: 6 hours of direct sun. A balcony rail or the sunniest window.
- Sowing: February-March and again in June-July in most of the country.
- Water: once or twice a week, whenever the top soil dries; feed while flowering.
- Care: capsaicin stings eyes and irritates pets, so wash your hands after picking.
How to keep kitchen plants alive in an Indian kitchen
- Keep pots at least half a metre from gas burners. Dry heat and flame scorch leaves quickly.
- Wipe leaves with a damp cloth every fortnight. Cooking grease and haldi dust settle on foliage and block light.
- Run the exhaust fan or open a window while cooking. Ventilation, not plants, is what clears cooking fumes.
- Water by season: check herbs daily in summer, cut watering roughly in half during the monsoon, and water sparingly in winter.
- Use pots with drainage holes and empty the saucer. Standing water rots roots and breeds mosquitoes.
- Inspect monthly for fungus gnats, mealybugs and spider mites, especially under leaves. Soggy compost is the usual invitation.
- If your kitchen is dim, rotate plants to a balcony or bright window for a few days every fortnight.
What are the Vastu benefits of kitchen plants?
Vastu Shastra is a traditional Indian system of architecture concerned with harmony between a home and nature. These are beliefs rather than tested horticultural facts, but many Indian households like to follow them.
Clearing negative energy: greenery is believed to absorb negativity and bring calm into a busy room. Practitioners usually suggest healthy, well-kept plants; drooping or dying plants are considered inauspicious.
Boosting prosperity: money plant (pothos) is associated with prosperity and grows happily in kitchen light, which is why it is such a common choice.
Balancing the elements: the kitchen is linked with Agni, the fire element, and is traditionally placed in the south-east. A living plant, representing earth, is believed to balance that fire energy. Tulsi is usually recommended for the north or north-east of the home rather than beside the stove.
The benefits of keeping plants in the kitchen
Fresh herbs on tap: basil, mint, coriander, curry leaves and chillies are picked minutes before they go into the pan, which beats anything wilting in the fridge drawer.
Pleasant aromas: brushing past mint, rosemary or lemongrass releases their scent. (Eucalyptus is often suggested for fragrance, but it is a large outdoor tree and rarely thrives as a kitchen pot plant.)
A little extra humidity: plants release moisture through transpiration. A group of pots can take the edge off dry winter air, though the effect from a few plants is small.
Fewer bare corners, not fewer pests: despite popular claims, potted mint, rosemary or snake plants do not reliably keep flies and ants away. Covered bins, clean counters and mesh screens do. Overwatered pots can actually attract fungus gnats.
Air quality, honestly: the often-quoted NASA Clean Air Study (1989) tested plants in small sealed chambers, not homes. A 2019 review of that research concluded that potted plants have little measurable effect on indoor air in real rooms. Gas cooking releases fumes far faster than plants can absorb anything, so rely on your chimney or exhaust fan and treat plants as decoration and produce.
Aesthetics: a pot of green on the sill softens tiles and steel, and makes a small Indian kitchen feel far more pleasant to spend an hour in.
Conclusion
For flavour, start with basil or tulsi, mint, lemongrass and curry leaves; no Indian tadka is complete without kadi patta. For a small kitchen, English ivy, pothos and heartleaf philodendron trail from cabinets without using counter space. If you like heat in your food, add a chilli plant on the sunniest sill.
For corners with little light and less attention, spider plants, snake plants and ZZ plants are the safe bets. Keep aloe vera within reach of the stove for minor burns, and check the toxicity column before choosing if you have cats or dogs at home.
Browse more easy-care options in our indoor plants range, or pick up matching ceramic pots. You can also explore plants across our full store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to put plants in the kitchen?
Yes. Kitchens are warm and humid, which suits herbs, pothos, spider plants and prayer plants. Keep pots away from open flames and hot oil, wipe grease off leaves regularly, and choose sun-loving herbs only if you have a bright window or balcony.
Which plant is good for the kitchen as per Vastu?
Tulsi and money plant are the two most commonly recommended in Vastu Shastra, as beliefs rather than proven facts. Tulsi is traditionally placed in the north or north-east where it gets plenty of sun; money plant is associated with prosperity and tolerates dimmer kitchen light.
Where should I put plants in my kitchen?
On the windowsill for herbs, which need the most light, and on cabinet tops or hanging hooks for trailing plants like pothos and ivy. Keep everything at least half a metre from the burners, and avoid the splash zone around the stove and sink.
Can I put plants above my kitchen cabinets?
Yes, and trailing plants look best there. Pothos, heartleaf philodendron, spider plant and English ivy all cope with the medium light at that height. Use a light plastic pot inside a decorative cover, and take it down for watering so nothing drips onto cabinets.
Do kitchen plants purify the air?
Barely. The 1989 NASA Clean Air Study tested plants in sealed chambers, and a 2019 review found houseplants have little measurable effect on air in real rooms. Ventilation and your kitchen chimney remove cooking fumes; plants are for produce, humidity and good looks.
Which kitchen plants are safe for cats and dogs?
Spider plant, prayer plant, rosemary and basil are listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA. Aloe vera, snake plant, pothos, philodendron, ZZ plant and English ivy are toxic if chewed, so keep them on high shelves or skip them if your pet nibbles plants.
Can I grow kitchen herbs in India without a balcony?
Yes, if you have a window that gets four or more hours of sun. Mint, coriander and basil manage on a bright sill. Lemongrass, curry leaf, rosemary and chillies need stronger light, so grow those in a grille planter or on a terrace instead.
How often should I water kitchen plants?
By season, not by schedule. In summer, check herbs daily and water when the top 2 cm of soil is dry. During the monsoon, water far less and improve drainage. In winter, most foliage plants need water only every two to four weeks.