FeastHome – Cultivating indoor plants has become a huge trend with the millennial generation. This love of nature with limited space has created a unique subculture of indoor gardeners. Even interior designers are using indoor plants as key decor elements.
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In the kitchen, indoor plants can be both fashionable and functional. Choosing edible plants and eye-catching herbs can add a gorgeous aroma to the air and flavor to a variety of dishes and cocktails.
Here are some of the best indoor plants for your kitchen.
Lavender
Lavender can be challenging to grow indoors, but with a fair amount of bright light and some TLC, this stunning plant will thrive. Lavender has long been used in aromatherapy for its soft, calming scent. It’s beautiful purple stalks also make for a great decor piece.
You can use lavender in a variety of baked goods. It pairs exceptionally with lemon and vanilla flavors in cookies and cakes. You can also dry lavender and store it in an airtight container for future use before the plant goes to seed.
Lemon Mint
Lemon mint is a hybrid of two of the cleanest, freshest scents known to humankind. With fragrant, delicate leaves, lemon mint is the perfect plant to keep on hand in a kitchen. This hardy herb practically grows itself and can adapt to almost any environment. Grow it in a mason jar, upcycled teapot, or stylish planter to tie it into your decor.
You can use lemon mint to make your own herbal tea or add it to both savory and sweet dishes. Lemon mint is a great addition to lamb and roast, as well as Asian and Greek-inspired cuisine.
Miniature Roses
Miniature roses are one of the few breeds of roses that will successfully grow indoors. These are a great potted plant for kitchens with Western or Southern facing windows that get plenty of light. While potted roses can be needy, the key is to ensure it has plenty of warmth, light, and humidity.
Roses are a common addition to baked goods, such as cakes and pastries. They have a light floral taste that adds a touch of sweetness. You can also add roses to white wine cocktails, like sangrias and spritzers.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a common kitchen herb that’s included in any basic spice rack. It’s incredibly aromatic and wonderful in a variety of savory dishes, particularly poultry. Its leaves are reminiscent of evergreen trees, inspiring florists to use this herb as greenery in vibrant spring and fall bouquets.
This herb prefers warm climates and requires well-draining soil. Add some river rocks to the bottom of your pot to ensure the roots stay dry and don’t rot. When it grows in the wild, rosemary absorbs humidity from the air— another reason why it’s ideal for the kitchen. Water infrequently and trim the roots as they start to outgrow the pot.
Thyme
Thyme is another popular herb used in savory dishes and cocktails. This herb has small, delicate leaves that are similar to a deciduous tree, presenting an opportunity to grow a small, aromatic forest in your kitchen. Use this herb for poultry dishes, cocktails, and herbal tea.
Rosemary and thyme come from the same region and require the same care. As such, they grow well together when sharing a pot. The combination of the two plants creates an exotic, spicy scent and looks fantastic.
Pansies
Pansies are another common floral ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. You can use these delicate petals to press into shortbread cookies or to garnish spicy stews and pasta dishes.
Potted pansies require bright light and frequent watering to thrive. Use well-draining soil with a high sand content to ensure proper drainage and prevent root rot. This pretty bloom also looks great in a hanging pot or mesh basket, particularly in front of a kitchen window.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus flowers are a tropical plant with incredible blooms that come in a variety of bright colors. This plant is commonly used in herbal tea and cocktails, as well as in spicy Mexican dishes, like quesadillas and tacos. The pop of color and bold taste is a great addition to any dish.
Like many tropical plants, the hibiscus needs a lot of sun and warmth to thrive. This is a perfect potted plant for kitchens with Western and Southern windows. While the hibiscus plant can grow into a tree in the wild, it adapts to its surroundings— keeping it in a small pot will ensure it stays at a manageable height. You can also trim your hibiscus to get the growth and shape you desire.
Use these plants in your kitchen for a decor element that looks, smells, and tastes great.
