These potted plants are perfect for the kitchen: they absorb cooking fumes, protect your health, and make cooking more enjoyable
The kitchen is an unavoidable part of daily life. Busy in the kitchen every day, the grease and cooking fumes not only leave you looking sallow and thin, but even the potted plants placed in the kitchen cannot escape their fate, mostly wilting and looking listless. Therefore, to keep the kitchen environment fresher, placing the right potted plants in the kitchen is very important. They can not only absorb cooking fumes and purify the air, but also refresh your eyes and mind, and even make the dishes you cook taste better. So, which potted plants are suitable for the kitchen? Below we introduce some potted plants suitable for placing in the kitchen. Let's take a look together.
1. Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' (Chinese evergreen)
The leaves of Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' have beautiful patterns. It truly deserves the name "Queen" - it simply looks different from other plants. Moreover, its air-purifying ability is super strong, so it would be a real loss not to place one in the kitchen. Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' likes moisture and tolerates partial shade. It can also be grown hydroponically; just remember to change the water once a week. Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' likes to grow in environments with humid air and partial shade. Once the air is too dry and sunlight is unobstructed, and if the temperature is above 30°C, it is very easy to cause the leaf tips of Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' to wither. When cultivating outdoors in summer, pay attention to shading so the light is not too strong, otherwise sunburn is very likely. When overwintering indoors in a greenhouse in winter, pay attention to lighting to prevent the leaf color from fading due to insufficient light. Do not let water accumulate in the pot of Aglaonema 'Silver Queen' (watering too frequently), as this easily causes root rot. It is best to water only when you see the potting soil is dry. If the pot is relatively deep, the watering frequency should be reduced even more. In summer, you can appropriately water and spray more to maintain humidity. There is a saying: "Whether it lives or not depends on water," which shows the importance of watering. A lack of water can be made up for, but once water accumulates and roots rot, it is very difficult to remedy.
2. Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden pothos is simply a divine existence - it is found everywhere. Yes, today it is here again to absorb cooking fumes. We all know that golden pothos likes partial shade environments and is especially suitable for the kitchen at home. Because it can absorb grease and carbon monoxide, and it is also very easy to clean - just wipe it with a damp cloth and it immediately shines. Every time you cook and see the bright greenery, it feels like life is full of vitality. When caring for it, you can place it in a ventilated spot, such as the windowsill by the sink, or you can choose to hang it. Golden pothos prefers moisture and should be watered once every 2-3 days. Generally, newly purchased golden pothos has an adaptation period of about 1 month in a new environment, and yellow leaves at the bottom are normal. However, remember: do not directly peel off yellow or dead leaves. Cut them off from the middle of the leaf stalk. This avoids excessive water loss and extra wounds caused by direct peeling, which can cause the upper leaves to turn yellow as well. Although golden pothos is not afraid of shade, a very dark environment can also cause yellow leaves, so you can periodically move it to a place with good light; at the same time, it cannot be exposed to intense sun. Excessive exposure to strong light will not only cause yellow leaves and leaf drop, but can also lead to the death of the whole plant. If the potting soil is too dry or too wet, both conditions will cause metabolic disorders, damage the root system, and lead to yellow leaves and leaf drop. Too much topdressing can also easily cause root burn, leading to yellowing and withering leaves. You can dilute the fertilizer with water so the nutrients flow away with the water.
3. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Besides golden pothos and Aglaonema 'Silver Queen', spider plant is also a very good kitchen flower. It can filter out carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and other substances, making the air fresher and cleaner. It is simply the "fresh and lovely" plant among plants. Spider plant likes moisture and diffused light environments. You can place it in a ventilated and bright place, avoid intense sun, water once every 2-3 days, and spray water on the leaves. Although spider plant is a semi-shade flower, it still needs at least four hours of diffused light every day, otherwise chlorophyll decreases and the leaves turn yellow. Poor air permeability and water permeability of the potting soil, with the soil waterlogged and not drying for a long time, makes root respiration difficult and causes yellow leaves. Loosen the soil in time and control moisture. If the pot and soil have not been changed for a long time, the various nutrient elements contained in the potting soil have been exhausted, and the three major elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium have not been replenished in time. The plant lacks nutrients and the leaves appear thin and yellow. Replace with fertile loam in time and water with alum fertilizer water. Too much fertilizer exceeds the plant's needs. At first the leaves are shiny and uneven, then the root system rots and the leaves turn yellow. Stop fertilizing, water more with clear water, or repot and clean the roots, replacing with new soil. Long-term watering that does not soak through causes the roots to lose water, and the lower old leaves turn yellow. Water thoroughly and keep the potting soil warm and moist.
4. Small scallions (small green onions)
Things like small scallions are better planted in the kitchen than in the ground. They can not only be enjoyed as ornamentals, but also picked at will and tossed into the pot - good-looking and convenient. Small scallions with roots can have their bottom ends cut off and buried directly in soil, watered once every 2-3 days, and placed by the window, and they will soon grow out. Growing a pot of small scallions in your own kitchen is not only attractive as a green potted plant to admire, but also edible as an ingredient for stir-frying - truly endless fun. After sowing small scallions and before they grow leaves, keep the soil moist; when small scallions grow to about 15 cm, ensure sufficient water to promote rapid growth; in the mid-growth stage, water can be appropriately reduced. For growing small scallions, fertilize once every ten days. The fertilizer can be ordinary compound fertilizer or flower fertilizer. The most economical and practical fertilizer is rice-washing water. Rice-washing water is not only environmentally friendly, but also provides water and nutrients. It is very suitable as fertilizer for small scallions.
5. Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)
The calla lily can be said to be a plant that is "presentable in the living room and practical in the kitchen." It looks pure and elegant, blooming with pure white flowers, and placing it in the kitchen can simply brighten your mood. If growing calla lily in soil, water once every 3-5 days. It can also be grown hydroponically, changing the water once every 15-20 days, adding nutrient solution to the water once a week, and placing it in a ventilated place with sufficient sunlight. For growing calla lily, the potting soil should preferably be sandy acidic soil with good air permeability and drainage. It is best to put a layer of coarse sand particles at the bottom of the pot to benefit the growth of the calla lily, then mix in one third garden soil and leaf mold, and add a small amount of organic fertilizer. The pot for planting calla lily should preferably be a shallow pot. Watering calla lily should be based on the dryness of the potting soil. Before watering, first check the condition of the potting soil. Usually you can spray water on the surface of the potting soil and the flowers to keep the potting soil moist. During the growth period, calla lily likes sufficient moisture. Frequently sprinkle water on the leaves and ground, and pay attention to keeping the leaves clean. During the growth period of calla lily, fertilize once every 20 days, using decomposed soybean cake water. In the peak growth season, apply light fertilizer frequently, once every 10 days. When fertilizing, do not pour fertilizer water in from the leaf sheaths, to avoid causing the calla lily to rot and die. Too little fertilizer may cause yellowing leaves and malnutrition, while too much fertilizer can also easily cause yellow leaves in calla lily.
6. Inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina)
The leaves of the inch plant are purple, and its vitality is very strong. It can casually grow into a waterfall in the kitchen - a feast for the eyes. Inch plants like humid environments. Water once every 2-3 days to keep the potting soil moist, and apply nitrogen fertilizer once a month. If there is too much light, it tends to grow leggy, so it is best to place it in a ventilated place with diffused light. The inch plant does not have high soil requirements, but grows better in fertile, loose soil. It is advisable to use a mix of 40% leaf mold, 40% garden soil, and 20% river sand. The inch plant is afraid of direct strong light, so it needs to be kept in partial shade, or shaded by 70%. When kept indoors, place it in a bright place as much as possible. The inch plant has high fertilizer and water requirements, but it is most afraid of indiscriminate fertilizing, concentrated fertilizer, and one-sided application of nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium fertilizer. It should follow the fertilization (watering) principle of "light fertilizer applied frequently, small amounts and many times, complete nutrition." For inch plants that have been cultivated for too long, the leaves at the base often fall off, affecting their ornamental value. At this time, prune away the excessively long branches and leaves to encourage new buds to sprout from the base of the stems and grow new branches and leaves.
7. Garlic sprouts
Garlic sprouts are similar to small scallions - plant them casually and they will survive, simply an endless supply of ingredients. This fits the concept of "low carbon and environmental protection" very well. Both soil culture and hydroponics work. Place them by the window, keep them moist, and the seedlings will grow vigorously, ready for the pot in one or two months. When growing in pots, choosing sprouted garlic is more conducive to making a potted plant. Peel off the garlic cloves and place them in a small container; you can also peel off the outermost skin of the garlic head to directly expose the cloves and place them in a larger container. Just after planting, add water directly, soaking past the bottom of the garlic, which helps rooting. After that, generally change the water once every 1-2 days to keep the water fresh. In the early stage, you can go 3 consecutive days without changing the water to help it stabilize. After rooting and stabilizing, the frequency of changing water can be higher. Generally after hydroponics, roots can appear the same day, and green can be seen after 2-4 days. Once grown, the green garlic sprouts can be harvested directly, and you can taste the pollution-free vegetables you grew yourself. Generally they can be harvested 2-3 times in succession. For the first few harvests, you can take only the white stems above the garlic cloves, and for the last harvest, pull them up with the roots.
8. Mint
Mint is not only a good potted plant, but also a good ingredient. When the dish is ready to come out of the pot, toss in two leaves and it instantly becomes fragrant. Find a few small buckets and hang them by the wall, stuff them full of mint, and life becomes fragrant too. During care, pinch off the tips frequently so the mint bushes out more. Herbs like moisture, so spray them often to keep the texture tender and fresh. Mint does not have very strict soil requirements. Apart from overly sandy, overly clayey, excessively acidic or alkaline soils, and low-lying poorly drained soil, it can generally be grown in ordinary soil, with sandy loam and alluvial soil being better. The suitable soil pH is 6-7.5. Mint likes a moist soil environment and tolerates moisture relatively well. Especially during the growth period, keep the soil moist, but the amount of water must not be too large, and waterlogging is strictly prohibited. When watering normally, maintain the habit of "do not water until dry, and when watering, water thoroughly." If you use rice-washing water, it will be even more beneficial to mint growth. In winter, reduce the frequency and amount of watering. Growing mint requires fertilizer, and mint likes fertilizer. During its growth period, apply fertilizer once a month, mainly nitrogen fertilizer, with appropriate phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. If branches and leaves need to be harvested during the growth period, fertilize at the time of harvest to promote the plant's recovery to a good shape.
[Editor's conclusion] Golden pothos, Aglaonema 'Silver Queen', spider plant, and others are common potted plants in daily life and are very suitable for keeping in the kitchen. They can not only absorb cooking fumes, but also green the environment and freshen the air, making the kitchen environment more beautiful.