Plants to Put on Top of Kitchen Cabinets A Guide

Top Kitchen Cabinet Plants

Adding greenery to your kitchen can bring life and vibrancy to the space, and placing plants on top of kitchen cabinets is a popular choice. This elevated position not only adds visual interest but also allows you to showcase your plants while keeping them out of reach of curious pets or small children.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Plants

Choosing the right plants for your kitchen cabinets requires careful consideration of several factors.

• Light Requirements: Kitchen cabinets often receive indirect sunlight, so selecting plants that thrive in low to medium light conditions is essential. Avoid plants that require direct sunlight, as they may struggle to flourish in this environment.
• Humidity Tolerance: Kitchens can experience fluctuating humidity levels, especially during cooking. Opt for plants that are adaptable to varying humidity conditions, as they will be better suited to this environment.
• Pest Resistance: Plants in kitchens are susceptible to pests attracted by food particles and spills. Selecting pest-resistant varieties can minimize the risk of infestations and keep your plants healthy.

Popular Plants for Kitchen Cabinets

Several plants are well-suited for placement on top of kitchen cabinets, offering a balance of aesthetics and practicality.

• Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): Known for its air-purifying qualities and ability to tolerate low light and infrequent watering, the snake plant is an excellent choice for busy kitchens. Its striking vertical foliage adds a touch of modern elegance to the space.
• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Another low-maintenance option, the ZZ plant is highly drought-tolerant and can thrive in low-light conditions. Its glossy, dark green leaves add a touch of tropical flair to the kitchen.
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): A popular choice for beginners, the spider plant is known for its air-purifying properties and ease of care. Its cascading foliage, with its distinctive spiderettes (baby plants), adds a touch of whimsy to the kitchen.
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): This elegant plant features large, white spathes (modified leaves) that resemble lilies. It prefers low to medium light and can tolerate some humidity, making it suitable for kitchens. However, it is sensitive to cold drafts, so it’s best to place it away from windows or air vents.
• Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior): As its name suggests, the cast iron plant is remarkably hardy and can tolerate low light, infrequent watering, and even neglect. Its dark green leaves add a touch of sophistication to the kitchen.

Tips for Selecting Plants That Complement Your Kitchen’s Design

• Color Palette: Choose plants with foliage colors that complement the existing color scheme of your kitchen. For example, if your kitchen has a warm, earthy tone, consider plants with brown, orange, or yellow foliage. For a modern kitchen, plants with silvery or gray leaves can add a touch of sophistication.
• Texture: Plants with different textures can add visual interest to your kitchen cabinets. For example, plants with smooth, glossy leaves can contrast with plants with rough, textured leaves.
• Height and Shape: Consider the height and shape of your plants to create a balanced and visually appealing arrangement on top of your cabinets. For example, tall, slender plants can add vertical interest, while cascading plants can soften the edges of your cabinets.

Creating a Thriving Kitchen Cabinet Garden

Adding plants to the top of your kitchen cabinets can significantly enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal and create a more welcoming atmosphere. The verdant foliage adds a touch of nature to your kitchen, while the plants themselves can contribute to a healthier indoor environment by purifying the air. Beyond aesthetics, a kitchen cabinet garden can bring a sense of tranquility and rejuvenation, making your kitchen a more pleasant space to spend time in.

Preparing Your Kitchen Cabinets for Plants

Before placing your plants on top of your kitchen cabinets, it’s crucial to ensure they have the necessary conditions to thrive. This involves creating a suitable environment for them, including adequate drainage and sufficient light exposure.

• Drainage: Plants require proper drainage to prevent root rot. You can achieve this by using pots with drainage holes and placing them on saucers or trays to catch excess water. You can also line the pots with a layer of gravel or pebbles for improved drainage.
• Light Exposure: Most indoor plants need bright, indirect light. Consider the location of your kitchen cabinets and the amount of natural light they receive. If your cabinets are in a dark corner, you may need to supplement with artificial lighting.

Caring for Your Kitchen Cabinet Plants

Once your plants are in place, it’s essential to provide them with the proper care to ensure their continued health and growth. This includes regular watering, fertilizing, and pest control.

• Watering Schedule: The frequency of watering depends on the type of plant and the environment. As a general rule, water your plants when the top inch of soil feels dry. It’s better to underwater than overwater, as overwatering can lead to root rot.
• Fertilizing: Plants need nutrients to thrive. You can fertilize your plants every few weeks during the growing season using a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Pest Control: Inspect your plants regularly for pests like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. If you find any, you can use a mild insecticidal soap or neem oil to control them. Ensure you follow the instructions carefully and avoid spraying your plants directly.

Design Inspiration: Plants To Put On Top Of Kitchen Cabinets

Designing a captivating kitchen cabinet garden involves thoughtful arrangement of plants, pots, and decorative elements. To achieve a visually appealing and balanced display, consider the interplay of plant heights, shapes, and leaf patterns. The following examples provide inspiration for creating stunning kitchen cabinet gardens.

Kitchen Cabinet Plant Arrangement Ideas, Plants to put on top of kitchen cabinets

These arrangements highlight diverse plant species, pot sizes, and decorative elements, offering a range of styles to suit different kitchen aesthetics.

• Succulent Symphony: A cluster of small, colorful succulents arranged in a shallow terracotta pot with a rustic charm. The compact nature of succulents makes them ideal for tight spaces, while their vibrant hues add a touch of life to the kitchen. To enhance the arrangement, consider adding a miniature garden figurine or a small, decorative rock.
• Hanging Herb Haven: A collection of herbs, such as basil, thyme, and rosemary, planted in hanging pots. The cascading foliage adds a sense of movement and visual interest. A wooden or metal stand can be used to create a tiered effect, allowing the herbs to hang at different levels. This arrangement offers both visual appeal and practicality, providing fresh herbs for cooking.
• Tropical Oasis: A combination of large, leafy plants, such as philodendrons and monsteras, placed in tall, decorative pots. The lush foliage adds a touch of tropical charm to the kitchen. Consider adding a small, decorative water feature or a bamboo mat to complement the tropical theme.
• Miniature Bonsai: A small, intricately pruned bonsai tree placed on a wooden stand or a decorative tray. Bonsai trees represent a fusion of nature and artistry, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the kitchen. The small size of the bonsai tree makes it perfect for compact spaces.

Benefits of Incorporating Diverse Plants

Incorporating plants with varying heights, shapes, and leaf patterns creates a balanced and visually stimulating display.

• Height Variation: Combining plants of different heights, such as tall ferns and low-lying succulents, adds depth and dimension to the arrangement. This creates a sense of visual interest and prevents the arrangement from appearing flat.
• Shape Contrast: Plants with contrasting shapes, such as round-leaved succulents and trailing ivy, create a dynamic and visually appealing display. The interplay of shapes adds a sense of movement and visual interest.
• Leaf Pattern Diversity: Incorporating plants with different leaf patterns, such as variegated leaves and finely textured foliage, adds visual richness and complexity to the arrangement. The variety of leaf patterns creates a sense of visual interest and prevents the arrangement from appearing monotonous.

Plant Arrangement Techniques

To create a visually appealing and balanced display, consider these techniques:

• Grouping Plants by Color: Grouping plants with similar colors, such as a cluster of red-leaved begonias or a collection of silvery-green succulents, creates a cohesive and visually pleasing arrangement.
• Creating Focal Points: Use a larger or more prominent plant as a focal point, drawing the eye to a specific area of the arrangement. This creates a sense of visual interest and balance.
• Utilizing Empty Space: Leave some empty space between plants to allow the arrangement to breathe. This prevents the arrangement from appearing cluttered and allows each plant to stand out.

Plants to put on top of kitchen cabinets – Plants atop kitchen cabinets add a touch of nature and visual interest to the space. While choosing the right plants for this purpose is important, the cabinet doors themselves can also be a source of aesthetic appeal. If you’re looking to craft your own cabinet doors, a detailed guide on how to make cabinet doors from plywood can be helpful.

Once the doors are in place, the plants on top will have a beautiful backdrop to complement their vibrant foliage.

The addition of plants to the top of kitchen cabinets can infuse a space with life and vibrancy, offering a touch of nature to the heart of the home. However, if the cabinets themselves are feeling dated, a simple and effective solution is to refresh them with new doors.

Consider the option of IKEA cabinet doors on existing cabinets , which can dramatically alter the appearance of the kitchen. Once the cabinets have been given a new lease on life, the plants on top will feel even more at home, adding a final touch of organic beauty to the space.