Keeping your home smelling nice will surely impress house guests and keep you relaxed all day long. With these 5 great smelling plants for the kitchen, there’s no need to buy scented candles or air fresheners to enjoy an aromatic household. There are plenty of indoor plants that produce fragrant smells that the whole family can enjoy in a natural way. So, having any of these five choices is sure to eliminate your need to purchase any kind of scented product.
If you’re looking to have a naturally nice-smelling home, have a go at growing any of these five plants.
Orchids – A Must-Have Great Smelling Plant for the Kitchen
Growing orchids is an obvious choice, as these exotic and beautiful flowers make an excellent addition to any kitchen. Because these beauties come in a variety of shapes, colors, and scents, you’ll likely find one that you’ll love. Try growing a Lady’s Slipper Orchid, which thrives in low light and an environment with humid air, making them perfect for any kitchen. And be sure to use potting mix for orchids in your pot.
All you have to do is to water them once a week and allow the roots to drain fully. If you keep your lady’s slipper happy, it will bloom in the late winter every year. It’s also available in dozens of hybrids and offers many different species, so it has various color combinations to choose from.
Jasmine
The sweet, delicate floral fragrance of jasmine can give your kitchen a touch of luxury and elegance. There are many varieties that grow well indoors, such as the Arabian jasmine, which flowers almost every month. Jasmine plants fit well in the kitchen, because they thrive in sunny and humid environments. Simply place it by a window and feed it with all-purpose fertilizer for houseplants during spring and summer. Then keep the soil moist to keep it happy and healthy.
While the requirements of the jasmine plant can be demanding, it can provide you with a secondary treat. Once it starts flowering, you can try making jasmine tea for quiet afternoons on the patio. However, before you get to this stage, you’ll have to nurture it. Only water it if the top of the pot feels dry.
Things to take note of when taking care of Jasmines:
- Jasmine won’t tolerate a soggy potting mix
- They are sensitive to dry environments
- Jasmine won’t do well near wood-burning stoves, hot-air vents, and radiators
- IMPORTANT: Jasmine is known to be toxic to animals and some children. Please be aware of this before you bring this plant into your home.
If you’re able to provide the right environment for your Jasmine, then you should see flowers between January and February.
Herbs are All Great Smelling Plants for the Kitchen
Herbs are one of the best plants to have in the home, because they serve multiple purposes. They not only add taste to our dishes and look pretty in our kitchens, but they smell good too! Here are just a few of the best herbs you can grow in your kitchen today:
Mint:
This adds a fresh, clean smell to our home while adding a bit of zing to roast lamb, lemonade, and when making Middle Eastern food such as tabbouleh. And because it pairs well with fruits and chocolates, you can even use mint leaves as a garnish for sweets and desserts.
Basil:
This herb can be used in so many different dishes, such as pizza and pasta, salads, and even pesto. However, basil also keeps your house smelling fresh, so why not grow it in your kitchen? Depending on the type of basil, you can also get more than flavor out of them. Try growing some Red Rubin basil for a splash of red and purple in the kitchen, which can double as a decorative piece.
Rosemary:
Another low-key, yet very aromatic herb is rosemary, which can also be used in the kitchen in a variety of ways. For example, it works wonders with poultry. All you have to do is stick rosemary and lemon inside a whole chicken and you’ve got yourself a super easy recipe for roast chicken.
Thyme:
Of course, any herb garden isn’t complete without thyme, as it’s also a highly fragrant herb. Thyme prefers to be in well-drained soil, so there’s no need to keep watering it. Just like rosemary, thyme is another low-maintenance herb, because it stays green all through the year. So, it makes for an excellent investment and will pair well with eggs and many other dishes.
A note regarding potted herbs: When growing herbs for cooking, it will be more of a challenge to maintain herbs that are purchased from supermarkets. These varieties are designed to grow fast and need to be consumed quickly. If you intend to have herbs in the kitchen for a long time, it’s best to go to a local nursery. Ask about their organic herbs, grown using nutrient-rich soil. These will last longer and give you a better taste.
Gardenia – A Great Smelling Plant for the Kitchen
Arguably, gardenias are some of the most fragrant flowers around. And while it’s common to grow them outdoors, there are variants that can be grown inside as well, given that they get the proper care. When in the right environment, gardenias can give you an aroma that you can enjoy all day, every day. To achieve this, give them sunlight for at least four hours a day, because without it, it’s impossible for them to bloom.
During the summer, though, keep them away from the burning summer heat. Give your gardenias some sun time in the afternoon, under shade, to protect their foliage. In addition, gardenias don’t like drying out, so you’ll need to keep their soil moist, but don’t let it get soggy. In winter, gardenias use less water, so cut back on the watering a little bit. Let the top of the potting soil dry out before you give it another drink.
Lavender
Lavender is one of those plants that can give such a relaxing and soothing smell that helps to calm us. It can even be used to help us to sleep at night. To grow lavender indoors, it needs to get plenty of light. Getting a minimum of three hours under direct sunlight will work best. If you don’t have an area in your kitchen that meets that requirement, consider buying a grow light. Rotating the pot on a weekly basis will support consistent flowering and growth.
Air Conditions for Lavender
Good air circulation and ventilation are important, but you shouldn’t place lavender where it’s exposed to any source of direct hot air. In spring and summer, the ideal temperatures are 70° F in the day and between 50-55° F at night. When fall and winter come though, the temperatures should be a few degrees cooler.
Make sure your lavender gets plenty of water, while allowing the soil to dry before watering it next time. Over-watering and having the soil too wet all the time may cause it to rot. But at the same time, don’t allow the soil to dry out completely, or your lavender may develop yellow lower leaves. If you plan to move the plant outside during springtime, take note that it will dry out quicker and will need water more often.
Great Smelling Plants for the Kitchen – Conclusion
And there you have it. A list of 5 great smelling plants for the kitchen, plus tips on how to keep them healthy longer. Whatever choice you make, there is sure to be a perfect fit for anyone’s kitchen. Whether you just want to have a nice smell in your home or plan to use them for recipes, these plants can answer your needs. Keep a close eye on them and follow our tips to care for them. Grow one (or all) of these to provide a vibrant new addition to your kitchen, while keeping your home smelling fresh all the time.
