Think your kitchen windowsill is too small for gardening? It’s actually one of the best spots to grow a handful of beautiful, practical plants.
With just a little sunlight and the right choices, you can enjoy fresh herbs, vibrant foliage, or even blooming flowers right where you cook.
This list brings you 26 plants that grow well indoors and love a kitchen windowsill’s cozy light. Some are handy herbs you can snip while preparing meals.
Others simply brighten the space with lush greenery or cheerful blooms. Pick a few favorites to transform your kitchen into a living, breathing space that’s full of life.
#1 Microgreens
Source: Handgrowngreens
These tiny greens pack a punch of flavor and nutrients. You can grow them in shallow trays using just a bit of soil or even a damp paper towel. They sprout quickly, often ready to harvest in a week.
Choose from radish, mustard, broccoli, or mixed greens for a colorful salad boost. Rotate your trays regularly so each side gets light. It’s a fun way to always have something fresh at your fingertips.
#2 Tomatoes
Source: Tomatobible
Cherry or dwarf tomato varieties love sunny kitchen windows. They need a deep pot and consistent watering, but they reward you with juicy bites of homegrown flavor.
Small flowers will bloom and soon turn into vibrant fruit. Support the stems with a small stake if they lean. Watching the fruit ripen each day adds a little excitement to your daily routine.
#3 Snake Plant
Source: Coloradocountrylife
The upright, sword-like leaves of the snake plant bring structure and calm to any windowsill. It doesn’t ask for much—just occasional watering and some indirect light.
This plant is great at purifying indoor air, making your cooking space feel even fresher. It tolerates neglect, so it’s ideal if you travel often. Choose a decorative pot to match your kitchen style.
#4 Garlic
Source: Balconygardenweb
You can grow garlic greens easily by placing a few cloves in soil with their tips sticking out. In a sunny spot, they sprout within days and give you edible shoots.
The greens taste like mild garlic and are perfect for stir-fries or omelets. Water when the topsoil feels dry. It’s a quick way to get fresh garnish without leaving the kitchen.
#5 Pothos
Source: Marthastewart
Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to grow and looks stunning cascading from a windowsill. It thrives in indirect light and only needs water once the soil dries.
The heart-shaped leaves can be variegated or bright green, adding texture to your space. Snip a vine and root it in water to grow another. This plant grows fast, so it brings instant greenery.
#6 Oregano
Source: Thespruce
Fresh oregano adds depth to pasta sauces and roasted vegetables. It prefers bright light and well-drained soil, making a sunny windowsill perfect.
Keep it trimmed to encourage bushier growth. The scent alone makes your kitchen feel more alive. When you need a sprig, it’s right there waiting.
#7 Jade Plant
Source: Mycityplants
This chubby-leaved succulent looks like a tiny tree and brings a cheerful vibe to your windowsill. Jade plants prefer bright light and infrequent watering.
Let the soil dry completely between waterings to avoid root rot. Over time, it can grow quite large and may even bloom small white flowers. It’s low effort but always rewarding to care for.
#8 Spider Plant
Source: Thespruce
Spider plants are fun, with their arching leaves and baby “spiderettes” that dangle like ornaments. They enjoy bright, indirect sunlight and light watering.
If the tips of the leaves brown, try filtered water instead. You can snip off the baby plants and grow more. It adds playful movement and life to any window.
#9 Green Onion
Source: Lifehacker
Regrowing green onions is one of the easiest indoor garden tricks. Just place the white root ends in a glass of water and watch them regrow in days.
Once tall enough, snip what you need and let them grow back. They don’t need soil unless you want to plant them long-term. It’s a constant supply of freshness for your meals.
#10 Orchid
Source: Orchididia
With the right light, orchids bloom beautifully on kitchen windowsills. They love humidity and indirect sun, so near the sink is often perfect.
Use an orchid mix for potting and let the roots dry out between waterings. Their exotic flowers last for weeks, adding elegance and color. Once you understand their rhythm, they’re surprisingly easy to keep happy.
#11 Thyme
Source: Thekitchenherbs
Thyme stays compact and loves bright light, making it ideal for small spaces. The tiny leaves add a savory, earthy note to your meals. It grows slowly but steadily in well-drained soil.
Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. It’s a reliable herb that brings flavor and charm without much fuss.
#12 Philodendron
Source: Gardenerspath
The trailing heart-shaped leaves of a philodendron add instant greenery to your kitchen. It grows well in indirect light and only needs water when the topsoil is dry.
Snip back long vines to shape them or grow new ones in water. It’s forgiving, adaptable, and brings warmth to the space. Just one pot can really liven up your windowsill.
#13 Sedums
Source: Debraleebaldwin
These little succulents are tough, colorful, and perfect for sunny kitchen ledges. They store water in their leaves, so they don’t need frequent watering.
Choose small trailing varieties to spill gently over the pot’s edge. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. They’re a low-maintenance splash of charm.
#14 Sprouts
Source: Pxfuel
Grow your own crunchy sprouts in a jar with no soil at all. Just soak the seeds, rinse daily, and watch them grow in just a few days. Mung beans, alfalfa, or lentils work great.
Keep the jar tilted for drainage and place it by a bright window. They’re perfect to toss into salads or sandwiches, fresh and homegrown.
#15 Chinese Evergreen
Source: Planterina
This adaptable plant offers patterned leaves in shades of silver, green, and even pink. It tolerates low light, but bright indirect light helps it grow fuller and more colorful.
Water when the top inch of soil is dry. It’s low maintenance and quietly striking. A great choice if you want beauty without fuss.
#16 Bromeliads
Source: Garden
Add tropical flair to your windowsill with a bromeliad’s bold colors and rosette shape. It loves bright light and appreciates a bit of humidity, so your kitchen air suits it well.
Water into the center “cup” of the plant and let it drain. The blooms can last for months. Even after flowering, the plant stays visually interesting.
#17 Basil
Source: Mydomaine
Basil brings a burst of green and a sweet, peppery scent to your windowsill. It enjoys full sun and soil that drains well.
Snipping leaves regularly encourages bushier growth and keeps it healthy. Try adding it to pasta, salads, or homemade pesto. It’s a cheerful herb that perks up your kitchen and your meals.
#18 Scented Geranium
Source: Plantindex
This charming plant fills your kitchen with a gentle, refreshing fragrance every time you brush past it. Its soft leaves come in a range of scents like lemon, rose, or mint, depending on the variety.
It thrives in bright light and enjoys regular watering when the soil feels dry on top. Pinch back the tips to keep it bushy and compact. You might even snip a few leaves to add subtle flavor to teas or desserts.
#19 Haworthia
Source: Hobbyplants
This tiny, spiky succulent looks like a miniature aloe and is perfect for small kitchen spaces. It does well in bright, indirect sunlight and only needs watering every couple of weeks.
A windowsill is ideal for keeping it happy and compact. Use a pot with drainage and sandy soil to avoid soggy roots. It adds a little texture without demanding attention.
#20 African Violet
Source: Agardenforthehouse
These compact, flowering plants thrive in bright but indirect light. Their fuzzy leaves and long-lasting blooms make them a lovely accent for your kitchen.
Keep the soil slightly moist and avoid getting water on the leaves. Use a saucer to water from the bottom when possible. With just a little care, they’ll reward you with color all year round.
#21 Parsley
Source: Balconygardenweb
Parsley grows well on a sunny windowsill and gives you a steady supply of crisp green flavor. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and regular harvesting.
The flat-leaf variety has stronger taste, while curly parsley looks decorative. You can grow it from seed or buy a small plant to get started. Keep it near your prep area for easy access.
#22 Peace Lily
Source: Hgvt
With its glossy leaves and white blooms, a peace lily softens the feel of any kitchen space. It prefers bright, indirect light and consistent watering.
The leaves may droop to signal it’s thirsty, then bounce right back. Wipe dust off the foliage now and then for a healthy shine. It also helps purify indoor air while quietly blooming.
#23 Aloe
Source: Ikea
This soothing succulent loves the sun and doesn’t need much water. Let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Aloe’s thick, spiky leaves hold gel that’s great for soothing burns or skin irritation.
Break off a leaf and scoop out the inside for instant relief. Plus, it adds sculptural beauty to your windowsill.
#24 Spinach
Source: Restless
You can grow baby spinach in a shallow pot and harvest it leaf by leaf for salads or cooking. It enjoys cool temperatures and consistent moisture, so your kitchen window is a great spot.
Keep the soil slightly damp and give it as much sunlight as possible. Snip outer leaves first to let the center keep growing. It’s a handy way to keep fresh greens close.
#25 Mint
Source: Growyouryard
Mint grows fast and loves a sunny spot, but it can take over if you’re not careful, so give it its own pot. Water it regularly to keep the soil lightly moist, and pinch the tips to encourage bushy growth.
Fresh leaves are perfect for tea, desserts, or refreshing drinks. Keep an eye on it, and you’ll always have a cool burst of flavor close by. Bonus: it smells amazing.
#26 Flowering Kalanchoe
Source: Thegardeningcook
This cheerful succulent bursts into clusters of bright flowers that can last for weeks. Place it on a sunny kitchen windowsill, and you’ll see it thrive with minimal effort.
Let the soil dry completely between waterings to keep it healthy. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new ones. It brings a pop of color right where you need it most.
