The Beautiful Indoor Plant That Will Thrive In Your Kitchen Window

Scheffleras are often sold as low-maintenance indoor plants, and for most kitchens, they are a great addition. These plants, also known as umbrella trees, prefer bright, indirect light, which is something a lot of kitchens already have, especially those with east-facing windows where the light is bright but not intense. West-facing windows can also work, depending on how strong the afternoon sun is, while south-facing windows are more unpredictable and usually need some kind of filtering.

This is one reason why scheffleras are one of the plants that are perfect for kitchens, as kitchens can often be brighter than other rooms, but with cabinets and structures that could keep the light from being too harsh. Kitchens are also warmer and a bit more humid than other rooms most of the time, too, which these plants enjoy. There are some plants you should never keep by a sunny window, as they burn almost immediately when exposed to direct light. While scheffleras are more forgiving than that, too much sun does have the potential to cause leaf damage, so if the leaves start to fade or scorch, the light is probably too strong and needs softening or adjusting.

When it comes to placement, scheffleras don't need much fuss, although they usually don't like being exposed to too much bright sunlight, especially in very big windows, so pulling the plant back a little from the window is best. Using a sheer curtain may help too, especially during the summer. And another consideration is space, as scheffleras can grow quite large over time, so it's important to give them enough room to spread without being cramped by cabinets or appliances. They're fairly tolerant plants, but cold drafts from poorly insulated windows could stress them, especially in winter. So if your kitchen window gets chilly, it's best to keep the plant slightly back rather than pressed up against the glass. And during the growing season, fertilization can help support healthy growth. You should use a houseplant-specific fertilizer with a Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (NPK) ratio of 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 and feed your plant once or twice a month throughout the growing season. Otherwise, its incredibly low-maintenance setup is probably partially why this is one statement plant that interior stylists like Hilton Carter swear by.

Another reason scheffleras work well in kitchens is that they're fairly tolerant of small changes in routine. In busier spaces like kitchens, missed waterings may happen, but this plant tends to handle that better than other, more fussier plants. In fact, it prefers its soil to dry slightly between waterings rather than to be overwatered to avoid diseases like root rot. You'll know it's ready for a drink once the top inch of the soil completely dries. Ensure the water you give it is warm and not too cold for best results. If it gets dusty, the leaves also respond well to the occasional wipe-down to make them shiny again, which is always a plus in a room with lots of steam, cooking grease, and activity on the go.