25 Edible Plants That Double as Stunning House Decor

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Breathe life (and flavor) into your living space with this list of gorgeous greenery that does double duty. These plants will not only beautify your home but also be ready to snip and add a fresh touch to your meals.

All the plants on the list have edible parts, whether fruits, leaves, flowers, or seeds. They also have distinctive features—such as colorful foliage, interesting textures, or vibrant flowers—that make them attractive as additions to your indoor or outdoor garden.

Get started today and discover the joy of cultivating your beautiful edible garden with these 25 plants.

1. Herbs (Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, Mint)

Aromatic herbs are not just for cooking; they can also be potted as small indoor plants that bring a fresh look and scent to your kitchen. These culinary staples come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and even colors, adding a touch of whimsy to your kitchen windowsill. Herbs love well-draining soil and plenty of sun. Snip them regularly to encourage bushier growth and enjoy their flavor all season long.

2. Pineapple Plant

Growing a pineapple plant indoors can be a fun project. This tropical wonder has spiky green leaves that make a bold statement and may eventually reward you with a sweet, juicy fruit. However, you need patience. It can take several years for a homegrown pineapple to mature and produce fruit. In the meantime, enjoy this spiky beauty as a decor piece.

3. Tomato Plants

Tomatoes provide a pop of red (or yellow) against green leaves. Tomatoes come in an array of sizes and are perfect for hanging baskets or sunny windowsills. Choose dwarf or determinate varieties that are better suited for container growing and provide support for the plant as it matures.

4. Strawberry Plants

These can be grown in hanging baskets or pots, with their lush green leaves and red berries creating a charming display. Since they produce runners, keep an eye out for new plants you can use to expand your edible garden or share with friends.

5. Lavender

Known for its calming fragrance, lavender can also be a beautiful plant that adds a touch of purple to your front yard. Prune your lavender plant lightly after it flowers to encourage bushier growth. You can also prune it throughout the growing season to remove any dead or leggy stems. Use the dried flowers for fragrance sachets or culinary purposes.

6. Chili Pepper Plants

Chili plants can add a burst of color to your interior with their bright red, yellow, or green fruits. Group them in a pot for a stunning centerpiece – just remember to wear gloves when handling. For happy chilies, provide lots of sunshine, well-draining soil, and consistent watering (avoiding soggy soil).

7. Lemon Tree

Dwarf varieties can be grown indoors. They offer glossy leaves, fragrant flowers, and vibrant yellow lemons. They not only provide a refreshing scent but also zest and juice for cooking and cleaning. Give your lemon tree plenty of sunlight (at least 6-8 hours daily), well-draining soil, and regular watering, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings.

8. Chives

These grass-like herbs are easy to grow and maintain, and their delicate flowers are an added bonus. Snip them fresh for a mild oniony flavor in your favorite dishes. Chives are easygoing plants. They thrive in well-drained soil with plenty of sunshine and will reward you with fresh clippings throughout the season. Cut back on them regularly to encourage bushier growth.

9. Kale

Ornamental kale can be grown in pots and features rosettes of green, white, or purple leaves that are both decorative and edible. Plant them in a shallow window box for a unique and healthy addition to your kitchen. Kale prefers cool temperatures and moist soil, so water regularly and consider misting the leaves if your climate is dry.

10. Calendula

Also known as pot marigold, calendula boasts cheerful daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and white. The petals are beautiful additions to salads or soups, and they also have medicinal properties and can soothe skin irritation. Calendula is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in full sun or part shade. It prefers well-drained soil and moderate watering.

11. Cardoon

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) is actually the wild form of the cultivated artichoke. It is grown not for its edible flower but for its edible stalk. The stalks are a good substitute for celery, and you can cut them however you need. In late summer, cardoon produces beautiful thistle-like flowers in shades of blue or purple, a stunning addition to the garden.

12. Pomegranate Tree

Dwarf pomegranate trees offer glossy leaves, vibrant orange-red fruit, and beautiful red flowers. They’re relatively low-maintenance but require well-drained soil, plenty of sunshine (at least 6 hours a day), and deep watering during dry periods. Patience is a virtue, though, as it can take a few years for a young pomegranate tree to mature and produce fruit.

13. Nasturtiums

These trailing plants boast vibrant flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Not only are the flowers beautiful additions to salads or sandwiches but the leaves and seeds are also edible and have a peppery flavor. Nasturtiums are easy to grow from seed and thrive in full sun. Avoid over-fertilizing nasturtiums, as this can lead to more foliage and fewer flowers.

14. Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) is a unique and beautiful option for an edible houseplant that doubles as stunning decor. These cacti feature flat, oval pads covered in spines and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and even flower colors. While some patience is required, the pads can be harvested and eaten once mature, offering a slightly sweet and refreshing flavor. Prickly pear cactus is tolerant of lots of sun and warm temperatures. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings. Overwatering is a common cause of problems for prickly pear cactus.

15. Runner beans

Runner beans are vining plants that produce long, slender pods containing delicious green beans. They are a popular addition to vegetable gardens and can also be grown in containers on balconies or patios. Their climbing vines can be trained up trellises or fences, creating a lush and vibrant fence cover. The plants also produce attractive white or purple flowers that add to their appeal.

16. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are not only delicious but also beautiful vining plants with large, heart-shaped leaves that can be a lovely addition to your patio or balcony. They come in a variety of colors, including green, purple, and even a variegated option. When the leaves start to turn yellow and die back, it’s time to dig up the tubers and enjoy your sweet potatoes.

17. Peppermint

Its refreshing scent and green, textured leaves make peppermint a delightful addition to any room. Its fragrant leaves are perfect for teas, cocktails, and desserts. For a thriving peppermint plant, provide moist soil, plenty of indirect sunlight, and regular pinching to encourage bushier growth.

18. Fig Tree

Ficus carica, or common fig trees, can be grown indoors and are known for their large, lobed leaves, which create a bold statement in a living space. They also produce sweet fruit and are surprisingly easy to care for indoors or outdoors, depending on your climate. Plant fig trees in well-draining soil and aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If you are growing your fig tree indoors, place it near a south-facing window. Fertilize your fig tree once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half-strength.

19. Bell Pepper Plants

When grown in pots indoors, bell peppers can be a colorful spectacle, and the bonus is harvesting fresh peppers for your meals. Well-drained soil is crucial for healthy bell pepper growth. Opt for a commercial potting mix specifically formulated for vegetables, or create your own by combining equal parts potting soil, perlite, and compost.

20. Dwarf Orange Tree

Similar to lemon trees, dwarf orange trees can be cultivated indoors. They offer shiny green leaves, fragrant white blossoms, and juicy oranges. As sun-loving plants, dwarf orange trees require at least 6-8 hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily. A south-facing window is ideal. If natural light is limited, supplement with grow lights positioned 12-18 inches from the foliage.

21. Cucamelon

Also known as Mexican sour gherkins, these tiny watermelon look-alikes can be grown on indoor trellises, offering unique visual interest and a conversation starter. These vining plants are not only easy to grow but also produce a prolific harvest of bite-sized fruit, making them a perfect choice for container gardening. Enjoy them fresh in salads, sandwiches, or as a delightful snack. You can also pickle them for a tangy twist or add them to stir-fries and salsas for a burst of flavor.

22. Microgreens

A variety of microgreens can be grown in shallow trays and placed around the home. They come in different colors and textures, making them excellent for both garnishing your dishes and adding a splash of green to your decor.

23. Borage

Borage flowers are a beautiful shade of blue and attract butterflies, making them terrific additions to any garden. The star-shaped blooms are also edible and add a lovely touch to salads. Borage is an easygoing herb. Sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost, or start them indoors a few weeks beforehand. Provide full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous bloom throughout the summer and enjoy the beautiful blue blossoms (or white with the ‘Alba’ variety) and refreshing peppery leaves.

24. Violets

Violas come in a delightful array of colors, and their edible flowers add a touch of elegance to salads or desserts. Plant them in hanging baskets for a touch of cascading beauty. Violets thrive in cool, shaded spots with moist but well-drained soil. Plant them outdoors in early spring or fall, or grow them indoors near a north-facing window. Water regularly, but avoid soggy soil.

25. Coffee

Believe it or not, you can grow your own coffee plant indoors. While producing beans might take a while, the glossy green leaves are a beautiful addition to any space. Grow your own coffee plant by providing bright, indirect light, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH, consistent moisture, and warm temperatures. Patience is key – it may take 3-5 years for flowers and, eventually, coffee beans.