– Plant on Top of Refrigerator –

Growing Plants on Top of the Fridge? (Don’t be Fooled)

There are only limited circumstances when growing a plant on top of refrigerator is a good idea. You may see success if you:

  • have a hardy indoor plant that can grow in less than ideal conditions,
  • own a particular variety of plants that can tolerate constant heat (generated from the fridge), and
  • your fridge is lucky enough to be positioned to have enough space AND receive direct sunlight or indirect light.
Plants on Top of Refrigerator

No matter what other resources will have you believe, finding a situation where you can grow a plant that happily sits on top of your fridge is a rare occurrence. You would have to hit the equivalent of the plant lottery jackpot to tick all three criteria – and if you have, send us some pics of your thriving plant…We’d love to see it!

In this article we are going to debunk all the myths about keeping houseplants on top of the refrigerator. We will explore:

  • why plants find it hard to survive on top of the fridge,
  • how you can accommodate plants on top of your fridge (with some minor adjustments), and
  • the type of plants that have the best chance of growing on top of your refrigerator.

Is it Safe to Grow Plants on Top of the Fridge?

Growing plants on top of the fridge IS NOT a good idea.

Like we said earlier, it isn’t impossible. But finding someone with a plant living happily on top of their fridge is more of an oddity, rather than the norm. And there is a good reason why.

Constant Heat

fridges on producing constant heat

Fridges are constantly generating heat to keep your food and drinks cold. Take a moment to think about it – when did you last switch your fridge off (if you have ever)?

It is a generally known fact that hot air rises, meaning one of the warmest places in your house is on top of your refrigerator. If you want evidence, place a thermometer on top of your fridge or even leave your hand there for 5 minutes, and you’ll feel a noticeable increase in temperature.

So this constant heat rules out keeping plants that prefer cooler temperate environments, like snake plants or Jade plants, on top of the fridge.

You may be thinking, that’s okay, because I’ve read in a care guide that my plants like warmer temperatures. Let’s explore that one a bit more in our next problem for growing plants on top of your fridge.

Dry as a bone

low humidity can harm plants

The atmosphere around your fridge is generally dry, with very little humidity.

For most house plants, hot and