Gas ranges and flowering plants don’t go together, neither do fresh bananas. The problem is ethylene gas released by gas ranges and many fresh fruits. They release ethylene gas which causes plants to drop flower buds and blossoms that have already opened. In isolated cases, leaves drop due to exposure from ethylene gas.

How come these problems happen so often?

In most cases, it’s a matter of convenience to grow plants in the kitchen. Warm air temperatures, coupled with the ease of maintenance where there is access to a kitchen sink, provide a hospitable environment for flowering and foliage plants. Foliage plants aren’t harmed by ethylene gas, only certain flowering plants.

Here is a roster of plants not to be placed in kitchens with gas ranges:

Achimrnes: Flower buds drop, flowers will fall.

African Violet: Flowers wilt prematurely.

Begonia: Flowers will drop.

Bougainvillea: Colorful leaves will drop, flowers will be lost.

Browallia: Flowers and flower buds will drop.

Cape Primrose: Flowers fall from the plant.

Clerodendron: Flowers and flower buds will drop, also some leaves.

Crossandra: Flowers will fall.

Cyclamen: Flowers will wilt, then fall from the plant.

Dianthus: Blossoms won’t open.

Exacum: Flowers wilt.

Gardenia: Flower buds and flowers fall from the plant.

Gloxinia: Flowers drop.

Hibiscus: Flower buds and flowers fall from the plant.

Kalanchoe: Flowers don’t open.

Pachystachys: Leaves yellow, flower buds drop.

Pelargonium: Florets fall.

Pocketbook Plant: Flower buds and flowers will drop.

Poinsettia: Bract and leaf stems will bend upwards.

Rhododendron: Leaves fall from the plant.