Why Plants Are Essential in Feng Shui
Plants are living energy that bring vitality, growth, and prosperity into your home. In feng shui, they represent the wood element and offer:
- ๐ฑ Growth and new beginnings
- ๐ฐ Wealth and abundance
- ๐ฅ Health and vitality
- ๐ Air purification and calm
- โก Activation of stagnant energy
The right plants in the right places can transform your home's energy and attract prosperity!
๐ Table of Contents
Top 15 Feng Shui Plants
1. Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica) ๐ฐ
Best For: Wealth, prosperity, business success
Symbolism: The braided trunk represents the five elements, and the five-lobed leaves attract wealth.
Best Location: Wealth corner (far left from entrance), office, living room
Care: Medium light, water when top inch of soil is dry
Why It Works: The upward growth symbolizes rising fortune and success.
2. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena Sanderiana) ๐
Best For: Good fortune, flexibility, growth
Symbolism: Number of stalks matters:
- 3 stalks: Happiness, wealth, long life
- 5 stalks: Health
- 6 stalks: Prosperity
- 8 stalks: Wealth and abundance
- 9 stalks: Good fortune
- 21 stalks: Great wealth and health
Best Location: East (health), Southeast (wealth), office desk
Care: Grows in water or soil, indirect light
3. Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata) ๐ชด
Best For: Wealth accumulation, friendship
Symbolism: Round leaves resemble coins, symbolizing money and prosperity
Best Location: Entrance, office, wealth corner
Care: Bright light, water sparingly (succulent)
Gift Tip: Perfect housewarming gift for new business or home!
4. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) ๐ก๏ธ
Best For: Protection, air purification, resilience
Symbolism: Upright leaves act as protective swords against negative energy
Best Location: Office, bedroom (purifies air at night), corners
Care: Very low maintenance, tolerates low light, infrequent watering
Air Quality: NASA study shows it removes toxins and produces oxygen at night!
5. Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum) ๐
Best For: Abundance, air purification, easy care
Symbolism: Trailing vines represent flowing abundance and opportunities
Best Location: High shelves, hanging baskets, bathrooms
Care: Very easy, low to bright indirect light, water when dry
Bonus: Grows quickly and can be propagated easily!
6. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) โฎ๏ธ
Best For: Harmony, tranquility, air purification
Symbolism: White flowers represent purity and peace
Best Location: Bedroom, living room, office
Care: Low to medium light, keep soil moist
Air Quality: Excellent at removing mold spores and toxins
7. Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica) ๐ณ
Best For: Wealth, abundance, grounding
Symbolism: Round leaves attract wealth, sturdy trunk provides stability
Best Location: Living room, office, wealth corner
Care: Bright indirect light, water when top soil is dry
Size: Can grow quite large, making a statement piece!
8. Orchid (Orchidaceae) ๐ธ
Best For: Love, fertility, refinement
Symbolism: Elegant flowers represent perfection and beauty
Best Location: Bedroom (Southwest corner for relationships), living room
Care: Bright indirect light, water weekly, good drainage
Color Meanings:
- Pink: Romance, love
- White: Purity, elegance
- Purple: Wealth, royalty
- Yellow: Friendship, joy
9. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata) ๐ฟ
Best For: Air purification, humidity, softening energy
Symbolism: Lush fronds represent abundance and growth
Best Location: Bathroom, kitchen, hanging baskets
Care: High humidity, indirect light, keep soil moist
Benefit: Natural humidifier, great for dry climates!
10. Areca Palm (Dypsis Lutescens) ๐ด
Best For: Positive energy, air purification, tropical vibes
Symbolism: Upward growth represents rising energy and success
Best Location: Living room, office, bright corners
Care: Bright indirect light, water regularly, mist leaves
Size: Can grow 6-7 feet indoors, creates a focal point!
11. Chrysanthemum ๐ผ
Best For: Happiness, longevity, balance
Symbolism: In Chinese culture, represents a life of ease and balance
Best Location: Living room, dining room
Care: Bright light, keep soil moist, deadhead spent flowers
Air Quality: NASA approved for air purification!
12. Aloe Vera ๐ต
Best For: Health, protection, healing
Symbolism: Healing properties represent health and vitality
Best Location: Kitchen (for burns), bathroom, bedroom
Care: Bright light, water sparingly (succulent)
Practical Use: Gel soothes burns and skin irritations!
13. Philodendron ๐
Best For: Abundance, fire element balance
Symbolism: Heart-shaped leaves represent love and compassion
Best Location: Living room, office, high shelves
Care: Low to bright indirect light, water when top inch is dry
Variety: Many types available, all easy to care for!
14. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum) ๐ท๏ธ
Best For: Air purification, positive energy, easy care
Symbolism: Baby plants (spiderettes) represent fertility and new beginnings
Best Location: Hanging baskets, shelves, any room
Care: Very easy, tolerates various conditions
Propagation: Baby plants can be easily rooted for more plants!
15. Citrus Trees (Lemon, Orange) ๐
Best For: Abundance, good fortune, vitality
Symbolism: Fruit represents wealth and prosperity, especially during Chinese New Year
Best Location: Living room, near South-facing window
Care: Bright light (6-8 hours), water regularly, fertilize
Bonus: Fresh citrus scent and edible fruit!
Best Plants by Room
Living Room ๐๏ธ
- Money Tree (wealth corner)
- Rubber Plant (statement piece)
- Areca Palm (bright corners)
- Orchid (elegance)
Bedroom ๐๏ธ
- Snake Plant (air purification at night)
- Peace Lily (tranquility)
- Orchid (romance - Southwest corner)
- Aloe Vera (healing)
Note: Avoid too many plants in bedroom (can be too yang/active)
Office/Study ๐ผ
- Lucky Bamboo (desk)
- Jade Plant (wealth)
- Snake Plant (focus)
- Pothos (abundance)
Kitchen ๐ณ
- Aloe Vera (practical for burns)
- Pothos (easy care)
- Herbs (basil, mint - fresh and useful)
Bathroom ๐ฟ
- Boston Fern (loves humidity)
- Pothos (tolerates low light)
- Snake Plant (low maintenance)
- Peace Lily (purifies air)
Entrance/Hallway ๐ช
- Jade Plant (welcomes wealth)
- Lucky Bamboo (good fortune)
- Small palms (positive energy)
Feng Shui Plant Placement Rules
DO โ
- Place in corners: Soften sharp angles and activate stagnant energy
- Wealth corner: Far left from entrance (money tree, jade plant)
- Empty spaces: Fill voids with living energy
- Near windows: Natural light helps plants thrive
- Pairs: Two plants create balance and harmony
- Healthy plants only: Vibrant, thriving plants = positive energy
DON'T โ
- Block walkways: Disrupts chi flow
- Dead/dying plants: Remove immediately (negative energy)
- Too many in bedroom: Can be overstimulating
- Directly above bed: Can create oppressive energy
- Blocking doors: Prevents opportunities from entering
- In bathroom center: Water drains wealth energy
Pot Selection
- Material: Ceramic, terracotta (natural materials)
- Color: Match to room's feng shui element
- Drainage: Essential for plant health
- Size: Proportional to plant and space
Plant Care Tips for Positive Energy
Keep Plants Healthy
Healthy plants = positive energy. Sick plants = negative energy.
- ๐ง Water appropriately (not too much or too little)
- โ๏ธ Provide adequate light
- ๐ฑ Fertilize during growing season
- โ๏ธ Prune dead leaves immediately
- ๐งน Dust leaves regularly (allows energy flow)
- ๐ Rotate pots for even growth
When a Plant Dies
Don't panic! Sometimes plants absorb negative energy and sacrifice themselves.
- Thank the plant for its service
- Remove immediately
- Cleanse the pot before reusing
- Replace with a fresh, healthy plant
Talking to Your Plants
Plants respond to positive energy!
- Speak kindly to your plants
- Express gratitude
- Play soft music
- Set positive intentions
Plants to Avoid in Feng Shui
Cacti and Succulents (With Caution) ๐ต
Why: Sharp spines create "poison arrows" (sha chi)
Exception: Aloe vera is acceptable due to healing properties
If you must: Place outdoors or in windows facing outward (protection)
Plants with Pointed Leaves
Why: Can create aggressive energy
Examples: Yucca, some dracaenas
Better choice: Round-leafed plants (jade, rubber plant)
Dried or Artificial Plants
Why: No living energy, can attract dust
Exception: High-quality silk plants if you cannot maintain real ones
Better: Always choose living plants when possible
Bonsai Trees (Controversial)
Why: Stunted growth may limit opportunities
Counterpoint: Some practitioners see them as representing controlled growth
Decision: Use your intuition
Conclusion: Your Plant Checklist
- โ Choose plants based on your goals (wealth, health, harmony)
- โ Place in appropriate rooms and corners
- โ Keep plants healthy and vibrant
- โ Remove dead or dying plants immediately
- โ Use natural pots with good drainage
- โ Dust leaves regularly
- โ Avoid cacti indoors (except aloe)
- โ Prefer round leaves over pointed
- โ Speak kindly to your plants
- โ Start with easy-care plants if you're a beginner
Beginner's Starter Kit
If you're new to plants, start with these 3 easy-care options:
- Pothos: Nearly indestructible, grows anywhere
- Snake Plant: Tolerates neglect, purifies air
- Lucky Bamboo: Grows in water, minimal care
๐ Related Feng Shui Guides
- Living Room Feng Shui - Best plant spots for your living room
- Office Feng Shui Guide - Desk plants for career success
- Entryway Feng Shui - Welcoming plants for your entrance
- 2026 Fire Horse Planning Guide - Complete yearly feng shui guide
โ Frequently Asked Questions
The Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) is #1 for wealth attraction! Its braided trunk represents the five elements, and five-lobed leaves attract money energy. Place it in your wealth corner (far left from entrance) or office. Jade Plant is also excellent - its round leaves resemble coins.
Yes, but limit to 1-2 small plants. Snake Plant and Peace Lily are best - they purify air and release oxygen at night. Avoid large plants or too many plants, as they can be overstimulating (too yang energy). Never place plants directly above the bed. See our Bedroom Guide for more tips.
Cacti have sharp spines that create "poison arrows" (sha chi) - aggressive, cutting energy. They're best kept outdoors or on windowsills facing outward for protection. The exception is Aloe Vera, which is acceptable due to its healing properties. For indoors, choose round-leafed plants.
Number of stalks matters! 3 = happiness, wealth, long life. 5 = health. 6 = prosperity. 8 = wealth and abundance. 9 = good fortune. 21 = great wealth and health. Avoid 4 stalks (death in Chinese). For wealth, choose 8 or 21 stalks and place in Southeast corner.
Remove dead plants immediately - they emit negative energy. Some believe plants absorb negative energy and "sacrifice" themselves, so thank the plant for its service. Cleanse the pot before reusing (wash with salt water), then replace with a fresh, healthy plant right away.
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