Besides improving the aesthetics of a space, plants invite the energy of nature into your home or office. And according to feng shui principles, houseplants can be nourishing for your personal energy. But when it comes to the best plants for positive feng shui energy, there are certain guidelines to follow.

Plants and Feng Shui

Decorating with living houseplants strengthens the energy of one particular feng shui element: wood. The wood element brings vital energy of growth and action into your space. It can also inspire compassion, kindness, and flexibility. Moreover, the color green—the shade of many plants—is associated with rejuvenation.

There aren’t necessarily good and bad feng shui plants. After all, the key to feng shui is to see the interconnection between dualities. That said, some plants are more commonly recommended for feng shui applications, along with plants that can be challenging to use to bring in positive energy. 

Plants and the Bagua

A simple way to use plants for feng shui applications is to locate them in specific bagua areas. The bagua is the feng shui energy map of your space, with each area being connected to an aspect of your life. 

Here’s a quick overview of all the nine bagua areas and how a houseplant can improve the energy of that space.

• Family (Zhen): Houseplants in this bagua area can promote growth and support in your family life. Plants also can help spark the energy to get things moving if you’re feeling stuck in general.
• Wealth (Xun): The wealth area can benefit from a plant if you want to grow in abundance and attract more prosperity.
• Health (Tai Qi): If your wellbeing needs some extra support, a plant in the center area of your home can encourage restoration in all aspects of your life.
• Helpful People (Qian): Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help. A plant in the helpful people area can activate energies to invite support when and where you need it most.
• Children (Dui): Plants in the children area can encourage growth for any offspring or projects. If you have trouble finishing things, this is also a good area to add a plant.
• Knowledge (Gen): Houseplants in the knowledge area can support expansion of self-knowledge and self-cultivation. 
• Fame and Reputation (Li): If you need to be seen and recognized, the wood element of a plant can fuel the fire element in your fame area and increase your visibility in the world.
• Career (Kan): Plants in the career area can encourage growth and expansion in your occupation. They can also provide a boost to your wisdom.
• Partnership (Kun): Plants in the partnership area are a good idea to cultivate kindness and flexibility in relationships.

Challenging Feng Shui Plants

In feng shui, there’s a concept of sha qi, or sharp energy. This is when attacking energy, often from sharp objects, is directed at your body, draining you of your personal energy. Thus, it’s best to avoid pointy and spiky plants, such as a cactus, if you want to promote positive feng shui energy.

Furthermore, a dying and neglected plant also can cultivate draining energy. So before bringing any plants into your space, make sure you have the right environment (and the time) to keep them healthy. Also, remove any browning portions of a plant promptly.

Finally, using fake plants to promote good feng shui energy can be a bit tricky. You must find high-quality fake plants to receive any benefits. They should look so realistic that you have to touch them to confirm they are fake.

The Best Feng Shui Plants

In general, most plants are great for feng shui, as long as you care for them well. Plants with soft and rounded leaves are typically best, as they promote a gentle, nourishing energy. 

Here are some of the best plants to include in your home when planning feng shui.

• 01of 15Jade The Spruce / Leticia AlmeidaAlso referred to as a money plant, the jade (Crassula spp.) succulent features many rounded leaves. This gives the plant a soft, lush appearance, which helps bring in the serene, calm energy that jade is known for.
  • Soil: Well-drained, neutral, acidic
  • Light: Full sun
  • Water: Keep soil moist but not soggy during growing season
  • Mature Size: Up to 5 feet tall 
• 02of 15Snake Plant The Spruce / Candace MadonnaThe snake plant (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a great plant for beginners. Although it might appear sharp, it also has a quality of protective energy. There are many types of snake plants within the Dracaena genus, ranging from ones with tall and narrow leaves to some with short and wide leaves.
  • Soil: Sandy, well-drained, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
  • Light: Bright, indirect light to low light
  • Water: Water when soil feels completely dry
  • Mature Size: Up 3 feet tall
• 03of 15Golden Pothos The Spruce / Candace MadonnaThe golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is easy to care for and fun to propagate. It grows lush, trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves. It’s said to bring not only positive energy but financial prosperity as well.
  • Soil: Moist but well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic
  • Light: Most light conditions are fine
  • Water: Water when top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 10 feet long
• 04of 15Money Tree Polina Sergeyeva / Getty ImagesMoney trees (Pachira aquatica) are believed to bring good fortune and wealth. Plus, the beautifully braided trunk makes the plant a lovely statement piece. While the plant is a slow grower, it is fairly easy to care for.
  • Soil: Moist but well-drained, acidic to neutral
  • Light: Bright, indirect light but will do okay in shade
  • Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Mature Size: Up to 8 feet tall
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• 05of 15Areca Palm The Spruce / Candace MadonnaThe areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) can grow larger than many other houseplants, and it has lovely, fan-like leaves. It needs bright, indirect light to thrive. If you want to fend off bad energy and usher in the good, this is the plant to invite into your home.
  • Soil: Moist but well-drained, acidic, neutral
  • Light: Full to partial sun
  • Water: Water when soil dries out
  • Mature Size: Up to 7 feet tall
• 06of 15Boston Fern The Spruce / Kara RileyBoston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) are easy to care for indoors, as long as you have enough light. The petite versions are perfect for small spaces and hanging, and they bring positive energy and harmony into your home.
  • Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic
  • Light: Partial shade to bright, indirect light
  • Water: Keep soil moist and water when the top inch of soil is dry
  • Mature Size: Up to 3 feet tall
• 07of 15Lucky Bamboo The Spruce / Leticia AlmeidaBamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) represents growth and adaptability. In feng shui use, the number of stalks has a symbolic meaning. For instance, two stalks are supposed to nourish areas of your life associated with love, and three stalks nourish your happiness.
  • Soil: Water or moist but well-drained soil, acidic
  • Light: Moderate light
  • Water: If keeping in water, make sure you change the water frequently to keep it clean. If in soil, keep moist but not soggy.
  • Mature Size: Up to 5 feet tall
• 08of 15Anthurium Clarinervium Firn / Getty ImagesThe large velvety, almost heart-shaped leaves of the Anthurium clarinervium (Anthurium clarinervium) make this leafy green guy an obvious choice when it comes to picking a feng shui plant and it’s no surprise that it’s believed to bring love into a space. Place this on a shelf that has sharp corners as a counterbalance.
  • Soil: Loose, airy, well-draining, neutral to acidic
  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water thoroughly when the top 2 inches of soil are dry, and be sure to let the water drain out completely
  • Mature Size: Leaves can grow up to 6 inches wide
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• 09of 15Bird of ParadiseHugo Goudswaard / Getty ImagesThe lush leaves of the bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) make it an excellent feng shui plant for passion and creativity. Plus, when it blooms, the flowers really add elegance to a room. Keep this tall plant in a corner near a bright window and it will thrive.
  • Soil: Loamy, slightly acidic
  • Light: Thrives in bright, indirect light
  • Water: Keep soil moist and water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Mature Size: Up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide
• 10of 15Peace LilyGrumpy Cow Studios / Getty ImagesPeople seem to love the peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), which will reward you with beautiful white flowers when very well cared for. The white rounded flowers are meant to bring good luck while the dark green leaves attract wealth. Keep an eye out for droopy leaves, as that means it’s thirsty.
  • Soil: Moist but well-drained, acidic
  • Light: Most light conditions are fine, but will usually only flower in a brighter spot
  • Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry
  • Mature Size: Up to 4 feet tall and wide
• 11of 15Chinese Money PlantDima Berlin / Getty ImagesThis feng shui plant is popular because of the rounded leaves that look like coins, pancakes, and UFOs, hence its other common names (pancake plant and UFO plant). Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) is also super easy to propagate as it grows little pups that can be cut from the mother plant and given to your friends as a gift. It’s a lucky plant, so as you pass it along you’ll be spreading that wealth and luck.
  • Soil: Well-draining, acidic, neutral
  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water when the soil feels dry to the touch
  • Mature Size: Up to 1 foot tall
• 12of 15Rubber Plant Oscar Wong / Getty ImagesWhether you choose a normal rubber plant (Ficus elastica) or variegated version, the long oval leaves help promote the flow of positive energy in your space. They are beautiful plants whose leaves will grow larger and larger the happier it is. 
  • Soil: Well-draining, loamy, slightly acidic soil
  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Mature Size: Up to 10 feet tall
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• 13of 15String of HeartsAnSyvanych / Getty ImagesString of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a whimsical trailing plant that features delicate heart-shaped leaves that often have a pink hue to them. Hang it high on a shelf and let the vines cascade to the floor. String of hearts is known to encourage harmony and balance in the home.
  • Soil: Well-draining, acidic, neutral
  • Light: Will do okay in partial shade but prefers bright, indirect light
  • Water: Let soil dry out between waterings
  • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 12 feet long
• 14of 15Peacock Plantsarayut Thaneerat / Getty ImagesAny variety of Calathea seems to look as if the leaves have been painted, but the peacock plant (Calathea makoyana) has that look down pat.The delicate, large rounded leaves are why it makes an excellent choice for a feng shui plant, in addition to its ability to encourage positive energy, prosperity, and abundance. In the evenings the leaves may fold inwards, revealing a purple underside, and then unfold in the morning sun.
  • Soil: Moist but well-drained, acidic, neutral, alkaline
  • Light: Bright, indirect light (direct light will burn its leaves)
  • Water: Keep soil moist but not soggy
  • Mature Size: Up to 2 feet tall and wide.
• 15of 15Aloe Vera Kinga Krzeminska / Getty ImagesAloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) is a popular houseplant that’s also known for its skin soothing properties. The gel found within its leaves helps relieve sunburns and other skin irritation but, in the home, it’s beloved for its spiky green leaves and striking appearance. Aloe vera is known to bring good luck and keep bad energy out.
  • Soil: Sandy, acidic
  • Light: Full, partial
  • Water: Keep soil moist, let dry out in winter
  • Mature Size: Up to 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide

FAQ

• What is the best feng shui plant for luck?While there are many feng shui plants that are known for luck, the Chinese money plant is most often used for luck.
• How should I place plants in my living room for the best feng shui?Different plants are placed in different spots depending on what you want to welcome into your life. Place plants that encourage prosperity in the southeast; try plants for health and fortune on the east side of your room.