7 Feng Shui Plants That Are Easy to Keep Alive
What are Feng Shui Plants?
And most importantly what is Feng Shui?
Before you dig into this article I want to briefly explain why I am writing about Feng Shui Plants.
I am not a Feng Shui Certified Practitioner. I am not a horticulturist either.
I am a Registered Interior Designer with a passion for plants who has spent many years, (since I was a very little girl, under the wings of my Architect father), studying and learning the harmony of the elements of design; form, scale, colour, texture, pattern and light.
Such elements are applied to the principles of design; balance, harmony and unity, rhythm, emphasis and focus, contrast and variety and finally, proportion.
(i.e. balance of colours and patterns; harmony of texture and pattern; proportion of form and scale).
I strongly believe that plants have a huge impact on the space we live and work in.
Plants, like lighting, finishes and furniture within a space, contribute to the balance and harmony of a space.
There is evidence demonstrating the benefits that plants not only have on our surrounding environments, but most importantly on us.
The way I see it, Feng Shui has the added benefit of putting an emphasis on the energy balance of our living spaces.
This is why, in my opinion, there is no better way to complement the principles and elements of Interior Design and Feng Shui with the use of plants. The be more precise, Feng Shui Plants.
But before we look at the 7 easiest to care for Feng Shui Plants, let’s take a look at the meaning of Feng Shui, as well as its elements and Bagua Areas.
Feng Shui meaning
Feng Shui literally translates into Wind and Water.
It’s a traditional practice originated in ancient China with the main objective of using energy forces to harmonize individuals within their surrounding environments.
Feng Shui’s goal is to situate the human environment, or objects within this environment, in areas with good energy.
The key aspect of Feng Shui is to reach balance between Yin and Yang, which represent two natural and complementary, yet contradictory forces. Yin is the receptive force, while Yang is the active one.
I recommend you visit the Know Feng Shui website for more comprehensive in formation on Feng Shui.
In Interior Design and Home Decor, Feng Shui really boils down to obtaining a good flowing energy within the individual space. It’s all about balancing the physical environment to promote harmony and well being.
There are optimal places for every object within our living environments, whether is the home or the office.
Like the principles and elements of design, Feng Shui has its own elements and energy map.
Feng Shui elements and bagua areas
It is important to understand the basics of Feng Shui elements and Bagua Areas in order to select the proper Feng Shui Plant.
It is as equally as important to understand the proper Feng Shui Plant placement in order to make it beneficial to the individual and its living space.
Feng Shui divides the world in 5 elements;
- Fire
- Earth
- Metal
- Water
- Wood
Each element is associated with a different mood.
It’s critical to balance all these elements within the individual’s living space, and to have them all in the right amount.
The right way to use these Feng Shui elements is defined by the Bagua Areas.
Bagua is the Feng Shui energy map that describes what element is needed and where it is needed within the living space.
This map, (Bagua), is connected to specific directions and orientations.
Each energy area, (Bagua area), is connected to specific aspects of the individual’s life.
The Bagua shown here below, represents the optimal location of the 5 elements within one’s home and its associated life’s aspects;
- Fire: Associated with Fame and Reputation is placed South.
- Earth: Associated with Love and Marriage, Spiritual Growth and Self-Cultivation is placed SouthWest and NorthEast.
- Metal: Associated with Helpful People and Blessing, Children and Creativity is located West and NorthWest.
- Water: Associated with Career and Path in Life is located North.
- Wood : Associated with Health and Family, Money and Abundance is located East and South East.
A Feng Shui Plant in each of these aspects of life, (Bagua areas), can be auspicious and boost good energy.
Photo Credit: Know Feng Shui
Feng Shui plants
Now that we have gone through the basics of Feng Shui to have a general understanding of why and where plants should be placed within the individual’s home, let’s talk about the actual plants.
Living plants invite the positive energy of nature into one’s space. We all know plants can be nourishing and healing.
So, What are Feng Shui Plants?
Feng Shui Plants are plants that are believed to be auspicious in different aspects of life.
Their location in different areas within the home, will boost positive energy in different aspects of life.
Decorating with living plants strengthens the energy of the Wood element, promoting vital energy of growth into a living space. Modern homes are over filled with the Metal element and bringing plants into living spaces, will help adjust the elements balance.
The presence of living plants into a space inspires compassion, kindness and flexibility, and who doesn’t need more it it?
Some Feng Shui Plants are connected to a specific aspect of life, (i.e. Jade Plants are mostly associated with Money and Abundance, Orchids are associated with Serenity and Love). Other plants boost positive energy in all areas of the home.
In general, all living plants with soft shapes and round leaves are good plants to boost positive energy.
According to the Feng Shui principles, fake plants, un-healthy and dying plants or plants with pokey ends, spines and prickly leaves, such as cacti, are not conducive to positive energy.
There is quite an array of Feng Shui Plants to choose from. However, considering today’s busy lifestyle and the fact that not everyone considers himself a green thumb, it’s important to focus on the low maintenance Feng Shui Plants that are adaptable to most homes and offices conditions and are easy to care for.
After all, having a struggling plant within a living space does not boost any positive energy!
So here are the 7 Feng Shui Plants that are easy to keep alive!
1. Snake PLant (dracaena trifasciata)
The Snake Plant brings protective energy to the home when placed by the entry space.
There are several varieties and sizes of Snake Plants on the market.
This is one of the easiest Feng Shui Plants to keep alive.
It is extremely adaptable to all environmental conditions; it tolerates low light levels, it doesn’t require much watering and it’s an excellent air purifying plant to have in the home.
It thrives in all humidity conditions and can be placed in darker areas of the home. It only requires watering every two weeks during the summer months and can be scaled back to once a month during the winter.
Read my article on the 7 benefits of Snake Plant to learn more about this plant.
There are several varieties of Snake Plants. Small ones can be placed on Console Tables by the entrance and bigger ones can be more of a statement piece near the door.
2. Jade Plant, (crassula ovata)
This is the Feng Shui Plant by definition! It is also known as Lucky Plant, Money Plant and Friendship Tree.
This plant is mostly associated with friendship, money, health and fame and can be auspicious in all areas of the home.
It’s common to see this plant placed by offices and restaurant’s doors to promote good business.
It is also a common house warming gift to give to friends and family moving to a new home as a sign of good luck and friendship.
The Jade Plant is extremely easy to care for. It does thrive in bright light conditions, even some morning hours of direct sun exposure.
As a succulent it only needs to be watered when the top soil is dry, rather than on schedule. (As a general idea, I water mine once every week to 10 days in the summer months and once a month during the winter).
Jades are also called Friendship Trees because they are extremely easy to propagate and gift to friends.
Read my article on the Prosperity and Friendship Plant to learn more about Jade Plants.
This Jade Plant is the result of cutting, trimming and repotting stems of an older struggling Jade.
3. Lucky Bamboo (dracaena sanderiana)
The Lucky Bamboo, together with the Jade Plant, is one of the most popular Feng Shui Plants.
It is a symbol of good fortune and is best placed in the Wealth area of the home.
Since Lucky Bamboos grow in water, they are associated with 3 of the 5 Feng Shui elements; water, wood and earth.
The numbers of stalks used to create an arrangement have different meanings in the Feng Shui application;
- One stalk: symbolizes a strong, prosperous life.
- Two stalks; symbolize love.
- Three stalks; symbolize three kinds of luck; Happiness, Long Life and Wealth. This is probably the best combination to have in one’s home.
- Four stalks: symbolize negative energy and death. Never arrange four stalks together!
- Five stalks: symbolize the health in the five areas that bring wealth in your life; Emotional, Intuitive, Physical, Spiritual, Mental.
- Six stalks: symbolize prosperity.
- Seven stalks: symbolize good health.
- Eight stalks: symbolize growth.
- Nine stalks: symbolize good luck to the person who receives it as a gift.
- Ten stalks: symbolize completion, (wishing someone to have a complete life with everything they’ve dreamed of).
- 21 stalks: symbolize great wealth and enduring health.
Symbolism aside, Lucky Bamboos are easy to care for.
They generally grow in whatever water arrangement they are assembled; whether it’s a glass vase or a pebble container filled with water. Watering is not an issue but changing the water and cleaning the container is extremely important to avoid fungus and mold.
This plant adapts to low light conditions but it does best in medium light conditions. Low light will prevent the growth of healthy leaves and too much light, like direct sun exposure, will burn its leaves.
Photo by Elton Sipp on Unsplash
Hey Plant Loving Woman!
Are you a middle age mom?
Do you constantly feel overwhelmed and anxious?
Do you believe in the healing power of nature?
To reveal your #1 Personal Houseplant that best
helps you reduce your anxiety.
4. Peace Lily (spathiphyllum)
The Peace Lily purifies the living space air and corrects energetic imbalances.
It is probably the trickiest one to care for among the Feng Shui Plants listed in this article.
The only reason why I say this is a tricky plant is because it is prone to brown tips. Other than that, it’s really easy to keep this plant alive.
Peace Lily thrive in medium light conditions. However, the higher the indirect amount of light they get, the more beautiful white specialized leaves they produce.
Over watering this plant is more damaging than under watering it. This is another plant that should not be watered on schedule. The best time to water Peace Lily is when the first inch of top soil is dry to the touch. The best part of this plant is that it will tell you when it’s time to water by drooping all its leaves. Letting the plant droop its leaves is not damaging, as long as you are quick to react to its need of water. Don’t let the leaves droop for over two days.
In order to prevent brown tips, water it with distilled water.
5. Rubber Plant (ficus elastica)
Rubber Plants are associated with Abundance and Wealth.
This is not just an easy plant to keep alive; it’s one of the most beautiful Feng Shui Plants to have.
It come is different sizes and colours and it’s relatively easy to care for.
Rubber Plants thrive in bright, indirect light conditions. Lower light conditions will reduce the intensity of the leaves colours or its variegation if you have a variegated one.
Water it only when the first one inch of top soil is dry to the touch. At that time water it throughly, making sure all the water has drained and whatever water is left at the bottom of the saucer is tossed.
This is my baby variegated Rubber Plant.
6. English Ivy (Hedera Helix)
English Ivy’s gently spiked leaves represent protection against negativity and for this reason, it can be placed in any Bagua area of your home.
This type of Ivy is a dainty and detailed plant that brings a lot of beauty into one’s home.
It’s also one of the few trailing Feng Shui Plants.
It grows relatively fast when properly cared for.
This is a very versatile and adaptable plant; it’s low maintenance, it tolerates low light, it’s non-toxic for children and pets, it’s a great air purifier and it is an ideal hanging plant!
English Ivies like medium light the best but can do well in moderately low light conditions. Like all variegated species, they thrive and continue to produce variegated leaves with higher light levels.
These plants don’t like to be overwatered so it’s a good idea to check the top one inch of soil with your finger to determine if it is dry enough to water. At the same time, do not let the soil dry thoroughly!
7. Orchid (orchidaceae)
Orchids boost serenity and love. They are believed to improve relationships and as such, they should be place in the Love and Marriage Area of your home.
These beautiful plants are relatively easy to keep alive and in bloom when properly cared for.
Orchids thrive in high humidity and the secret is to keep the base of the pot in a tray of water filled pebbles to create the humidity the plant needs.
They should be watered in a slow and periodic way by simply adding an ice cube inside the plant pot every week.
Orchids enjoy bright, indirect light.
This is my Moth Orchid, which is a mini Orchid. I placed it inside an apothecary jar without the lid to help maintain the humidity levels provided by the pebble tray filled with water. I removed the lid to prevent moulding caused by excessive humidity.
I hope you’ve found this article helpful in making an informed decision on the type of Feng Shui Plants to buy and where to place them to boost good energy in the aspects of life you need the most!
If you are a middle age mother who often feels overwhelmed and anxious and also loves plants and finds solace in them, I encourage you to take the quiz below!
Not only will you receive the personalized houseplant that reduces your anxiety, but you will also receive relatable blogs on topics such as:
- middle motherhood dilemmas
- plants care
- self-care
So that you can feel supported by a close-knit group of women like you.
Let’s create together a supportive community of middle moms!
Click the link below and take the quiz!
Hey Plant Loving Woman!
Are you a middle age mom?
Do you constantly feel overwhelmed and anxious?
Do you believe in the healing power of nature?
To reveal your #1 Personal Houseplant that best
helps you reduce your anxiety.
Thank you for the Feng Sui page it is very helpful. Cheers from Montreal!
Happy to help!
And cheers to you! Love your city! I used to live there!!