Home » Misc » Plants in the house feng shui

Plants in the house feng shui


The 8 Best Feng Shui Plants For the Home

We could wax poetic about the healing powers of indoor plants for days — they purify the air, relieve stress, and offer plant parents a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and enjoyment. But according to traditional feng shui principles, greenery can also change and improve the energy in our homes and promote good luck. Of course, some plants do so better than others. 

To learn more about positive feng shui plants, we tapped Karen Rauch Carter, author of Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life, and Rodika Chi, feng shui expert and consultant. Ahead, learn about the basic feng shui principles, the bagua energy map, and the best feng shui plants to remove the negative energy in your home.

Good Feng Shui Principles: How Plants Bring Positive Energy into the Home

Simply put, “plants are living objects, which can revive tired, weak, or lifeless spaces,” explains Carter. “They’re always changing and growing, which can help people take action and get the ball rolling in any area of their life. ” Chi echoed this sentiment, adding that “plants bring the wood element into a space, which is one of the five main feng shui elements. This creates and supports the energy of vibrant health, growth, and exploration.”  

Additionally, plants’ air-purifying capabilities promote “good oxygenation levels, which is the basis of positive feng shui for health and well-being,” adds Chi. “Greenery also introduces mother nature’s vibrant, life-giving energy into a space, and every person needs that.” 

The Bagua: What Is It & How Does It Affect You?

According to Chi, the bagua is an energy map that shows the feng shui anatomy of a home. “It helps one see (and change) certain aspects of their life that are connected to certain areas of their home,” she explains. The bagua has nine sections: wealth and prosperity, fame and reputation, relationships, family and physical health, spiritual health and well-being, children and creativity, knowledge and personal growth, career, and travel and connections.  

“Each area of the bagua needs specific feng shui elements in order to thrive,” adds Chi. “For example, the ‘family and physical health’ area, which lies on the east side of your home, loves the wood element (plants), and the water element (a fountain), but cannot tolerate too much fire (a fireplace) or metal (metal shelving).”  

As mentioned above, plants are representative of the wood element, which thrives in the east, southeast, and south areas of the home. With that said, each plant brings a different energy to a space. 

“While the lush areca palm gives off a flowing, soft, and vibrant energy, the sharp cactus and the pointed snake plant give off a very different energy; they’re best used as a protective feng shui cure and should be placed by a front door or a big window,” explains Chi. It’s also important that the plants you bring into your home are vibrant, lush, and healthy — dead or dying plants are bad for feng shui.  

The Best Plants for Feng Shui

Below, read up on the best feng shui plants for bringing good energy to the home, according to Chi and Carter.  

Money Tree

The Money Tree is among the most famous feng shui plants and is used to attract wealth and prosperity. Place your money plant in the southwest area of your home (the “wealth” section on the bagua) to get the most out of this plant. 

Snake Plants

As mentioned above, the sword-like snake plant, or Sansevieria, can serve as a protector and is best positioned by the front door or a large window. It’s also good in an office or home office as it brings a vibrant, focused energy to a space. Avoid placing a snake plant in a bedroom or children’s rooms.

Hedgehog Aloe

Similar to the snake plant, the Hedgehog Aloe has pointed, succulent leaves and adds a protective or vibrant energy to a space. It’s also a powerful air purifier, which is great for feng shui in general. 

Philodendron

The humble Philodendron offers a great relaxing feng shui energy. It’s best placed in the southeast or east areas of the home (the wealth and physical health areas, respectively, on the bagua map).  

Rubber Plant

The Rubber Tree plant is great at removing indoor toxins and will thrive in the dining area. Similar to the philodendron, it also offers a calm, relaxing energy and will bring positivity to the southeast and east areas of the home. 

Ficus

The air-purifying ficus is great for the physical health section of the Bagua (the east area of your home). It’s also a taller plant, and can, therefore, make small homes feel more spacious. 

Pothos

The air-purifying Pothos can easily liven up stagnant or “dead” areas of your home, like above the kitchen cupboards or neglected corners. It’s incredibly low-maintenance and will bring a positive energy to a home (even if you forget to water). 

Calathea

The aesthetically-pleasing calathea is a popular decorative house plant and will be an asset to the “fame and reputation” area of your home (south on the Bagua map). It’s also a great air purifier. 

The Best Feng Shui Plants

By

Anjie Cho

Anjie Cho

Anjie Cho is a certified feng shui consultant, professional architect, and author with over 20 years of experience designing spaces. She co-founded the Mindful Design Feng Shui School and wrote "Holistic Spaces: 108 Ways to Create a Mindful and Peaceful Home."

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 09/15/22

The Spruce

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 good 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 good 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.

The Spruce / Laura Antal

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 good 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.

Watch Now: What is the Definition of Feng Shui?

8 Feng Shui Plants to Decorate Your Home

Tips

Pilea

Pilea's round leaves resemble coins, which is why this plant is believed to attract wealth and prosperity into the life of its owner. In addition, the pilea does not require special care. All she needs is bright diffused light and regular watering.

Photo
Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

Peonies

According to Feng Shui, peonies have a special energy that attracts good luck both in career and business, as well as in personal life. Moreover, their influence directly depends on the shade of the buds. Red peonies ignite passion between lovers, while white flowers bring peace and tranquility to the house. By the way, if you have not yet planted or transplanted peonies in your area, now is the time to do it, and then next year you will have healthy, lush bushes. nine0003

Photo
Valeriia Miller/Pexels

Citrus trees

Citrus fruits radiate not only a pleasant aroma, but also positive energy. According to Feng Shui, a lemon, orange or tangerine tree brings success and prosperity to its owner. Citrus fruits come from southern countries, so they feel best in a warm, well-lit place.

Fern

Fern is not a specific plant, but a collective name 9000 different varieties. According to Feng Shui, the fern in the house serves as a kind of filter that absorbs negative energy. In addition, it has the ability to purify the air from dust and harmful impurities.

Photo
Ceci Freeman/Unsplash

Spathiphyllum

Spathiphyllum is popularly called "women's happiness". According to legend, if you surround the plant with attention and care, it will bring good luck in love and family life. It is also believed that the spathiphyllum, located on the windowsill, protects the house from negative energy. nine0003

Photo
IKEA

Epipremnum

According to Feng Shui, epipremnum symbolizes peace and tranquility. This plant does not require much care and does not need bright light, so it does well away from a window.

Photo
Nathan Oakley/Unsplash

Crassula

Crassula, which is also called the "money tree", attracts prosperity and well-being. To enhance this effect, the plant should be placed in the southeastern part of the house, where, according to Feng Shui, the wealth zone is located. nine0003

Aloe

According to Feng Shui, aloe on the windowsill serves as a protection from other people's negative energy. One of the main advantages of this plant is unpretentiousness. He is not afraid of drought, but sunlight is very important. The ideal place for aloe is the southern windowsill.

photo
IKEA

Tags

FENSHUI flowers: indoor plants in the apartment or house

, despite external beauty, interfere with us in a residential interior.

And they interfere precisely energetically

Not all indoor plants are the same. There are also outright pests. Who are they and what Feng Shui advises to do with them - in today's material.

Karin & Sara

Most of us think of indoor plants as something like furniture: where you put them, they grow there. Technically this is true, but not really. It has been proven that plants react to what is happening around, recognize the owner.

The characteristics of different plants should be taken into account when planning interior design. Because some indoor flowers, from the point of view of Feng Shui, will help in moving things forward, while others will harm and interfere with your plans. nine0003

Ally Fountain Design

Artificial flowers
Usually fabric or, even worse, plastic (even if very high quality) flowers. They easily collect dust, but it is difficult to wash them. Artificial flowers in the house, according to Feng Shui, should not be kept: they bring stagnant energy into the house, and it is better to remove them from the apartment.

Oksana Tsymbalova/Studio "HOUSE OF THE SUN"

Branches
Dry sharp branches (natural or artificial) also do not contribute to the harmonization of space: it is believed that they emit unfavorable, sharp "rays" of Sha energy. nine0003

Mikhail Loskutov

Dried flowers
According to Feng Shui, dry house flowers are not much better than artificial ones. Yes, once such plants were alive. But now, instead of juicy, energetic yang energy, they emit a dull yin energy. Everything would be fine, but only if such bouquets inadvertently ended up in the sector of the sphere where things got stuck, then the process will not move forward in any way. Take away!

GOBI table

Cacti
Another not very favorable plant - it is believed that thorns also actively emit harmful Sha energy, which moves only in a straight line. Therefore, a battery of assorted cacti (even if they are blooming) is not the best idea for a room, and even more so for a bedroom. nine0003

Entrance Fastighetsmäkleri

However, cacti also have a positive function: they are good protection against "poison arrows" coming from the street through the window. For example, they provide protection from sharp corners of buildings, lonely factory chimneys, and so on. So if your apartment is not located in the most successful area, and the cactus is protection, and not “just a flower that is difficult to ruin due to forgetfulness,” let it grow. And even in the bedroom. Just move it closer to the window.

Alexander White

Pike tail
He is also "mother-in-law's tongue" or scientifically - sansevieria plant. An unpleasant fame has been attached to him: supposedly in the houses where this flower grows, women remain lonely. From a feng shui point of view, sharp lanceolate leaves emit not the most pleasant energies. Rather than checking whether it is true or not, it is better to take the plant out of the bedroom into some public place such as a corridor, hall or living room.

Chambers Interiors & Associates, Inc.

Bonsai
I agree, it is very beautiful, decorative, unusual. But! The tree, which was supposed to be huge, but remained miniature, distorts space. His growth is retarded, distorted. Now imagine that the bonsai is in the sector of career or wealth. Would you wish for micro-incomes or a hopelessly stuck career?

In general, any restrictions on the natural growth of any plants, not just trees (as in bonsai), are not very favorable.

Olga Shangina | Photography

In the photo: do not confuse bonsai - artificially limited plant - and an unusual planter for planting traditional flowers. The idea from the photo is a krasula (money tree) in a container resembling a three-liter jar. You can store money in a symbolic egg-cup, just make sure that the planter does not restrict the growth of the plant too much

INTERIOR DESIGN BY KIRILLOVA

Maria Teresa Furnari

Creeping plants
Good on the street, where they hang beautifully along the walls of the facade from the roofs of the gazebos. Acceptable in a spacious apartment. And in a small one full of climbing flowers, you will constantly suffer from depression, sometimes not even understanding what is happening to you. nine0003

The thing is that ampelous (weaving) plants have a pronounced yin energy. It's neither bad nor good, it's just a given. The energy in the apartment slows down a lot, turns into a sort of "jelly" or even "swamp". It becomes difficult to work in the office, in the bedroom you always want to lie on the bed, thoughts get confused, plans spread - no clarity.

Chalotte Kamp Kruse // Decor Studio

Tip: If you like hanging plants, limit them to one. This is not only feng shui for you, but any interior designer will advise you: a single plant looks (and works) much more advantageously than a garden on a windowsill. nine0003

Scandinavian Homes

Bedroom and plants
There is a lot of talk about plants being unfavorable in the bedroom. Healthy fresh flowers, especially large plants in tubs, give off strong yang energy, and a yin one is needed in the bedroom. The way out is this: close pets in pots at night with a thick curtain. You can double - it's even better.

Sergey Krasyuk

Fact: Plants in the bedroom, according to Feng Shui, do not interfere with everyone and not always. You just need to be aware of such an effect and take action if this is your case. nine0003

Design Studio Hotchin

Winter gardens - on the balcony
If you really like indoor plants and want to grow them calmly, so that they do not interfere with anyone in the apartment, the ideal solution is a winter garden on the balcony.

Sarah Greenman

From the point of view of Feng Shui, it is a balcony that is favorable for floriculture and horticulture, not a loggia (an external room with a separate entrance). The balcony does not belong to any zone, and you can enjoy your garden without fear of harming current affairs. nine0003

Grigory Sokolinsky

Almost everything is possible in a vase
Live cut flowers — traditional ones from the store or large leaves of indoor flowers, as in the photo — can refresh and renew the energies of the sector in which they are placed. True, for this it is necessary to carry out some preliminary work: to find the right sector, to understand what exactly is wrong there. The general principle is clear: remove all diseased, inanimate, add succulent plants. Even in a bouquet and for a while.

Which houseplants, according to Feng Shui, are considered auspicious - we'll talk in a separate article.

Learn more