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The 14 Best Feng Shui Plants to Use In Your Home

Plus which plants to avoid

good and bad feng shui plants

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.

  • 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.
bagua chart

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.

  • 01 of 14

    Areca Palm

    Areca palm in white and brown patterned pot next to mirror and wooden side table

    The Spruce / Candace Madonna

    The areca palm can grow larger than many other houseplants, and it has lovely, fan-like leaves. It needs bright, indirect light.

    • Name: Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
    • Light: Full to partial sun
    • Water: Water when soil dries out
    • Mature Size: Up to 7 feet tall
  • 02 of 14

    Boston Fern

    Boston fern plant in wicker holder next to chair

    The Spruce / Kara Riley

    Boston ferns are easy to care for indoors, as long as you have enough light. The petite versions are perfect for small spaces and hanging. 

    • Name: Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
    • 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
  • 03 of 14

    Snake Plant

    Mother in law's tongue plant in dark blue pot in corner of sunroom

    The Spruce / Candace Madonna

    Snake plant 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 plant within the Dracaena genus, ranging from ones with tall and narrow leaves to some with short and wide leaves.

    • Name: Snake Plant (Dracaena spp.)
    • Light: Bright, indirect light to low light
    • Water: Water when soil feels completely dry
    • Mature Size: Up 3 feet tall
  • 04 of 14

    Jade

    Jade plant in white pot on white nightstand next to feng shui decor items

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Also referred to as a money plant, the jade succulent features many rounded leaves. This gives the plant a soft, lush appearance.

    • Name: Jade Plant (Crassula spp.)
    • Light: Full sun
    • Water: Keep soil moist but not soggy during growing season
    • Mature Size: Up to 5 feet tall 
    Continue to 5 of 14 below
  • 05 of 14

    Lucky Bamboo

    Lucky bamboo plant in blue ceramic pot next to green cup of tea and feng shui items

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Bamboo 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.

    • Name: Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
    • 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
  • 06 of 14

    Golden Pothos

    Golden pothos plant hanging from ceiling in from of brick wall and above gold lamp

    The Spruce / Candace Madonna

    The golden pothos is easy to care for and fun to propagate. It grows lush, trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves.

    • Name: Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
    • 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
  • 07 of 14

    Anthurium Clarinervium

    anthurium clarinervium

    Firn / Getty Images

    The large velvety, almost heart-shaped leaves of the Anthurium clarinervium make this leafy green guy an obvious choice when it comes to picking a feng shui plant. Place this on a shelf that has sharp corners as a counterbalance.

    • Name: Anthurium clarinervium (Anthurium clarinervium)
    • 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
  • 08 of 14

    Money Tree

    Pachira Aquatica

    Polina Sergeyeva / Getty Images

    Money trees 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.

    • Name: Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
    • 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
    Continue to 9 of 14 below
  • 09 of 14

    Bird of Paradise

    bird of paradise

    Hugo Goudswaard / Getty Images

    The lush leaves of this beauty make it an excellent feng shui plant. 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. 

    • Name: Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)
    • 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
  • 10 of 14

    Peace Lily

    peace lily

    Grumpy Cow Studios / Getty Images

    People seem to love the peace lily, 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.

    • Name: Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
    • 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
  • 11 of 14

    Chinese Money Plant

    Chinese money plant

    Dima Berlin / Getty Images

    This 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). It’s 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. 

    • Name: Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
    • Light: Bright, indirect light
    • Water: Water when the soil feels dry to the touch
    • Mature Size: Up to 1 foot tall
  • 12 of 14

    Rubber Plant

    rubber plant

    Oscar Wong / Getty Images

    Whether you choose a normal rubber plant 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. 

    • Name: Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
    • Light: Bright, indirect light
    • Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry
    • Mature Size: Up to 10 feet tall
    Continue to 13 of 14 below
  • 13 of 14

    String of Hearts

    string of hearts

    AnSyvanych / Getty Images

    This whimsical trailing plant 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. 

    • Name: String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
    • 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
  • 14 of 14

    Peacock Plant

    peacock plant

    sarayut Thaneerat / Getty Images

    Any variety of Calathea seems to look as if the leaves have been painted, but the peacock plant has that look down pat. The delicate, large rounded leaves are why it makes an excellent choice for a feng shui plant. In the evenings the leaves may fold inwards, revealing a purple underside, and then unfold in the morning sun. 

    • Name: Peacock Plant (Calathea makoyana)
    • 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.