As we step into a new year, many of us look for ways to bring positive energy, good fortune, and prosperity into our lives. While traditions and rituals vary, one timeless and natural way to invite these blessings into your home is through houseplants. Whether you believe in the metaphysical properties of plants or simply love the aesthetic they bring, the idea that certain plants can attract luck and prosperity is rooted in both cultural beliefs and modern-day practices.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the most popular houseplants thought to bring good fortune, wealth, and abundance. Here’s how you can kick off the New Year with plants that not only brighten your space but also inspire positivity and prosperity.
1. The Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica) 🌳💰
Perhaps the most famous plant associated with wealth and good luck is the Money Tree. Known for its braided trunk and lush, green leaves, the Money Tree is often kept in homes and offices to attract financial success and good fortune.
Feng Shui Connection: In Feng Shui, the Money Tree symbolizes the flow of positive energy (or “Chi”) and is believed to attract wealth and prosperity when placed in specific areas of the home, such as the southeast corner, which is linked to abundance. It’s also said to promote harmony and balance, making it an ideal plant to welcome the new year.
Care Tips: The Money Tree thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers moderate watering—be careful not to overwater as it’s prone to root rot. This plant is generally low-maintenance, making it perfect for anyone looking to add both a touch of green and a bit of luck to their space without much hassle.
2. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) 🎋🍀
Another popular plant associated with luck and prosperity is Lucky Bamboo. While not technically bamboo, this resilient plant has become a staple in homes and offices, especially in the East where it is regarded as a symbol of good fortune.
Feng Shui and Symbolism: According to Feng Shui, the number of stalks in a Lucky Bamboo arrangement can influence the type of luck it brings. For example:
- Two stalks: Love and relationships.
- Three stalks: Happiness, long life, and wealth.
- Five stalks: Health and wealth.
- Eight stalks: Prosperity.
Incorporating Lucky Bamboo into your home this New Year could bring specific blessings based on the number of stalks you choose.
Care Tips: Lucky Bamboo is easy to care for, requiring just water (preferably distilled or purified) and indirect light. It can even grow in a vase of water with pebbles to anchor the stems.
3. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) 🌿💸
Known as the “Money Plant” in many cultures, the Jade Plant is a succulent that is said to bring prosperity, good fortune, and wealth. Its thick, fleshy leaves, which resemble coins, are often associated with financial success and abundance.
Symbolism: In Chinese culture, the Jade Plant is believed to attract wealth, and its round leaves are thought to symbolize money and financial growth. People often keep the plant near their front door or in their home’s “wealth corner” (southeast) to invite prosperity into their lives.
Care Tips: Jade Plants are easy to care for and thrive in bright, direct light. They need well-draining soil and should only be watered when the soil is dry. As a succulent, the Jade Plant is drought-tolerant and doesn’t require frequent watering.
4. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) 🌿🌟
While often seen as a low-maintenance houseplant that can survive in various lighting conditions, Pothos is also associated with positive energy and growth. This trailing vine is widely believed to enhance the flow of wealth and success, especially when grown in abundance.
Feng Shui Belief: Pothos is seen as a plant that encourages wealth and personal development. Its ability to grow vigorously and expand in size symbolizes the growth of your personal and financial fortunes.
Care Tips: Pothos thrives in low to bright, indirect light and requires watering when the top inch of soil is dry. It’s an easy-to-grow plant that’s perfect for beginners, and its cascading vines can add a lush, green touch to any space.
5. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) 🌿💚
Often referred to as the “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” the Snake Plant is known for its resilience and air-purifying properties. It’s also thought to bring protection and good luck, especially in the workplace.
Symbolism: In Feng Shui, the Snake Plant is considered a powerful energy cleanser and a symbol of stability. Its upright leaves represent strength and protection, and it’s thought to absorb negative energy while promoting vitality.
Care Tips: Snake Plants are extremely easy to care for, thriving in low to bright light and requiring very little water. They are perfect for those who want to add a low-maintenance plant with both decorative and symbolic benefits to their home.
6. Citrus Trees (e.g., Lemon, Orange) 🍊🍋
Citrus trees, especially Lemon and Orange Trees, are frequently associated with prosperity and good fortune. In many cultures, the bright fruits and aromatic leaves symbolize abundance and vitality.
Symbolism: In Feng Shui, citrus trees represent wealth and vitality, with the fruit often symbolizing prosperity. A small citrus tree placed in the home can be seen as an inviting gesture to wealth and good fortune for the coming year.
Care Tips: These plants thrive in bright, direct sunlight and need regular watering, but they don’t like to stay soggy. They also benefit from occasional fertilizing and can be grown in pots, making them perfect for homes and apartments.
7. African Violet (Saintpaulia) 🌸✨
While known for their beautiful flowers, African Violets are also considered symbols of good luck and spiritual balance. Their vibrant, colorful blooms represent harmony, and the plant is often kept as a symbol of peace and prosperity in the home.
Symbolism: African Violets are believed to bring a sense of calm and positive energy. They are thought to attract wealth by promoting balance in one’s personal and financial life.
Care Tips: African Violets prefer indirect light and should be watered from below to avoid getting water on their leaves. They thrive in humid conditions and benefit from regular feeding to encourage blooming.
Conclusion: A Prosperous Start to the New Year 🌱🎉
Whether you’re drawn to the symbolism of the plants or simply love having greenery in your space, introducing these lucky houseplants into your home can be a wonderful way to welcome the New Year. Not only do they add beauty and life to your surroundings, but they may also help attract good fortune, wealth, and positive energy for the months ahead.
So, this New Year, why not fill your home with plants that inspire growth, prosperity, and positivity? Whether you’re starting fresh with a new Money Tree or adding a few Lucky Bamboo stalks to your decor, these plants are a perfect way to set the stage for a year full of abundance and good luck.
Happy New Year, and may your plants—and your life—flourish! 🌱✨
Featured image credit: Mokkie, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons