These Houseplants Will Bring You Good Luck
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If you're looking for a way to boost your luck—and who isn't?—adding good luck plants to your home decor might be just what you need. Whether you embrace the feng shui principle that plants bring good energy to your home or simply love being surrounded by beautiful low-maintenance plants, greenery brings instant warmth and coziness to any room of the house.
Prosperity, peace, and health aren't the only things good luck plants will bring into your home. Plenty of studies have found that plants really are good for us—both emotionally and physically. Tons of research has shown that plants boost mood, improve sleep, and help us feel happier and less isolated. Good health and good luck? We're on board!
When shopping, pay attention to the conditions your indoor plants need because a dying plant definitely isn't going to bring you good luck! For starters, give it the right amount of light; that typically means an east-, west-, or south-facing window. If your rooms are dark or windowless, use a grow light. Then be prudent about watering. More plants die from overwatering than underwatering. To avoid drowning your plant, poke your finger in the soil before giving it a drink; if soil clings to your finger, it’s probably still moist enough. Wait a few more days, then recheck.
Read on to learn our favorite good luck plants for your home.
Lucky Bamboo
Despite its name, this actually isn't a bamboo plant. It's a type of dracaena that has the lower foliage stripped off to resemble bamboo! The good news is that it's incredibly easy to grow, so it's perfect for plant parents of all experience levels.
Lucky bamboo does best in medium to bright indirect light but will tolerate low light. If yours is growing in a container of water, change the water weekly. In soil, keep it slightly moist.
Oxalis
Oxalis, or lucky shamrock plant, is associated with St. Patrick's Day and is said to bring good luck to the home. With three-lobed green or burgundy foliage and delicate flowers that bloom for weeks and weeks, these seasonal favorites are long lived and low maintenance.
Give it bright, indirect light, and let it dry out slightly between waterings. Also, be aware that some species of this plant go dormant a few times a year. When you notice the leaves turn pale and drop off, stop watering it, place it in a dark spot, and leave it alone. When you notice new growth, move it back into the light and resume watering.
Pilea
The glossy, coin-shaped leaves of a pilea plant (aka Chinese money plant) are purported to bring wealth and luck. It's also super easy to propagate and share with loved ones, which lends a sense of prosperity to the giver. Give it bright, indirect light, and water when it feels mostly dry.
Money Tree
Also called Pachira aquatica, this sturdy plant prefers medium to bright indirect light but will tolerate low light levels just fine too. As you might suspect given its name, it's said to bring its owner wealth and often given to new businesses to wish them good fortune. Some even consider money trees to be the luckiest houseplants of all.
Rotate the pot once a week so that the branches will grow evenly, and water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.
Peace Lily
It's no surprise that this elegant plant is purported to bring harmony to your home. Peace lilies have glossy green leaves and pretty white spoon-shaped flowers if they get sufficient light. Give it bright, indirect light, though it will adapt to lower light levels (it just won't flower as much). Keep the soil lightly moist. Avoid this plant if you're a pet owner, since it's especially toxic to cats.
Chrysanthemum
A symbol of longevity and good luck, the chrysanthemum is a beautiful plant to enjoy indoors and out. Also called mums, these flowers are perennial if you plant them in the spring in your garden. If you plant them in the fall, they may not have enough time to establish their roots and make it through the winter. However, you can enjoy mums as gifts any time of year because they'll bloom indoors for several weeks. Because they're not meant to be saved, you can place gift mums anywhere indoors. Just water them when the soil feels slightly dry on top.
Jade Plant
Jade plants are said to bring wealth and longevity and can live for decades with the proper care. Resembling tiny trees with plump, glossy round or tubular leaves, they prefer bright, indirect light but not direct sunlight, which will scorch them. Because they're succulents, water jade plants only when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. Overwatering will cause them to turn to mush.
Peony
The gorgeous peony is a symbol of wealth and rank. This stunning perennial can live for decades. It blooms for weeks in late spring with big, lavish blossoms. Plant your peony's "eyes" (pink buds on the roots) just below the soil surface (if you plant too deep, it won't bloom), and give it direct sunlight for six or more hours a day. Water weekly to get established; after that, peonies are drought tolerant.
Citrus Tree
A symbol of prosperity since ancient times, citrus trees—Meyer lemon, kumquat, take your pick—make a wonderful indoor or patio plant. Give these trees direct sun for six or more hours per day, or use a grow light. Water when the soil feels slightly dry on top.
Lavender
Lavender flowers are said to bring serenity, and studies show that they actually live up to the hype because they contain powerful phytochemicals that can be mood boosters for people and pets.
This plant can be fussy to grow indoors, but it's a cinch to grow outdoors. Just give it full sun and make sure it's in a well-draining spot (or a container if you have clay soil). Water only when very dry.
Hoya Heart
The single heart-shaped foliage of this plant represents true love and harmony. Give it bright, indirect light, and water when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch, usually every week or two.
Rosemary
The scent of a rosemary plant can calm the body and energize the mind, and it was once thought to bring good luck to travelers. This culinary herb is a tender perennial, which means it can be planted in the garden in warm climates. Give it full sun, and water it only sparingly; this native Mediterranean plant prefers to be on the dry side. Indoors, it needs a sunny windowsill with direct sunlight or a grow light.
SHOP ROSEMARY PLANTS
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