8 Good Luck Plants to Grow for Positive Vibes

Lucky Bamboo

Dracaena sanderiana

No soil? No problem. Lucky bamboo grows great with just an inch or two of water at the bottom of a container. Surround its base with vase marbles to keep it standing tall. Refresh its water every seven to 10 days.

Although lucky bamboo isn’t technically bamboo (it’s part of the asparagus family) — it’s thought to bring good fortune nonetheless based on its number of stalks. If your lucky bamboo has one stalk, that’s good luck; two stalks represents love; three stalks means happiness and wealth. Watch out for four stalks, though. The number four in Chinese sounds like the word for ‘death,’ so it’s considered very unlucky.

Check out these common houseplants that are popular for a reason.

Chinese Money Plant

Pilea peperomioides

Pancake plant, UFO plant, Chinese money plant — whatever you call it, this houseplant has been a long-time favorite thanks to its coin-shaped leaves and how easy it is to propagate.

Within Feng Shui principles, the southeast corner of a room is considered the wealth corner, which can be activated by placing objects there that represent money. Chinese money plants are a great choice for this reason but there’s an added bonus, too. Chinese money plants get leggy fast without bright, indirect light. A southeast-facing window with a bit of afternoon shade is the perfect way to get the light it needs.

Grapes

Vitis spp.

In Spain and other parts of Latin America, instead of toasting New Year’s Eve with champagne, people eat a dozen grapes — one for each chime of the clock at midnight. You can grow your own good luck grape plants in your backyard.

Once established on a trellis or other support structure, a single vine can produce 10 to 20 pounds of grapes. Most backyard gardeners elect for American grape varieties, which do better in cold weather than European varieties. Grape vines do best in full sun and should be pruned thoughtfully. Prune too little or too much and you may not get as large a harvest.

English Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender, which takes its name from the Latin “to wash,” has been beloved for thousands of years and used in medicine, perfumes, soaps and more. Maybe you’ve even enjoyed it in a latte! Its relaxing scent promotes good sleep and, in Feng Shui, can promote good luck and health.

There are nearly 50 species of lavender, but English lavender is the common choice for gardeners. It’s hardy in Zones 5 to 9 but needs well-draining soil to truly thrive.

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Essential in the kitchen, basil also generates wealth and abundance, according to Feng Shui practices.

Basil is a popular herb to grow right on the kitchen counter where it can be in close reach, but it requires a lot of sun and a healthy amount of watering to really take off. Try keeping it outside in the warm summer months where it can soak up the sun’s rays, then move it back inside when the season turns over.

Peony

Paeonia spp.

Peonies show up across history and culture, from Chinese and Japanese art where they symbolize good fortune to Ancient Greek myths. Peonies get their name from the Greek god and healing deity Paeon. It makes sense that they’re connected to medicine — peonies have been used medicinally to treat issues like headaches and muscle cramps.

To grow good luck peony plants of your own, start in fall. Select a site that receives full sun for about six to eight hours a day. Plant peony tubers no more than 2 inches deep in moist, well-draining soil about six weeks before the first frost.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums or mums are one of the most popular flowers across history and their name alone is proof. It’s a combination of the Greek words for “golden” and “flower.” In Eastern countries, like China and Japan, chrysanthemum tea is used to soothe sore throats and is considered especially beneficial partly because chrysanthemums symbolize long life.

When it comes to mum varieties, there’s a huge range, so you can find something that works for your Zone and garden. But no matter which you choose, be sure to keep their soil moist. Chrysanthemums are thirsty good luck plants!

Money Tree

Pachira aquatica

Although it gained its association with good fortune in Taiwan, China and Japan, money trees are native to Central and South America. Their distinctive braid is created when plants are young and pliable enough to be twisted together into the eye-catching shape.

Money trees prefer moist well-draining soil, so allow the soil to dry before grabbing the watering can. They tend to be low-maintenance houseplants once you find the right spot for them. Try placing your money tree in a window that receives at least six hours of bright, indirect light during the day. Then sit back and watch your money tree (and your luck) grow.

Sources

• Britannica – Feng shui
• Good Housekeeping – The Ultimate Lucky Bamboo Plant Care Guide
• Atlas Obscura – Twelve Grapes
• Kansas State University Horticulture Report – Grapes
• Homes & Gardens – Does Lavender Attract Wealth?
• North Carolina State Extension – Lavender: History, Taxonomy, and Production
• Almanac – How to Grow Chrysanthemums: The Complete Chrysanthemum Flower Guide
• New York Botanical Garden – Money tree (Pachira aquatica)
• WebMD – Peony – Uses, Side Effects, and More
• National Library of Medicine – Phytochemicals, therapeutic benefits and applications of chrysanthemum flower: A review
• Garden Flora: The Natural and Cultural History of the Plants in Your Garden by Noel Kingsbury
• The Reason for Flowers: Their History, Culture, Biology and How They Change Lives by Stephen Buchmann