Lucky plants and good vibes: where to put them, culture by culture
Feng Shui, Vastu, Japan, Brazil, Panama and more: easy ideas for choosing and placing your plants at the entrance, in the living room, bedroom, office or garden.
These are traditions and beliefs from different cultures, not magic promises: the best vibe comes from a healthy plant, well placed and well cared for.
The 10 plant vibes
Each plant brings a different energy according to tradition. Tap a vibe to see the plants that have it.
- ProsperityPlants associated with abundance and good fortune.
- ProtectionPlants that many cultures place at the entrance to “look after” the home.
- CalmSoft green leaves that invite you to slow down.
- LoveHeart-shaped leaves and flowers, pink or red.
- Energy & joyBright colors that wake up any corner.
- WelcomePlants that symbolize hospitality in many cultures.
- New beginningsPlants that grow fast or multiply on their own.
- RestCalm plants, ideal for the bedroom.
- FreshnessGreenery that feels like jungle and fresh air.
- CreativityPainted leaves and curious shapes that inspire.
Where to put each plant? Room by room
What different cultures say about every corner of your home, office or business.
Entrance and front door
- Protection
- Welcome
It's the first thing your guests see and, according to many cultures, where the home's energy comes in.
- Feng Shui: Clear the way and place healthy plants on either side: the door is the “mouth of chi”.
- Brazil: A snake plant by the door, as a guardian.
- Latin America: An aloe vera with a red ribbon near the entrance to ward off bad vibes.
- Hawaii: An anthurium to welcome guests.
- Persian garden: Plants in pairs, one on each side: symmetry brings order and calm.
Ideal plants
Snake plant Cylindrical snake plant Aloe vera Pink anthurium Areca palm Young cypress Lipstick palm
Avoid: Dry or wilted plants at the entrance: they give a sense of neglect.
Living room
- Prosperity
- Freshness
The heart of the home: this is where a large star plant shines.
- Feng Shui: A “money” plant in the southeast corner and another in every empty corner.
- Vastu: Large plants toward the south or west; small ones toward the north and east.
- Japan: A single large plant with space around it is worth more than ten small ones.
- Panama: Big native leaves, like the monstera or the philodendron, to bring the jungle indoors.
Ideal plants
ZZ plant Areca palm Monstera Arrowleaf philodendron Caladium Red aglaonema Stromanthe Triostar
Avoid: Blocking windows or hallways with big pots.
Kitchen and dining room
- Freshness
- Welcome
Plants that smell good, brighten the table and can take the kitchen heat.
- Mediterranean: Herbs on the kitchen windowsill, always within reach.
- Latin America: Aloe vera on the kitchen windowsill is a grandma classic.
- Vastu: Aloe vera on the windowsill helps “balance the fire” of the kitchen.
- Colonial: An anthurium or a begonia in the center of the dining table.
Ideal plants
Variegated Cuban oregano Aloe vera Coffee plant Pink anthurium Multicolor begonia Spider plant
Avoid: Plants right next to the stove or oven.
Bedroom
- Rest
- Calm
- Love
A few calm plants with soft leaves.
- Feng Shui: Avoid spines near the bed; soft, rounded leaves are better. Pink or red flowers are associated with love.
- Vastu: The snake plant and the peace lily are favorites for the bedroom.
- Japan: A single plant in a corner, with plenty of free space.
Ideal plants
Peace lily Snake plant Striped calathea Silver calathea Flame violet Pink succulent
Avoid: Cacti next to the bed and filling the room with pots.
Bathroom
- Freshness
- Calm
Bathroom humidity is a spa for jungle plants, as long as there's some natural light.
- Feng Shui: Plants “balance” the excess water in the bathroom.
- Victorian England: A hanging fern, like in old-fashioned bathrooms.
- Japan: Stones, light wood and a green plant: your onsen-style bathroom.
Ideal plants
Boston fern Striped calathea Spider plant Turtle vine Flame violet Green curtain pilea
Avoid: Bathrooms with no window at all: there, even shade plants suffer.
Office and desk
- Prosperity
- Creativity
Hardy plants that can handle air conditioning and forgetfulness.
- Feng Shui: A ZZ plant in the southeast corner of the desk or office, the prosperity zone.
- Indonesia: An aglaonema (“Sri Rejeki”) at reception or on the desk for good fortune.
- Japan: A tidy desk with a single plant helps you focus.
Ideal plants
ZZ plant Red aglaonema Cylindrical snake plant Snake plant Peace lily Coffee plant
Avoid: Putting the plant right under the air conditioning vent.
Balcony and terrace
- Energy & joy
- Freshness
Your little piece of garden: choose based on how much sun it gets.
- Mediterranean: Pots hung on the wall and colorful flowers.
- Japan: A palm or bamboo in a large pot, stones and a wooden bench.
- Feng Shui: Cacti and spiny plants go out here, where they “protect” the home.
Ideal plants
Pygmy date palm Galphimia Purple allamanda Purple heart Rat tail cactus Multicolor begonia Caladium
Avoid: Shade plants on balconies with direct afternoon sun.
Yard and garden
- Prosperity
- Protection
- Energy & joy
This is where palms, hedges and fruit trees fit.
- Feng Shui: Curved paths to the door instead of straight ones: they let energy arrive gently.
- Vastu: Large trees to the south or west; keep the north and east more open.
- Persian garden: Divide it into four with a fountain or birdbath in the center.
- Panama: Colorful palms, crotons and copperleaf, like in traditional Panamanian yards.
Ideal plants
Lipstick palm Manila palm Mast tree Red ixora Copperleaf Chenille plant Sanchezia Fruit tree seedlings
Avoid: Large trees right against the house or the pipes.
Business, shop and reception
- Prosperity
- Welcome
Plants at a business entrance say “welcome” before anyone else does.
- Feng Shui: Plants with round, glossy leaves near the entrance or the register, never dry.
- Hawaii: An anthurium at reception as a symbol of hospitality.
- China: At Chinese New Year, little trees with golden fruit (like the kumquat) are given to businesses to wish them wealth.
Ideal plants
ZZ plant Red aglaonema Pink anthurium Areca palm Snake plant Flowering kalanchoe
Avoid: Dusty artificial plants or neglected real ones in the shop window.
Beach house
- Freshness
- Energy & joy
Plants that can take sun, wind and salt air.
- Hawaii: Palms and red flowers for an island feel.
- Mediterranean: Succulents and aloe vera in clay pots on white walls.
- Brazil: A Saint George's sword at the door and lots of tropical green.
Ideal plants
Manila palm Pygmy date palm Aloe vera Galphimia Cylindrical snake plant Pink succulent Torch cactus
Avoid: Ferns and calatheas outdoors facing the sea.
Plants according to each culture
Eleven traditions from around the world, explained simply, with a fun fact from each one.
China
Feng Shui
Energy (“chi”) should flow gently through the home. Plants represent the wood element: growth, health and abundance.
- The front door is the “mouth of chi”: keep it clear and welcome guests with healthy plants.
- The southeast corner of the living room or office is associated with prosperity: that's where “money” plants go, like the ZZ plant.
- Choose soft, rounded leaves indoors; cacti and spiny plants are better outside or on the windowsill.
- Put a plant in empty corners: they're said to soften stagnant energy.
- Remove dry leaves and dead plants: they're considered stagnant energy.
Cultural fact: Numbers matter: lucky bamboo is almost never given with 4 stalks, because in Chinese “four” sounds like “death”.
Panama has the largest community of Chinese origin in Central America: the first arrived on March 30, 1854 to build the railroad. That's why Feng Shui and “lucky plants” are part of many Panamanian homes and businesses.
Plants that go with this tradition
ZZ plant Red aglaonema Pink anthurium Peace lily Snake plant Green curtain pilea Fruit tree seedlings
India
Vastu Shastra
India's ancient architecture arranges the home by the cardinal directions so that morning light and good energy can come in.
- The northeast is the most sacred zone: small, bright plants, never large trees.
- “Money” plants (climbers with round leaves) are recommended in the southeast.
- Trees and large plants go to the south or west of the property, so they don't block the morning sun.
- No cacti or spiny plants inside the home (the rose is the exception).
- Aloe vera is recommended in the north or east, and the areca palm also in the north or east.
Cultural fact: Vastu's most sacred plant is tulsi, or holy basil, which is placed in the northeast or east and tended every day.
Plants that go with this tradition
Japan
Japan: Zen and wabi-sabi
Less is more. Wabi-sabi finds beauty in the simple and imperfect, and empty space (“ma”) matters as much as the plant.
- Choose one star plant per room instead of many small ones.
- Use clay, stone or ceramic pots in earth tones.
- Leave free space around it: the plant needs to “breathe”.
- Combine green leaves with stones and light wood: it's the basis of the japandi style.
Cultural fact: “Forest bathing” (shinrin-yoku) is a Japanese idea: the term was coined in 1982 by the head of Japan's Forestry Agency to encourage city dwellers to spend time in nature.
Plants that go with this tradition
ZZ plant Cylindrical snake plant Striped calathea Pygmy date palm Boston fern
Brazil
Brazil
Many Brazilian homes have a “guardian” plant at the entrance, and giving plants to wish someone good fortune is a custom.
- Put a snake plant (“Saint George's sword”) by the door to protect the home.
- Give a flowering kalanchoe to wish someone prosperity.
- Fill corners with tropical green: big leaves, bright colors.
Cultural fact: In Brazil the snake plant is called “Saint George's sword”, after the warrior saint who slays the dragon; in Afro-Brazilian traditions it's associated with Ogum, the protective orixá.
Plants that go with this tradition
Snake plant Flowering kalanchoe Purple allamanda Stromanthe Triostar Zebra bromeliad
Latin America
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean
Grandma's wisdom: plants to protect the home, for the kitchen and to always have on hand.
- Aloe vera goes near the front door, sometimes with a red ribbon, to ward off bad vibes and attract prosperity.
- Aromatic herbs, like Cuban oregano, live near the kitchen.
- Patios fill up with clay pots and hanging plants.
Cultural fact: Mexico's coat of arms shows an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus: according to legend, that's how the Mexica found the place where they founded Tenochtitlan.
Plants that go with this tradition
Aloe vera Variegated Cuban oregano Bunny ears cactus Purple heart Tricolor oyster plant Galphimia
Panama
Panama
We live in one of the most plant-rich countries in the world: many of the plants you have at home grow wild in our forests.
- Take inspiration from the colonial patios of Casco Antiguo: large pots, hanging ferns and a fountain or basin in the center.
- Mix native plants (monstera, philodendron, caladium) with palms for a truly Panamanian garden.
- Make the most of shade: in our climate, many foliage plants appreciate partial shade.
Cultural fact: Panama's national flower is the Holy Ghost orchid (Flor del Espíritu Santo), whose center looks like a little white dove. And the monstera is from here: it grows wild from southern Mexico to Panama.
The Geisha coffee grown in Boquete, Chiriquí, has set price records at international auctions.
Plants that go with this tradition
Monstera Arrowleaf philodendron Caladium Coffee plant Boston fern Manila palm
Spain, Italy and Greece
Mediterranean
White walls, clay pots and herbs on the windowsill. Plants that smell good, that you cook with and that give shade.
- Hang pots on the patio or balcony wall, like in Andalusian patios.
- Aromatic herbs go on the kitchen windowsill.
- A cypress at the entrance adds elegance and height.
Cultural fact: The Córdoba Patios Festival (Spain), where neighbors open their flower-filled patios, has been on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2012.
Plants that go with this tradition
Young cypress Variegated Cuban oregano Turtle vine Multicolor begonia Aloe vera
Persia (Iran), Morocco and Al-Andalus
Persian and Islamic gardens
The garden as an enclosed paradise: symmetry, water at the center, shade and fragrance.
- Divide the garden into four parts with paths that cross at a fountain or birdbath.
- Plant in pairs, matching on each side: symmetry brings calm.
- Add fragrant flowers and fruit trees.
Cultural fact: The word “paradise” comes from the ancient Iranian “pairidaeza”, meaning “walled enclosure”: that's what the enclosed gardens of the Persian kings were called.
Plants that go with this tradition
Young cypress Fruit tree seedlings Pygmy date palm Red ixora
Hawaii
Hawaii and Polynesia
Huge leaves, red flowers and the “aloha” spirit: the home opens up to welcome guests.
- Welcome guests with anthuriums and red ginger at the entrance or reception.
- Use big leaves (elephant ear, philodendron) for a tropical corner.
- Combine intense reds and greens for an island effect.
Cultural fact: The anthurium, native to Colombia, arrived in Hawaii from London in 1889 and became a symbol of hospitality there.
According to Hawaiian tradition, kalo (taro), a relative of the elephant ear, is the elder brother of the Hawaiian people.
Plants that go with this tradition
Southeast Asia
Thailand and Indonesia
Colorful leaves collected like jewels, and plants placed in front of the house to attract luck.
- Group painted-leaf plants (caladiums, aglaonemas) on a shaded terrace.
- Put an aglaonema near the entrance or your business as a good-fortune plant.
- Use colorful palms to mark the entrance on celebration days.
Cultural fact: In Thailand the caladium is so beloved that it's called “the queen of foliage plants”, and in Indonesia the aglaonema is called “Sri Rejeki”, a name linked to good fortune.
Plants that go with this tradition
United Kingdom (19th century)
Victorian England
The era when houseplants became fashionable: hanging ferns, green parlors and collections of colorful leaves.
- Hang ferns on the porch or the covered terrace.
- Group colorful-leaved plants on a table or an antique piece of furniture.
- Create a terrarium with small humidity-loving plants.
Cultural fact: Around 1850 England had a real “fern craze” (pteridomania): people collected them and used them in decor, tableware and even textiles.
Plants that go with this tradition
The vibe of each plant in our nursery
All 48 plants in our nursery, with their vibe, where to put them and a bit of their history.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera
- Protection
- Prosperity
Put it in: By the front door, Kitchen window.
In Latin America it's a tradition to place it near the door, sometimes with a red ribbon, to ward off bad vibes and attract prosperity.
Latin America and Vastu (north or east).
Areca palm
Dypsis lutescens
- Freshness
- Welcome
Put it in: Living room, Reception, On both sides of the entrance.
It comes from Madagascar. India's Vastu recommends it in the north or east of the home.
Vastu: good energy in the north and east.
Arrowleaf philodendron
Philodendron sagittifolium
- New beginnings
- Freshness
Put it in: Living room, Empty corner, Office.
“Philodendron” means “tree lover” in Greek, because in the jungle it climbs up tree trunks. It grows wild in the forests of Central America.
Panama: a little piece of our rainforest at home.
Boston fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
- Freshness
- Calm
Put it in: Bathroom, Covered terrace, Hanging pot on the porch.
Around 1850 England had a “fern craze” (pteridomania): everyone collected them.
Colonial patios and Victorian homes.
Bunny ears cactus
Opuntia microdasys
- Protection
- Energy & joy
Put it in: Sunny window, Balcony.
It's a little Mexican prickly pear, a relative of the nopal on Mexico's coat of arms, where an eagle perches on a cactus.
Mexico: the cactus of the legend.
Caladium
Caladium bicolor
- Love
- Creativity
Put it in: Living room with indirect light, Shaded terrace.
In Panama we call it Corazón de Jesús (Heart of Jesus) for its heart-shaped leaves. In Thailand it's so beloved that it's called “the queen of foliage plants”.
Thailand: collected like a jewel.
Chenille plant
Acalypha hispida
- Energy & joy
- Creativity
Put it in: Garden, Large pot on the terrace.
Its fuzzy red “tails” are clusters of hundreds of tiny flowers. It's native to New Guinea and Southeast Asia.
The tropics: joy for the garden.
Coffee plant
Coffea
- Energy & joy
- New beginnings
Put it in: Terrace, Bright window, Office.
Legend has it that an Ethiopian goatherd named Kaldi discovered coffee when he saw his goats jumping with energy. Today, Geisha coffee from Boquete breaks price records worldwide.
Panama: the pride of Chiriquí.
Copperleaf
Acalypha wilkesiana
- Protection
- Energy & joy
Put it in: Hedges, Garden border.
It comes from the South Pacific islands and is one of the most popular hedge plants in the tropics for its colorful leaves.
Panama: the colorful hedge of traditional yards.
Cylindrical snake plant
Dracaena angolensis
- Protection
- Calm
Put it in: Entrance, Hallway, Office.
It's a cousin of “Saint George's sword”. In Africa, fibers from these plants were used to make bowstrings.
Brazil and Feng Shui: a guardian plant.
Elephant ear
Araceae
- Prosperity
- Freshness
Put it in: Humid garden, By the pool, Large terrace.
It's a relative of kalo (taro), sacred in Hawaii: according to tradition, kalo is the elder brother of the Hawaiian people.
Hawaii: leaves of abundance.
Flame violet
Episcia cupreata
- Love
- Energy & joy
Put it in: Nightstand, Bright bathroom.
It's a cousin of the African violet, but it comes from the humid forests of South America. Its coppery leaves shine like velvet.
Feng Shui: red and pink flowers are associated with love.
Flowering kalanchoe
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
- Prosperity
- Love
Put it in: Table, Window, As a gift.
In Brazil it's called “flor da fortuna” (flower of fortune) and it's a popular gift to wish someone prosperity. It's from Madagascar.
Brazil: the gift of good fortune.
Fruit tree seedlings
- Prosperity
- New beginnings
Put it in: Patio, Garden, Farm.
At Chinese New Year, little kumquat and mandarin trees are given as gifts because their golden fruit symbolizes wealth.
China and Persian gardens: the tree of abundance.
Galphimia
Galphimia gracilis
- Prosperity
- Energy & joy
Put it in: Sunny garden, Balcony, Entrance.
It's native to Mexico and blooms almost all year with yellow clusters: that's why it's called “lluvia de oro” (golden rain).
Latin America: the yellow of abundance.
Green curtain pilea
Pilea
- Prosperity
- Freshness
Put it in: Hanging pot, Shelf, Bright bathroom.
It belongs to the same genus as the famous “Chinese money plant”, which went around the world after a Norwegian missionary took it from China to Europe in 1946.
Feng Shui: coin-like round leaves.
Lime coleus
Coleus scutellarioides
- Creativity
- Energy & joy
Put it in: Shaded terrace, Planter.
In 19th-century England coleus became so fashionable that new varieties were auctioned at sky-high prices.
Victorian England: the craze for colorful leaves.
Lipstick palm
Cyrtostachys renda
- Energy & joy
- Welcome
Put it in: Front garden, Entrance.
It's the symbolic plant of Jambi province, in Indonesia, where it's used to decorate weddings and important ceremonies.
Indonesia: the palm of celebrations.
Manila palm
Adonidia merrillii
- Welcome
- Energy & joy
Put it in: Front garden, Entrance, Beach house.
It's called the “Christmas palm” because its fruits turn red toward the end of the year. It comes from the Philippines.
Philippines: the holiday palm.
Mast tree
Polyalthia longifolia
- Protection
- New beginnings
Put it in: Property line, Living fence, Long driveway.
It got its name because its straight trunks were used for ship masts. In India and Sri Lanka its leaves decorate doors and arches during festivals.
India and Sri Lanka: festive leaves.
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa
- New beginnings
- Freshness
Put it in: Living room, Empty corner, Covered terrace.
It's from here! The monstera grows wild from southern Mexico to Panama, and its leaves open up into “windows” as it matures.
Panama: native to our forests.
Monstrose cactus
Cereus
- Protection
- Creativity
Put it in: Dry garden, Sunny window, Outdoors.
Its wavy shape is a natural mutation: each plant grows differently, no two are alike.
Feng Shui: spines outside, guarding the home.
Mother of thousands
Kalanchoe
- New beginnings
- Prosperity
Put it in: Sunny window, Balcony.
It produces hundreds of plantlets along the edges of its leaves: hence its name. It comes from Madagascar, like its cousin the flowering kalanchoe.
A symbol of a growing family.
Multicolor begonia
Begonia
- Creativity
- Energy & joy
Put it in: Shaded terrace, Dining table.
It's named after Michel Bégon, a 17th-century French administrator in the Caribbean who loved plants.
Victorian England: queen of the parlor.
Peace lily
Spathiphyllum
- Calm
- Rest
Put it in: Bedroom, Living room, Office.
In English it's called the “peace lily”. In Spanish it's “Moses' cradle”: its white flower is said to recall baby Moses' basket.
Feng Shui: a plant of harmony.
Pineapple plant
Ananas comosus
- Welcome
- Prosperity
Put it in: Sunny patio, Large pot on the terrace.
It's from South America. In colonial Europe and America it was so exotic that it became a symbol of welcome and hospitality.
Colonial: the fruit of hospitality.
Pink anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum
- Welcome
- Love
Put it in: Entrance, Reception, Dining table.
It's native to Colombia and its Greek name means “tail flower”. It arrived in Hawaii in 1889 and became a symbol of hospitality there.
Hawaii: the flower of welcome.
Pink succulent
Crassulaceae
- Love
- Calm
Put it in: Sunny window, Bright desk.
It stores water in its chubby leaves, like a canteen, so it forgives forgetfulness.
Feng Shui: soft, rounded leaves, gentle energy.
Purple allamanda
Allamanda blanchetii
- Energy & joy
- Love
Put it in: Fence or pergola, Sunny balcony.
It's Brazilian and named after Frédéric-Louis Allamand, an 18th-century Swiss botanist.
Brazil: tropical color for fences and gates.
Purple heart
Tradescantia pallida
- Energy & joy
- Love
Put it in: Sunny balcony, Hanging pot.
It's Mexican, and its genus is named after John Tradescant, gardener to King Charles I of England. The more sun it gets, the more purple it turns.
Latin America: a must in patios and planters.
Pygmy date palm
Phoenix roebelenii
- New beginnings
- Welcome
Put it in: Entrance, Terrace, By the pool.
“Phoenix” was the Greek name for the date palm and also for the bird that rises from its ashes. This little palm comes from Southeast Asia.
A symbol of rebirth.
Rat tail cactus
Disocactus flagelliformis
- Protection
- Creativity
Put it in: Outdoor hanging pot, Sunny balcony.
It's Mexican and its stems hang down like long braids. Feng Shui and Vastu suggest keeping cacti outdoors, where their spines “protect”.
Feng Shui and Vastu: spines are better outside.
Red aglaonema
Aglaonema commutatum
- Prosperity
- Welcome
Put it in: Desk, Reception, Entrance.
In Indonesia it's called “Sri Rejeki”, a name linked to good fortune, and many families place it in front of the house.
Indonesia and China: a good-luck plant.
Red ginger
Alpinia purpurata
- Love
- Welcome
Put it in: Humid garden, Entrance.
The red parts aren't petals: they're bracts. Its true flowers are tiny and white. In Hawaii it's the star of tropical arrangements.
Hawaii: the color of welcome.
Red ixora
Ixora
- Energy & joy
- Protection
Put it in: Front garden, Entrance hedge.
Its name comes from “Ishvara”, one of the names of the Hindu god Shiva, and in southern India its flowers are offered at temples.
India: a temple-offering flower.
Sanchezia
Sanchezia speciosa
- Energy & joy
- Creativity
Put it in: Garden in partial shade, Large pot.
It's native to Ecuador and Peru; its leaves look hand-painted with yellow stripes.
South America: leaves that look like art.
Silver calathea
Calathea
- Calm
- Rest
Put it in: Bedroom, Living room with soft light.
Like its cousins, it moves its leaves between day and night, as if it were breathing with you.
Japan: a corner of calm.
Snake plant
Dracaena trifasciata
- Protection
- Rest
Put it in: By the door, Bedroom, Office.
In Brazil it's called “Saint George's sword” and placed at the entrance to ward off the evil eye. In Feng Shui it's also a protective plant.
Brazil and Feng Shui: the guardian of the door.
Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum
- New beginnings
- Freshness
Put it in: Hanging pot, Bathroom, Kitchen.
In Spanish it's nicknamed “mala madre” (bad mother) because it “kicks out” its babies on long, dangling stems. It comes from South Africa, and Vastu recommends it in the north or east.
Vastu: good for the north and east.
Striped calathea
Goeppertia zebrina
- Calm
- Rest
Put it in: Bedroom, Bright bathroom.
It belongs to the “prayer plant” family: it moves its leaves between day and night. Its name comes from the Greek “kalathos”, basket, because calathea leaves were used to weave baskets.
Japan: perfect for a zen corner.
Stromanthe Triostar
Stromanthe thalia
- Creativity
- Love
Put it in: Bright living room, Study.
It's Brazilian, from the “prayer plant” family, and its green, cream and pink leaves get more colorful in good light.
Brazil: carnival colors on a leaf.
Torch cactus
Echinopsis
- Protection
- Energy & joy
Put it in: Sunny outdoors, Dry garden.
It's South American and belongs to a genus famous for its huge trumpet-shaped flowers, which sometimes last just one night.
Feng Shui and Vastu: spines are better outside.
Tricolor oyster plant
Tradescantia spathacea
- New beginnings
- Energy & joy
Put it in: Garden border, Pot on the terrace.
In English it's called “Moses-in-the-cradle” because its little white flowers grow inside boat-shaped leaves. It's native to Mexico and Central America.
Central America: a classic patio plant.
Turtle vine
Soleirolia soleirolii
- Calm
- Freshness
Put it in: Bright bathroom, Terrarium, Table.
It's native to Mexico, Central and South America, and forms a carpet of tiny leaves that spills over the edge of the pot like a waterfall.
Latin American patios: the trailing plant for clay pots.
Variegated Cuban oregano
Coleus amboinicus
- Freshness
- Welcome
Put it in: Kitchen window, Patio.
Although we call it oregano, it comes from Africa and became a staple of Caribbean cooking: its leaves release their scent as soon as you touch them.
Caribbean and Mediterranean: the kitchen herb.
Young cypress
Cupressus
- Protection
- New beginnings
Put it in: Entrance (in pairs), Garden, Terrace.
In Persian and Mediterranean gardens, the cypress symbolizes eternity. In Panama, many people use it as a little Christmas tree.
Persian and Mediterranean gardens.
Zebra bromeliad
Cryptanthus
- Welcome
- Creativity
Put it in: Living room, Coffee table, Terrarium.
It's a cousin of the pineapple and native to Brazil; it's called “earth star” for the shape of its rosette.
Brazil: star of the forest.
ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
- Prosperity
- Protection
Put it in: Southeast corner of the living room, Office, Hallway.
In Chinese it's called “jīn qián shù”, the golden money tree, because its glossy leaves look like coins. It's from East Africa.
Feng Shui: the prosperity plant par excellence.
Frequently asked questions
Which plant brings good luck and money?
Which plant should I put at the entrance of my home?
The most popular are the snake plant (in Brazil, “Saint George’s sword”, for protection), aloe vera with a red ribbon, a Latin American tradition, and the anthurium, a symbol of welcome. Keep the door clear and the plants healthy.
Which plants are good for the bedroom?
Calm plants with soft leaves, like the peace lily, the snake plant or the calathea. Feng Shui recommends not putting spiny plants near the bed.
Where does the money plant go according to Feng Shui?
In the southeast corner of the living room or office, which Feng Shui associates with prosperity. India’s Vastu also recommends the southeast for “money” plants.
Is it bad to have cacti inside the house?
Feng Shui and Vastu suggest keeping cacti and spiny plants outside or on the windowsill, where their spines “protect” the home. Indoors they prefer soft, rounded leaves.
Do lucky plants really work?
They’re cultural traditions and beliefs, not promises. What is certain: a healthy, well-placed plant makes your space feel more alive and pleasant.
Looking for your lucky plant?
We’ll help you choose it based on your space, the light it gets and the vibe you want. We send you a real photo before delivery.