Does the Energy in Your Home Feel Off? These Houseplants Might to Blame
These unlucky houseplants could be bringing negativity
If you're keen to transform your home into an oasis of greenery, you can't go wrong with a collection of houseplants. Or can you? According to the principles of Feng Shui and traditional folklore around the world, not all plants are created equal. And some might be unlucky.
While it’s true that the majority of indoor and outdoor plants are believed to symbolize vitality and growth, others are thought to block positive energy, attract negativity and generally bring bad lack into our homes.
Literally translated as ‘wind-water’, Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese practice of arranging living spaces and the objects within them to achieve balance and harmony with the natural world. It aims to maximise positive energy flow (or ‘chi’) to improve health, wellbeing and prosperity by balancing yin and yang energies. On the whole, these principles look kindly on the majority of our indoor plants, however, here are five that are thought to bring bad luck into the home; you might want to reconsider their placement.
1. Cacti
The spiny forms of cacti are considered bad luck in feng shui.
The best feng shui plants for your home are generally considered to be those with rounded or heart-shaped foliage, which are said to increase flow, bringing harmony and growth. The opposite is believed to apply for spiky plants.
‘Cacti are considered unlucky in feng shui because they’re prickly, and sharp shapes are like cutting energy, which can lead to conflict and bad energy,’ says Evelina Juzenaite, interior designer at Planner 5D.
To avoid bringing tension and bad luck into the home, instead of getting rid of your favorite cacti plants altogether, keep them away from areas where family and friends socialise or relax.
Move them to a spot by the front door, into a warm conservatory or near a window (a south-facing windowsill is ideal for these heat-loving, drought-tolerant plants). According to the principles of feng shui, these are areas that are meant to guard rather than comfort, where those sharp, spiky leaves are more suited.
A final note about cacti: correct watering is key. Ideally use tepid rainwater, and wait until the surface of the compost is completely dry before watering, then let your pots drain completely and never allow cacti plants to stand in water.
Water carefully, taking care not to splash your plants, or they could end up succumbing to rot. A precision watering can like this one from Amazon is a great idea.
2. Bonsai Trees
The art of bonsai is beautiful but perhaps best reserved for outdoors.
Bonsai is the ancient Japanese art of cultivating miniature trees in containers, Learning how to grow bonsai involves super-precise ingenious pruning, root-restriction and wiring.
The aim is to create a miniature representation of a full-sized tree. Its origins date from more than 1,000 years ago, and in China it’s known as ‘penjing’.
While admired for their beauty and craftsmanship, that miniature constrained form may not be a good idea for the home, however, attracting bad luck in personal or financial matters, says Evelina: 'In some interpretations of feng shui, bonsai trees symbolize restricted growth,’ she says, and recommends opting for outdoor bonsai if you’re a fan.
Some of the most popular bonsai subjects are deciduous trees such as Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), which can lend themselves to particularly beautiful shapes, and all kinds of evergreen trees. Indoors, Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), silver jade plant (Crassula arborescens), olive (Olea europaea) and weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) are often used.
3. Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
Weeping fig is a lovely plant, but perhaps unlucky for some.
This elegant, slow-growing houseplant has arching stems of small, glossy leaves, sometimes with attractive variegation. Indoors, in a spot with plenty of indirect light and infrequent watering, it can reach up to 6ft 6in (2m).
Nevertheless, a weeping fig is sometimes seen in a negative light because of its drooping leaves and sensitivity to environmental changes, which can cause leaves to turn brown and shed.
‘Withered or dead plants are considered unlucky in feng shui,’ says Evelina. ‘They symbolize stagnant energy, lack of growth and negativity.’
In Feng Shui, upright growth symbolizes expansion and vitality while downwards or drooping growth can represent low mood, stagnation and emotional decline. Many feng shui experts don’t consider the weeping fig inherently unlucky, however, believing placement to be of more concern than the plant itself. So keep it near the front door to prevent potential difficulties with energy, wealth or health.
Also, across many other cultures, weeping trees are associated with mourning, grief, loss and emotional heaviness, thus bringing sadness to your home.
Other kinds of Ficus, including the rubber tree (Ficus elastica, you can buy one here at The Sill) and Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata, try this one from The Sill) are considered some of the most auspicious plants in feng shui, promoting growth, positive energy and new beginnings.
4. Toxic Plants
The peace lily contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause pain and swelling of the mouth.
There’s no denying the logic here. Plants that can harm either humans or pets, either by touch or by eating parts of their leaves or flowers, are often seen as bad omens.
Some of the most common indoor toxic plants, which can cause irritation and swelling in humans include peace lily (Spathiphyllum), Devil’s ivy (Philodendron), sago palm (Cycas revoluta) and the ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia).
Pets can be affected by vomiting and diarrhea if they ingest aloe vera or cheese plants (Monstera deliciosa).
It’s worth noting however that although cats do like to chew on grass to aid digestion, most are extremely wary of eating anything more unusual, so cases of plant poisoning are in fact very rare.
Growing a pot of cat grass, like this one from Amazon at home will help to direct your cat to the most suitable edible greenery or take a look at some of the best pet-safe indoor plants.
5. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Spiky mother-in-law's tongue could be considered an inauspicious plant.
Because of its sharp, upright leaves and, of course, that cheeky nickname, this low-maintenance succulent houseplant is sometimes associated with harsh words or conflict.
The snake plant is in fact a very easygoing plant companion, and often listed as one of the easiest indoor plants to grow.
Nevertheless, in some interpretations of feng shui, those spiky leaves are believed to attract ‘sha chi’, or killing/attacking energy, in which case it’s best to consider where to place your snake plant for positive feng shui, keeping it away from bedrooms, where it could disturb your sleep.
Instead, position it near doors or in corners, where those same properties could fulfil guarding functions.
Whatever indoor plants you're growing at home, it's important to keep them healthy, says Shane Pliska, CEO of Planterra Interior Landscaping: ‘In feng shui a dead plant is conceptually similar to a broken window, as it is a visual display of decay and stagnation and can disrupt the flow of positive energy.’
While traditional beliefs such as feng shui naturally highlight the symbolism behind certain houseplants, it's ultimately all about the way our indoor greenery makes us feel that's important. And here the ancient beliefs of feng shui and modern-day thinking align.
‘The only plant that is truly bad luck is a dead, dying or yellowing plant,' says Shane . 'Not only is it unattractive, but it’s also a negative reflection on what is going on inside that space. What is more important than avoiding bad luck is surrounding yourself with fresh, green and vibrant foliage.’
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