It's a new year, a time to reflect on the past and put forth hopes for the future. While your hard work and exceptional planning will get you where you need to go, it doesn't hurt to have a few good fortune plants around, just for that extra boost.
Throughout history, plants have been used as good luck charms that bring peace, fortune, and happiness into a home. Even if they don't bring actual money, peace, or luck, plants provide health and joy with their vibrant greenery, flourishing energy, and air cleansing properties.
The health of your plants matter. A happy, thriving plant will bring good energy; a withering, sad plant will bring negative energy. To promote prosperity and health in your house, take good care of your plants.
Money Plant (Pachina aquatica or P.glabra)
The braided trunk and deep-green long-fingered leaves of this plant are captivating and sure to bring joy to any space it inhabits. A money tree is actually five trees braided together while young. In Feng Shui practices, the money tree is said to bring peace and wealth.
The legend of the money plant:
A poor Taiwanese farmer prayed for good fortune. One day, while out in his fields, he discovered a beautiful Pachira plant. Astounded by its beauty, he realized he could grow the trees and sell them to escape poverty. Soon, he was a wealthy man, and he named the Pachira plant the “money tree.”
A money tree usually has five leaves on each stem. These are said to represent the five fundamental elements of Feng Shui: fire, earth, metal, wood, and water. A tree with seven or more leaves on each stem is rare and especially good luck.
Besides the luck and prosperity that a money tree brings, it is also amazing because it is extremely easy to tend. Place it in a location with lots of bright, indirect light away from heater vents. Only water it when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Then, water it thoroughly and let it drain completely through the holes in the pot, emptying any excess water, so the roots don't get soggy.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The snake plant is a striking plant with NASA-backed research demonstrating its legitimate ability to cleanse the air of toxins. It will bring real health to the home. These architecturally-magnificent plants stand upright and proud, a reminder to us all to face each day with courage and fortitude. The sword-shaped leaves average two to four feet tall and come in an array of glamorous displays, depending on variety. Some plants feature deep-green leaves with creamy yellow edges while others are variegated or strikingly striped.
A native to West Africa, the snake plant is used in traditional cultures for spiritual protection and is associated with Ogun, an Orisha spirit of war. A snake plant has many uses:
• The leaves are fibrous and are used to make ropes and weave baskets.
• Snake plant sap is antiseptic.
• It purifies the air of toxins, including formaldehyde and xylene.
Caring for a snake plant is quite easy. It needs lots of bright, indirect light and infrequent, thorough watering. When the top two to three inches of soil is dry, water it until it drains out the bottom, making sure to empty off any excess water, so the roots don't rot.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.)
The name says it all with this plant, almost. It brings peace; however, it is not really a lily. The peace lily gets its' name from the tall white bract, graceful and poised, which resembles a white flag, an internationally recognized signal of truce. A native to the rainforests of Columbia and Venezuela, the peace lily is now a common houseplant worldwide.
The erect dark green spoon-shaped leaves of the peace lily are an elegant contrast to the bright white bracts. The bracts, which are often referred to as the flowers, stand majestically over the green foliage, demanding your attention. The actual flowers are on the spike, or ear, of the bract.
Besides looking like royalty, this plant acts like it too. A peace lily lets you know what it needs. When it needs water, the stems droop sullenly. An hour or so after watering, it perks up again, and all is well. Place the peace lily in a location where it gets lots of indirect light – never direct light the leaves will burn. It needs a winter rest to flower. Place it in a dark, cool 55-60F area for six to eight weeks until the blooms start, then bring it back out.
NASA also has the peace lily listed as an excellent air-purifying plant. Peace, majesty, and clean air, that's an excellent start to the new year!
What plants do you keep for health, luck, love, and prosperity? How do plants bring joy to your life and home?
Blog by Jenny Dunklee, Senior Plant Expert, BloomCatch