The arrival of the new year brings a tide of wishes, wants, resolutions and promises, could plants help achieve our goals? There are some cultures which believe that certain plants bring luck and attract good fortune and happiness. These plants supposedly radiate positive energy wherever they grow. Whether there is any truth to this or not, the benefits of having indoor plants in your living spaces are numerous, including improved air quality and increased aesthetic value. Listed below are some plants and their supposed lucky qualities:
Lucky bamboo, Dracaena braunii, is actually not bamboo at all but a member of the lily family. This plant is said to attract health, wealth, love and happiness wherever it grows. Stalks of this “bamboo” is grown and tied into bundles of varying numbers, generally more stalks means a more powerful plant. Three stalks represent happiness, longevity and wealth; five stalks are for wealth alone; six are for luck; and seven are for good health.
The money tree, Pachira aquatica, is a famed Feng Shui plant said to bring luck and good fortune. A money tree is a traditional gift for Chinese New Year. Similar to lucky bamboo the plant will be braided together using 3 or five stalks, but not 4 because that is bad luck.
Jade, Crassula ovata, is a succulent with rounded leaves said to bring good fortune and success to those who grow them. In Asia the jade plant is thought to promote financial energies, symbolizing growth, renewal, wealth and prosperity.
Roses, Rosa spp., attract love, healing and luck and protection. Different colors are said to have differing values and effects; white roses are purifying and healing, red roses attract passionate, deep love, peach roses bring peace, spirituality and friendship, and pink roses attract romantic love, sweetness and fun.
Lavender, Lavandula spp., is well-known for its calming, soothing qualities. The scent is said to bring a sense of inner peace, relieve sleeplessness and alleviate headaches. Allegedly, lavender also helps one attract a man and see ghosts!
Orchids, family Orchidaceae, are believed to attract love and deepen friendships. Ancient Greeks associated plants in this family with virility and fertility.
Basil, Ocimum spp., is considered holy in Indian culture. When growing on your front porch it is said to repel evil and attract, love, passion, beauty, wealth and luck to your home. It is also credited with helping people achieve financial success with little effort.
Sage, Salvia spp., is a well-known herb which brings protection and represents immortality, wisdom and longevity. It has been associated with the granting of wishes. Sage is often used in religious and cultural ceremonies and rites.
These are just a few of the many, many plants thought to have significance and affect the love, wealth, health, happiness and fortunes of those who grow them. There are many other benefits to having these and other plants in and around your home. If you are looking for a meaningful, long-lasting holiday or New Year’s gift for friends or family, consider the gift of beautiful plants, it will be the gift that keeps giving.