As plantas are great for energizing the house and bringing well-being and good vibes, according to Feng Shui (Photo: Unsplash / Brina Blum / CreativeCommons)
Introducing the Guide to the Best Plants to Have at Home According to Feng Shui
In addition to making our spaces more beautiful, fresh, and cozy, plants have the power to transmute energy and enhance positive vibrations at home. This is according to Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese technique that organizes energetic forces to harmonize individuals with their environment.
"Plants are among the main tools of Feng Shui for this process," explains architect João Sebastião from Harqmonia. He explains that plants feed on earth and sun (light), two vital elements for bringing life and stability. For this reason, they are highly effective in the energetic transmutation that generates life and growth in the spaces.
"They represent a part that can help in all areas of life: love, work, health, and money, for example," adds spiritualist Juliana Viveiros from the iQuilíbrio platform. Sebastião clarifies that it is possible to use plants in all areas of a room's bagua or even outside, such as in an external garden or at the entrance to a space.
In Feng Shui, basil attracts money and prosperity (Photo: Dominika Roseclay / Pexels)
The Best Plants
According to Juliana, the following plants can contribute to energizing the house based on specific needs. Check them out:
- Hydrangea: prosperity and harmony.
- Azalea: good relationships and love.
- Peace Lily: love, joy, spontaneity, prosperity, socialization, and peace.
- Jasmine: peace, calmness, harmony, love, and purification.
- Rue: to ward off envy and repel any negative energy.
- Boxwood: love, joy, attracting positive energy, and fostering good relationships.
- Rosemary: health, energy, and healing.
- Zamioculcas: peace and prosperity.
- Lavender: tranquility, protection, and cleansing.
- Oregano: prosperity, money, and well-being.
- Pansy: luck, protection, well-being, and joy.
- Orchid: beauty, communication, and good coexistence.
- Happiness Tree: improvements in love relationships, positive energy, and harmony.
- Basil: to attract money and prosperity.
- Violet: balance and energy.
Yellow flower pots, which represent money, are recommended on the dining table (Photo: Iara Venanzi / Editora Globo)
Different Areas of the House
According to Feng Shui, the house is divided into various energetic areas, encompassing the emotions of the people living in the space. "Therefore, we can determine which plants to place by also assessing the different parts of the house and its occupants," points out Viveiros.
- Kitchen: It is recommended to place a plant between the stove and sink, or even near the refrigerator. This area generally needs balance and peace.
- Living Room: Opt for lighter colors and flowers that bring joy and prosperity, such as jasmine.
- Dining Table: Symbolizes abundance and prosperity. Therefore, it is recommended to place yellow flower pots (representing money) on it.
- Bathroom: A great place to put flowers, as they filter out negative energy.
Including plants under the stairs brings good energy to the area (Photo: Fabio Severo / Divulgação)
Neglected Spaces
João explains that using plants is ideal for transmuting energy in spaces considered "lifeless" or stagnant, where there is an excess of sha energy (dead and stagnant energy). Plants, on the other hand, produce chi energy, which is associated with all living things.
Therefore, plants bring life to spaces such as under stairs, which often remain empty. "This area represents a sector of life when applying the bagua. If left empty, it remains without energy," says João.
Ideally, according to him, create a garden to place plants that can transmute this energy. The snake plant, with its wide branches and thick leaves, resistant and intensely green, is excellent for these spaces and thrives in low-light environments, just like the ficus.
Sword-of-St. George is recommended for the success area in the bagua (Photo: Divulgação)
Types, Shapes, and Colors
In Feng Shui, plants represent the wood element, which corresponds to the family and health area in the bagua. "We use plants in this area, as well as in other spaces. We can interpret each plant for every area of the bagua based on its type, shape, color, and whether or not it has flowers," explains the architect.
For example, the snake plant is a pointed plant with spear-like leaves that grow upwards like flames, visually representing the fire element. It is, therefore, favorable to use it in the success area of the bagua (the fire sector).
Plants with flowers can be interpreted based on their colors in relation to the bagua. "Plants with white flowers, for example, are favorable for the children's area, which corresponds to the metal element, whose harmonizing color is white," João affirms. If you want to use flowers in the relationships and love area, it is highly favorable because the floral aroma evokes more romance and facilitates communication between couples, groups, and society.
According to Feng Shui, plants that grow downwards, like ferns, should be avoided indoors (Photo: Divulgação / Cristiano Bauce)
Disclaimers
Following a more mystical approach to Feng Shui, João suggests avoiding plants that grow downwards and droop, such as pothos or ferns, as they are believed to take away prosperity. "Prefer plants that grow upwards because they elevate energies," he says.
In this line of thought, it is also advisable to avoid protective plants, those with thorns, such as cacti, indoors. "They can be placed in entry halls, outside the house, or on balconies, but never inside the house, especially near sofas and beds, as they have an aggressive function of protection against intruders from outside," João affirms.
A combination of vivacious plants, such as spleenwort, monstera, lace-leaf, fiddle-leaf fig, snake plant: lively plants that bring health energy into the house (Photo: Edu Castello / Editora Globo)
Care
According to João, in Feng Shui, it is preferred to use plants with vibrant tones, such as bright green or those resembling young plants. "This is the color of health, to bring in that energy," he says. Therefore, it is always important to take good care of them, prune them, and ensure they are not dusty. The more beautiful and vibrant they are, the more easily they can transmute energy and produce chi energy.
According to the technique, Feng Shui reflects who we are. After all, it is us who choose, decorate, or clutter our spaces in our own way. For this reason, if we have a beautiful and well-organized environment, it will reflect organization, beauty, and life. If we show love, attention, and care to a plant, it will return that energy. If we neglect it, it will wither, suffer, and return that same energy. "It's always a two-way street," concludes João.
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