Good vibes start with your greenery.
Houseplants are more than just mere accessories. Plants are beacons of vibrant, flowing, living energy, symbolizing many sentiments, from “Get Well” to “Congrats on the new gig.” Like colors, crystals, and trinkets, it’s always fun to explore the meanings behind your greenery to add an extra layer of intention to your windowsill, flower beds, or next potted gift. If you're looking to usher in more good vibes (and who isnt?), adding lucky plants to your home might be just what you need.
Feng shui principles have long held that plants bring good energy to your home. Simply appreciating their leaves and branches instantly adds vivaciousness to any room. That said, wealth, peace, and health aren’t the only things that good luck plants provide. Research shows plants can boost mood, improve sleep, and help us feel happier, even less isolated. When you factor those benefits into the equation, it'd be silly not to snag yourself a plant or two, right?
Before you rush to the nearest nursery, you’ll need to account for the conditions plants need to thrive—a dying plant won’t bring you an abundance of much. As a general rule of thumb, most indoor houseplants (especially tropicals) prefer to bask in moderate to bright light, easily achieved by placing them near a window that gets lots of soft morning light. If your rooms are dark or windowless, you can always opt for a grow light. Watering is also important, but hitting the proper cadence is essential. In fact, more plants die from overwatering than from under. To avoid drowning your plant, poke your finger in the soil before giving it a drink; if soil clings to your skin, it’s probably moist enough. Wait a few more days, then recheck.
Ahead, you'll find 20 good luck plants that thrive in a variety of indoor settings. From glam orchids to classic lucky bamboo (of course!), these greens will bring good juju to your home for years to come.
Lucky Bamboo
Despite its name, this good-luck plant isn't true bamboo. It's a type of dracaena that has the lower foliage stripped off to resemble bamboo. It's incredibly easy to grow and care for, making it ideal for plant parents of all experience levels. Lucky bamboo does best in medium-to-bright indirect light but will tolerate low light. If yours is growing in a container of water, change the water weekly—if planted in soil, keep it slightly moist.
Orchids
Beloved for their durable nature and eye-catching blooms, orchids have a glamorous air about them—and a reputation for symbolizing fertility and abundance. Though they may look high-maintenance, orchids are relatively easy to care for; place them in a spot that gets at least six hours of indirect light daily and "water" them by placing three ice cubes on the soil once a week.
Oxalis
Oxalis, or lucky shamrock plant, is associated with St. Patrick's Day and is said to bring good luck to the home. With three-lobed green or burgundy foliage and delicate flowers that bloom for weeks, these seasonal favorites are long-lived and low maintenance. Give this good-luck plant bright, indirect light and allow it to dry out slightly between waterings.
Bromeliad
Vibrant, funky, and known to bring good fortune, bromeliad plants are the answer to any plant lover looking to add a little color to their collection. A close cousin to the pineapple, these bright tropicals come in a variety of beautiful shades (think bright pink, zesty yellow, or fiery red). Place the plant somewhere with plenty of light and water it every one to two weeks in warmer months, reducing your cadence to every two to three weeks in colder months.
Pilea
The glossy, coin-shaped leaves of a pilea plant (aka Chinese money plant) are purported to bring wealth and luck. It's also super easy to propagate and share with loved ones, which lends a sense of prosperity to the giver. Give it bright, indirect light, and water when the soil feels mostly dry.
Snake Plant
Though it may be known by rather unpleasant names (it also goes by mother-in-law's tongue), snake plants make a beautiful addition to any home, thanks to their graphic variegated leaves and vibrant green hue. These good-luck plants are known to invite fortune, good health, and creativity into the home and are incredibly easy to care for, thriving in a variety of light settings and only requiring watering every two to three weeks.
Money Tree
Also called Pachira aquatica, the money tree is said to bring its owner wealth and is often given to new businesses to wish them good fortune. Some even consider money trees to be the luckiest houseplants of all. This sturdy plant prefers medium to bright indirect light, but will tolerate low light levels just fine too. Rotate the pot once a week so that the branches will grow evenly, and water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.
Peace Lily
It's no surprise that this elegant plant is purported to bring harmony to your home. Peace lilies have glossy green leaves and pretty spoon-shaped flowers. Give this good-luck plant bright, indirect light, and keep the soil lightly moist. Pet parents: It's best to avoid this variety, since it's especially toxic to cats.
Chrysanthemum
A symbol of longevity and good luck, chrysanthemums are a beautiful plant to enjoy indoors and out. Also called mums, these flowers are perennial if you plant them in the spring in your garden and can be enjoyed as gifts any time of year (they'll bloom indoors for several weeks). Just water them when the soil feels slightly dry on top.
Jade Plant
Jade plants are said to bring wealth and longevity and can live for decades with the proper care. Resembling tiny trees with plump, glossy leaves, they prefer bright, indirect light over direct rays, which can scorch their delicate leaves. Because they're succulents, you should only water this good-luck plant when the top inch or two of soil feels dry—overwatering will cause them to turn to mush.
Peony
The gorgeous peony is a symbol of wealth and rank. This stunning perennial can live for decades when planted in the proper USDA growing zone. Choose a spot that receives direct sunlight for six or more hours a day and water the plant weekly to get it established; after that, peonies are drought tolerant.
Citrus Tree
A symbol of prosperity since ancient times, citrus trees—Meyer lemon, kumquat, take your pick—make a wonderful indoor or patio plant. Give these trees direct sun for six or more hours per day, or use a grow light—without ample light, they're unlikely to produce fruit. Water when the soil feels slightly dry on top.
Lavender
Lavender flowers are said to bring serenity, and studies show that they actually live up to the hype, thanks to powerful phytochemicals that can be mood boosters for both people and pets. Lavender can be fussy to grow indoors, but it's a cinch to grow outdoors. Just give it full sun and make sure it's in a well-draining spot (or a container, if you have clay soil). Water only when very dry.
Hoya Heart
With a single, heart-shaped leaf, this adorable good-luck plant is a wonderful gift to show affection or care—in fact, hoya is known to represent true love and harmony. Give it bright, indirect light, and water when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch, usually every week or two.
Rosemary
The scent of a rosemary plant can calm the body and energize the mind, and it was once thought to bring good luck to travelers. This culinary herb is a tender perennial, which means it can be planted in the garden in warm climates. Give it full sun, and water it only sparingly; this native Mediterranean plant prefers to be on the dry side. Indoors, it needs a sunny windowsill with direct sunlight or a grow light.
Zebra Plant
The bold leaves of the zebra plant bring good fortune, wealth, and steady progress. Feng Shui traditions believed that the upward-growing leaves and resilient roots acted as a protective charm to ward off negative energy and balance indoor spaces.
Coppertone Snake Plant
Like its cousin, the common snake plant, the copper-toned variety is also known to represent resilience, protection, and good fortune, just with a shinier hue.
Philodendron
Feng Shui philosophy believes the heart-shaped leaves of the philodendron bring love, balance, and mental calmness. The plant is also a known air purifier that loves low-light environments. It must be the ambiance.
The Olive Tree
There’s a reason the olive tree is recognized as a universal symbol of peace. In Greek mythology, the Goddess Athena gifted the tree to the people of Athens, ultimately helping them win the city. Today, the plant is rumored to bring that same sense of peace, safety, and balance into homes.
Eucalyptus
Known for its fresh scent and medicinal properties, eucalyptus is thought to bring spa-like serenity and elevated wellness into your home.
The 17 Best Air-Purifying Plants for Indoors
How to Keep Your Peace Lily Blooming for Years
These 26 Houseplants Flourish in Low-Light Rooms
The 40 Prettiest Flowers in the World
