Looking for indoor plants that bring good vibes? Discover our top picks for lucky plants for indoor spaces. These beginner-friendly plants are easy to care for and thought to bring prosperity and good fortune into your home. Learn which ones are best for beginners and how to keep them thriving!
Ever feel like your home could use a little extra sparkle, a touch of good luck, or a boost of positive energy? Many of us turn to plants to brighten our living spaces, purify the air, and add a touch of nature. But did you know some plants are traditionally believed to bring good fortune? Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just starting your green journey, welcoming these “lucky” plants indoors can be a delightful way to enhance your home and your mood.
It’s not always easy to know where to start, but don’t worry! This guide will walk you through some of the most beloved lucky plants for indoor enjoyment, making it simple for anyone to bring a bit of luck and lushness into their home.
Why Choose Lucky Plants for Your Home?
The idea of “lucky plants” isn’t a new one; it spans across many cultures and traditions. These plants are often associated with wealth, happiness, prosperity, and protection. Beyond the folklore, they also offer tangible benefits like improved air quality and a sense of calm and well-being. Bringing them into your home is a simple, beautiful way to create a more positive environment. They are readily available, often forgiving of beginner mistakes, and can transform a dull corner into a vibrant focal point.
Adding lucky plants to your indoor space is more than just a trend; it’s about creating an environment that supports your well-being and fosters a sense of optimism. These plants are often chosen for their symbolic meanings, which can range from attracting wealth to promoting harmony and good health. Regardless of your beliefs, incorporating greenery into your home, especially plants with positive associations, can significantly uplift your spirits and enhance your living space.
Essential Lucky Plants for Indoor Success
Ready to invite some good fortune and greenery into your life? Here are some of the most popular and easiest-to-care-for lucky plants that are perfect for beginners. We’ll cover what makes them lucky and how to keep them happy and healthy in your home.
1. The Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
The Money Tree is perhaps the most well-known lucky plant for indoor spaces. Its braided trunk is said to symbolize the intertwining of luck, happiness, and prosperity. In Feng Shui, it’s believed to bring financial luck and success.
Why it’s lucky: Believed to attract wealth and good fortune. The five leaves on a stem represent the five fundamental Feng Shui elements: wood, earth, metal, water, and fire, promoting balance.
Beginner Tips:
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves.
- Watering: Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. Don’t let it sit in water, as this can lead to root rot.
- Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix.
- Humidity: Appreciates higher humidity, so misting occasionally or placing it near a humidifier can be beneficial.
For more in-depth care, check out the Royal Horticultural Society’s page on Pachira aquatica for detailed cultivation advice.
2. The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
With its elegant white blooms and lush, dark green leaves, the Peace Lily is a beautiful addition to any home. It’s considered a symbol of purity, peace, and tranquility, and is thought to bring harmony and good luck to its surroundings.
Why it’s lucky: Believed to bring peace, purify negative energy, and attract good fortune. Its ability to thrive indoors also makes it a resilient symbol of endurance.
Beginner Tips:
- Light: Tolerant of low light conditions but thrives in medium, indirect light.
- Watering: Water when the leaves start to droop slightly, indicating it’s thirsty. They are quite dramatic when they need water, making it easy to know when.
- Soil: A standard, peat-based potting mix works well.
- Toxicity: Keep away from pets and children as it can be toxic if ingested.
3. The Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Known for its thick, succulent leaves and tree-like appearance, the Jade Plant is a popular choice for its supposed ability to attract wealth and prosperity. It’s often given as a housewarming gift for this very reason.
Why it’s lucky: Traditionally associated with good luck and financial gain. Its ovate leaf shape is also thought to resemble coins.
Beginner Tips:
- Light: Needs plenty of bright light, ideally several hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Watering: Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dry. As a succulent, it’s prone to overwatering.
- Soil: Use a well-draining succulent or cactus mix.
- Temperature: Prefers average room temperatures and can be sensitive to cold.
4. The Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Despite its name, Lucky Bamboo is not a true bamboo but a type of Dracaena. It’s very popular in Feng Shui, where its structure and arrangement are believed to influence the flow of positive energy (Qi) and bring good luck.
Why it’s lucky: Its stalks represent growth and resilience. The number of stalks also holds significance: three stalks for happiness, wealth, and longevity; five for wealth; seven for good health; and ten for perfect wishes.
Beginner Tips:
- Placement: Can be grown in soil or, more commonly, in water. If in water, ensure it’s clean and free of chlorine.
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight.
- Water/Solution: If in water, change the water every 1-2 weeks. If in soil, keep the soil lightly moist.
- Minimal Care: These are incredibly low-maintenance plants, making them ideal for busy individuals.
5. The Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
The Golden Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a fast-growing vine that’s incredibly hardy and forgiving, making it a favorite for beginners. In many Asian cultures, Pothos plants are believed to bring good fortune and are often hung in doorways or placed in wealth corners.
Why it’s lucky: Said to bring good luck, wealth, or prosperity. Its resilient nature is seen as a symbol of enduring good fortune.
Beginner Tips:
- Light: Tolerates a wide range of light conditions, from low light to bright indirect light. Variegation might be less pronounced in very low light.
- Watering: Water when the top half of the soil feels dry. It can tolerate some drought.
- Soil: Any well-draining potting mix will do.
- Vining: Can be allowed to trail from shelves or be trained to climb.
6. The Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Also known as the Butterfly Palm or Golden Feather Palm, the Areca Palm is a popular choice for its lush, feathery fronds and its ability to purify the air. It’s believed to bring good fortune, prosperity, and positive energy into the home.
Why it’s lucky: Associated with wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. Its vibrant green color is also considered auspicious.
Beginner Tips:
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Can tolerate some direct morning sun but avoid harsh afternoon rays.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Humidity: Loves humidity. Mist regularly or place in a kitchen or bathroom if possible.
- Leaf Browning: Brown tips can indicate dry air, inconsistent watering, or fluoride in tap water.
7. The Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
The Rubber Plant, with its large, glossy, leathery leaves, is a striking addition to indoor spaces. It’s revered in some cultures as a symbol of abundance, prosperity, and good luck, often placed in business settings to attract wealth.
Why it’s lucky: Believed to attract wealth and good fortune. Its robust nature is seen as a symbol of strength and stability.
Beginner Tips:
- Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. It can tolerate lower light but will grow slower.
- Watering: Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix.
- Cleaning: Wipe the large leaves with a damp cloth occasionally to keep them dust-free and shiny.
Caring for Your Lucky Plants: A Beginner’s Guide
Bringing lucky plants into your home is just the first step. Helping them thrive ensures they continue to bring beauty and positive vibes. Here’s a simple breakdown of essential care tips:
Understanding Light Needs
Different plants have different light requirements. Most lucky plants prefer bright, indirect light, meaning they want to be in a well-lit room but away from the direct rays of the sun, which can scorch their leaves. You can often gauge this by observing the light in different spots in your home throughout the day. A spot a few feet from a south-facing window or near an east-facing window is often ideal.
Watering Wisely
Overwatering is one of the most common plant-killing mistakes! The best approach is to check the soil moisture. Stick your finger about an inch or two into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it feels moist, wait a few more days. Always ensure your pots have drainage holes to let excess water escape, preventing root rot.
Soil and Drainage
Most indoor plants, including lucky ones, need well-draining soil. This means the soil allows water to pass through easily. You can buy general-purpose potting mix, or for plants like the Jade Plant, a specific succulent or cactus mix is even better. Good drainage in the pot is equally important – look for pots with holes at the bottom.
Humidity and Temperature
Many of these plants hail from tropical regions and appreciate humidity. If your home is dry, especially in winter, misting your plants with water or placing them near a humidifier can help. Most lucky plants are happy with average room temperatures that are comfortable for us humans.
Fertilizing
During the growing season (spring and summer), you can feed your lucky plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength, usually once a month. They don’t need fertilizer in the fall and winter when their growth slows down. Over-fertilizing can harm your plants.
Table: Quick Comparison of Lucky Plants for Beginners
Choosing the right plant for your space and lifestyle is key. Here’s a quick look at some popular lucky plants to help you decide:
| Plant Name | Luck Symbolism | Light Needs | Watering Frequency | Beginner Friendliness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Money Tree | Wealth, Prosperity | Bright, Indirect | When top 1-2″ dry | Easy |
| Peace Lily | Peace, Harmony | Low to Medium Indirect | When leaves droop | Easy |
| Jade Plant | Wealth, Good Fortune | Bright, Direct (some) | When soil is dry | Easy (watch for overwatering) |
| Lucky Bamboo | Happiness, Wealth, Longevity | Bright, Indirect | Constant moisture (water) or lightly moist (soil) | Very Easy |
| Golden Pothos | Good Luck, Prosperity | Low to Bright Indirect | When top half dry | Very Easy |
| Areca Palm | Good Fortune, Positivity | Bright, Indirect | When top 1″ dry | Medium (needs humidity) |
| Rubber Plant | Abundance, Prosperity | Bright, Indirect | When top 1-2″ dry | Easy |
When and How to Repot Your Lucky Plants
As your lucky plants grow, they’ll eventually outgrow their pots. Repotting gives them fresh soil and more space, promoting healthier growth. The best time to repot is usually in the spring, as plants are entering their active growing season.
Signs Your Plant Needs Repotting:
- Roots are growing out of the drainage holes.
- Water runs straight through the pot without soaking in.
- The plant looks stunted or is not growing despite good care.
- The soil dries out much faster than usual.
How to Repot:
- Choose a New Pot: Select a pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one. Too large a pot can hold too much moisture. Ensure it has drainage holes.
- Prepare the New Pot: Add a layer of fresh, well-draining potting mix to the bottom of the new pot.
- Remove the Plant: Gently tip the current pot on its side and ease the plant out. If it’s stuck, you can run a knife around the edge of the pot.
- Inspect Roots: Loosen any tightly bound roots with your fingers. Trim away any dead or mushy roots.
- Place in New Pot: Position the plant in the new pot so the top of its root ball is about an inch below the rim.
- Fill with Soil: Add more potting mix around the sides, patting it down gently to remove air pockets.
- Water: Water the plant thoroughly after repotting to help settle the soil.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the best intentions, plants can sometimes face challenges. Here are a few common problems and how to solve them.
Yellowing Leaves
- Overwatering: This is the most common cause. The roots are suffocating. Let the soil dry out completely and reduce watering frequency.
- Underwatering: If the leaves are dry and crispy, the plant might not be getting enough water. Check soil dryness and water thoroughly.
- Nutrient Deficiency: Less common but possible. If the plant has been in the same soil for a long time, it might need feeding.
Brown Leaf Tips
- Low Humidity: Many tropical plants get brown tips when the air is too dry. Increase humidity by misting, using a pebble tray, or a humidifier.
- Inconsistent Watering: Letting the soil dry out too much then overwatering can stress the plant.
- Tap Water: Some plants are sensitive to chemicals like fluoride or chlorine in tap water. Try using filtered or rainwater.
Pests
Common indoor plant pests include spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids. Look for them on leaves and stems. You can usually treat mild infestations by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, or by using an insecticidal soap spray. For more resilient pests, consider Neem oil, a natural pesticide. For reliable pest identification and control, the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program offers excellent resources.
FAQ: Your Lucky Plant Questions Answered
What is the easiest lucky plant for a complete beginner?
The Golden Pothos and Lucky Bamboo are incredibly forgiving and easy to care for, making them excellent choices for those new to plant care.
Can I really expect good luck from these plants?
While traditions and symbolism suggest these plants can bring good luck, their primary benefits are aesthetic, air-purifying, and mood-boosting. For many, the act of nurturing a plant and bringing nature indoors contributes to a sense of well-being and
