Feng Shui Tip: Use Plants to Energize Your Home

In feng shui, plants are one of the best tools to energize your home. Besides adding color and life, placing plants in the corners uplifts the energy and keeps it circulating around the room. They are also useful in dispersing negative or "bad" energy that may come from sources such as computers or TVs.

Where to place plants for good feng shui

• Inside corners of a room. Corners collect stagnant energy. That energy needs to be re-circulated around the room in order for the occupants to benefit from its effects.

• Protruding corners of a room. If you have a corner that is pointing into a room such as at the transition between a foyer and living room, there is sharp (negative) energy being created which is detrimental. Place a plant in front of protruding corners to soften the energy there.

• In the bathroom. Lucky bamboo works wonderfully in the bathroom. Place a pot in a position higher than the toilet tank, but not directly on the tank, to counteract the negative effects present in the bathroom.

• On your desk. Having a small plant on or next to your desk revitalizes the area and increases the positive energy necessary for your work.

What kinds of plants to use for good feng shui

Although plants are wonderful feng shui elements, not all plants are good for uplifting the energy or creating harmony in the environment. Most importantly the plant must be lush, green, and healthy. Choose plants that you love and can care for easily. Tall plants and plants that have rounded foliage are usually excellent choices. Some good house plants to use in the home are:

• Lucky Bamboo
• Rubber Plants
• Dieffenbachia
• Pothos
• Peace Lily
• Jade Plant
• Philodendrons
• Money Plant
• African Violets
• Chrysanthemums
• Begonias
• Orchids
• Ficus Plants

Some plants are "bad feng shui"

Not all plants are good for the feng shui of your home. Plants that have pointy leaves or prickly parts create sharp or negative energy should be avoided. Some plants to avoid are:

• Cactus-all types!
• Snake plants
• Bromeliads
• Fan Palms

What about Bonsai plants?

Although bonsai plants are artistically beautiful, they can be a detriment to your environment because of the stunted growth they represent. Plants or trees that would be large if found in nature that have been manipulated to be stunted are generally regarded as bad feng shui. However, if you absolutely love a particular bonsai plant, you should place it where it will cause the least harm. In compass-based feng shui, that would be in the North sector.