15 Indoor Plants for Good Luck That Will Bring Wealth, Health, and Love
Fifteen plants are traditionally kept for good luck: money plant, jade, lucky bamboo, peace lily, aloe vera, arrowhead vine, orchid, rose, jasmine, palm, morning glory, cactus, tulsi, citrus and peepal bonsai. The luck is belief, not science, so choose by the light your room actually gets. Money plant and jade are the most forgiving.
Quick facts
| What you need to know | Details |
|---|---|
| Easiest for beginners | Money plant (Epipremnum aureum), jade (Crassula ovata), lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) |
| Best for low-light or AC rooms | Money plant, peace lily, lucky bamboo, parlour palm |
| Need 5-6 hours of direct sun (balcony, not indoors) | Rose, jasmine, citrus, morning glory, tulsi, most cacti |
| Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA) | Aloe vera, money plant, arrowhead vine, peace lily, jade, lucky bamboo; morning glory seeds are toxic if eaten |
| Pet-safer choices | Areca and parlour palm, Phalaenopsis orchid, rose; never keep a sago palm, which is highly toxic |
| Watering rhythm in India | Summer: more often; monsoon: cut back and check drainage; winter: reduce sharply |
| Traditional placement | Feng Shui wealth corner is the south-east; Vastu favours plants in the north and east |
| Air-purifying claim | Limited. Sealed-chamber tests showed pollutant removal; later reviews found houseplants make little measurable difference to room air |
Best indoor plants for good luck at a glance
Feng Shui and Vastu traditions attach meanings to these plants. Treat the symbolism as belief and the care notes as horticulture: a plant that survives is the one that looks lucky. Tap Read more under any plant for full care.
1. Aloe vera
Aloe is believed to absorb negativity and is traditionally placed in the east or north of the home.
Care: bright light with a few hours of sun, gritty succulent mix, water only when the top 5 cm of soil is dry. Toxic to cats and dogs.
2. Arrowhead plant
Its five-lobed mature leaves are said to represent the five elements, which is why Feng Shui links it with balance.
Care: bright indirect light, water when the top 2-3 cm dries out. Sap is irritant and the plant is toxic to pets.
3. Money plant
The round, glossy leaves are read as coins, and folklore says a cutting gifted (or cheekily taken) from a thriving vine grows best.
Care: bright indirect light, tolerates shade; in water change it weekly, in soil water when the top inch is dry. Toxic to pets.
4. Jasmine
Mogra is associated with love, calm and welcome, and its scent is the real reason most homes keep it.
Care: a flowering plant, not a shade houseplant. Give it 4-6 hours of direct sun on a balcony or grille and keep the soil evenly moist in summer.
5. Orchids
Given as a gift, orchids are believed to carry wishes for fertility, refinement and a strong partnership.
Care: bright filtered light, bark-based mix, soak and drain once a week. Keep them out of harsh afternoon sun. Phalaenopsis is listed as non-toxic to pets.
6. Rose
Colour carries the meaning: red for love, yellow for cheer, white for peace.
Care: a sun plant. Keep it on a balcony or terrace with 5-6 hours of direct sun and water deeply in the morning; it will not flower in a dim room.
7. Palms
Palms are associated with calm, abundance and gentle movement of energy in a room.
Care: bright indirect light, water when the top 2-3 cm is dry, mist in dry winter air. Areca and parlour palms are pet-safe; sago palm is not a palm and is highly toxic.
8. Morning glory
Folklore links the flowers with peaceful sleep and a happy new home.
Care: an outdoor climber. Grow it on a balcony grille with 6-8 hours of sun and something to twine around. The seeds are toxic if eaten, so keep them away from children and pets.
9. Lucky bamboo
In Feng Shui the number of stalks carries the wish: three for happiness, five for health, eight for wealth.
Care: bright indirect light only. In water, keep 2-3 cm above the roots and change it every 7-10 days, ideally with filtered or rainwater. Toxic to cats and dogs.
10. Cactus varieties
Cacti are believed to deflect harsh energy, though many Feng Shui practitioners keep spiky plants away from bedrooms and entrances.
Care: the sunniest window or balcony you have, gritty free-draining mix, water sparingly. Shelter from monsoon rain; rot kills more cacti than drought.
11. Basil or tulsi
Holy basil is revered in Hindu households and, in Vastu, is placed in the north, north-east or east of the home.
Care: needs 6 hours of direct sun, so a balcony, courtyard or bright window grille. Water daily in summer, sparingly in winter, and pinch off flower spikes to keep it leafy.
12. Citrus trees
Round golden fruit reads as coins, which is why dwarf lemons, limes and kumquats are popular Feng Shui gifts.
Care: 6 hours of direct sun on a terrace or sunny balcony, free-draining soil, water when the top inch dries. Not a plant for a dim living room.
13. Peace lily
The white spathes are read as calm and harmony, which makes it a standard housewarming plant.
Care: low to medium indirect light, water roughly weekly before the leaves droop. Toxic to cats and dogs, and the sap irritates skin and mouth.
14. Jade plant
Coin-shaped leaves give jade its money symbolism; it is traditionally kept on the east side of a home or shop.
Care: bright light with some direct sun, succulent mix, water only when the soil is dry right through. Every part is poisonous to cats and dogs.
15. Peepal bonsai
Sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, the peepal is associated with long life and wisdom, and its aerial roots make it a classic bonsai subject.
Care: several hours of bright light, ideally a balcony or east window. Water when the top 2-3 cm of the bonsai mix dries, and use a pot with drainage holes.
Care guide for each good-luck plant
1. Aloe vera
Aloe barbadensis miller is kept for its healing gel as much as its reputation for driving away bad luck. Vastu places it in the east or north.
Aloe is a desert succulent and needs real light: a south or west window, or a balcony with three to four hours of sun. It will survive in a dark corner but stretches, pales and eventually rots, so it is not a low-light plant.
Use a gritty succulent mix in a pot with drainage holes, water deeply but only when the top 5 cm is dry (roughly every 10-14 days in summer, monthly in winter), and move it under cover during heavy monsoon rain. The gel is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.
2. Arrowhead plant
The arrowhead vine, Syngonium podophyllum, is also sold as nephthytis or goosefoot. Young leaves are arrow-shaped and glossy; mature ones split into five lobes, which Feng Shui reads as the five elements in balance.
Give it medium to bright indirect light. Direct sun bleaches the leaves, while deep shade makes variegated forms turn plain green. Water when the top 2-3 cm of soil dries out: about every 5-7 days in summer and every 10-14 days in winter.
It is often marketed as an air purifier; treat that claim lightly. All parts contain calcium oxalate and are toxic to cats and dogs.
3. Money plant
The money plant sold across India is Epipremnum aureum. In Feng Shui it goes in the wealth corner, the south-east of a room or home, which is why you see it in so many shops and offices.
It grows in bright indirect light and tolerates surprisingly dim corners and air-conditioned cabins. Harsh direct sun scorches the leaves, so skip the full-sun balcony spot.
In water, change the water weekly and rinse the roots. In soil, water when the top inch is dry, cut back in the monsoon when pots stay damp, and trim leggy vines to keep growth bushy. Toxic to cats and dogs.
4. Jasmine
Jasmine, usually Jasminum sambac (mogra) in Indian homes, is linked with love, affection and welcome. The scent genuinely helps a room feel calmer, which is reason enough to grow it.
It is a flowering shrub, not a shade houseplant. Place it where it gets at least 4-6 hours of direct sun: a balcony, window grille or terrace. Indoors it will live but rarely bloom.
Keep the soil evenly moist in summer without waterlogging, ease off in winter, and prune lightly after each flush of flowers to encourage the next one.
5. Orchids
Orchids are given as wishes for prosperity, refinement and a strong marriage or career. Most orchids sold for homes are Phalaenopsis, which grow on trees in the wild rather than in soil.
They are not difficult, only different. Use a bark or charcoal mix, never garden soil, and keep them in bright filtered light such as an east window or a shaded balcony. Full Indian summer sun will burn the leaves within days.
Water in the morning so the crown dries by night: soak the bark, let it drain completely, and repeat roughly weekly, more often in dry heat and less during the monsoon. Healthy roots are green and firm. Phalaenopsis is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
6. Rose
Roses stand for love, passion and healing, with colour shading the meaning: white for serenity, yellow for joy, red for love.
Be realistic about light. Roses need five to six hours of direct sun, so they belong on a balcony, terrace or sunny window ledge, not in a living-room corner. A north-facing wall will not give enough sun for flowers in most Indian homes.
Water deeply twice a week in summer, preferably in the morning at soil level to keep the leaves dry, and prune in late winter. Watch for aphids and black spot during humid monsoon weeks.
7. Palms
Palms bring an airy, tropical feel and are said in Feng Shui to soften sharp corners and circulate good energy. Areca, parlour and kentia palms are the usual indoor choices; the ponytail palm is actually a succulent, Beaucarnea recurvata, and needs far less water.
Give bright indirect light. Most palms cope with medium light but thin out in genuine gloom. Water when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly weekly in summer and less in winter, and never on a fixed daily schedule.
Dry indoor air and air conditioning cause brown leaf tips, so group pots together or stand them on a pebble tray. Areca and parlour palms are pet-safe; the sago palm, despite the name, is highly toxic to dogs and cats.
8. Morning glory
Morning glory (Ipomoea) is associated with fresh starts and restful sleep, and is often planted at the entrance of a new home.
It is a fast outdoor climber rather than a houseplant. Grow it on a balcony grille, terrace railing or trellis where it gets 6-8 hours of sun, and give it something to twine around from the start.
Keep the roots moist through summer and mulch the surface; the vine copes well with monsoon rain. The seeds are toxic if swallowed, so keep them out of reach of children and pets rather than treating them as a sleep remedy.
9. Lucky bamboo
Lucky bamboo is not a bamboo at all but Dracaena sanderiana. It is the classic gift plant, and the stalk count carries the blessing: three for happiness, five for health, eight for wealth, with four avoided.
Keep it in bright indirect light. A bright window with direct sun will scorch the leaves and yellow the stalks.
In water, keep the roots covered by 2-3 cm and change the water every 7-10 days; it is sensitive to chlorine and fluoride, so filtered or rainwater works better than tap water. In soil, water two or three times a week in summer to keep it lightly moist. It is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it off low tables if you have pets.
10. Cactus
Some Feng Shui traditions say a well-placed cactus deflects harsh energy; others advise keeping spiny plants away from bedrooms and main doorways. Either way, put it where it gets light rather than where it looks symbolic.
Most cacti come from deserts and want bright light, three or four hours of direct sun, high temperatures and low humidity. An east or south window, or an open balcony, suits them.
Use a gritty, fast-draining mix and water sparingly: every two to three weeks in summer, almost never from November to February. Shelter pots from monsoon downpours, since prolonged wet is the main cause of collapse. Cacti carry out gas exchange at night, but do not expect any measurable change in your room's air.
11. Tulsi or basil plant
Tulsi, or holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), is a small shrub in the mint family and a different species from culinary sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). Rama or green tulsi and Krishna or purple tulsi are the types most often grown at home, alongside kapoor and vana tulsi.
Indian households have grown and worshipped tulsi for centuries, and Vastu places it in the north, north-east or east, traditionally in a courtyard or on a balcony rather than deep inside the house.
It needs six to eight hours of direct sun, well-drained soil and daily watering through the summer, tapering off in winter when cold nights in north India can set it back. Pinch out flower spikes to keep the plant leafy and long-lived.
12. Citrus tree
Round golden fruit is read as coins, so dwarf lemons, limes and kumquats are given at weddings, housewarmings and new year.
Citrus needs full sun, at least six hours, so grow it in a large container on a terrace or south-facing balcony. Indoors it drops leaves and rarely fruits.
Keep the soil moist but never soggy: water when the top inch is dry, about weekly in summer and roughly monthly in winter. Feed through the growing season and check new growth for leaf miner and citrus butterfly caterpillars, which are common after the monsoon.
13. Peace lily
The peace lily (Spathiphyllum, not a true lily) is linked with serenity and, in Vastu, with keeping unsettled energy out of a room. It is also one of the best true indoor plants on this list.
It flowers in low to medium indirect light, which makes it ideal for a north window, a bathroom or an air-conditioned bedroom. Direct sun browns the leaf edges.
Water when the top inch dries, usually weekly; the leaves droop as an early warning, though repeated wilting weakens the plant. Wipe the leaves monthly and repot when roots fill the pot. It appeared in NASA's chamber tests, but in a normal room the effect on air quality is negligible. All parts are toxic to cats and dogs.
14. Jade plant
Crassula ovata is also sold as the dollar plant or money tree. Its small, rounded, coin-like leaves symbolise steady growth and wealth, and Feng Shui places it on the east side of a home or business, or near the entrance of a shop.
Set it near a bright window that gives four to six hours of strong light, ideally south or west facing, with a little direct morning sun. Use a loose, fast-draining succulent mix.
Water thoroughly in spring and summer once the soil has dried out, and reduce to roughly once a month in winter. A balanced 20-20-20 feed during active growth is optional. Every part of the plant is poisonous to cats and dogs, so place it out of reach.
15. Peepal bonsai
Peepal bonsai (Ficus religiosa) symbolises prosperity, joy and longevity, and is sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Its thick trunk and aerial roots make it one of the easiest species to train in a pot, and it is forgiving of beginner mistakes.
It is a light-hungry tree rather than a shade plant. Keep it on a balcony or at a bright east or south window, and bring it indoors only for short display periods. Avoid draughts and spots directly under an air conditioner.
Water when the top 2-3 cm of a free-draining bonsai mix feels dry, using a pot with drainage holes. Raise humidity with a gravel-and-water tray or an occasional misting. Prune new shoots back to two leaves through the growing season, and note that the milky sap can irritate skin.
Season-by-season care in Indian homes
| Season | What to do |
|---|---|
| Summer (March-June) | Move sun-lovers to a shaded part of the balcony during afternoon peaks. Water more often, mist palms and orchids, and never let terracotta pots bake dry. |
| Monsoon (July-September) | Cut watering sharply. Empty saucers, shelter cacti, jade and aloe from rain, and check for fungus gnats and root rot. |
| Autumn (October-November) | Best repotting and pruning window. Feed lightly and clean dust off leaves. |
| Winter (December-February) | In north India, move tulsi, jade, aloe and bonsai away from cold windows and water far less. In south India, growth continues, so keep watering moderately. |
| Air-conditioned rooms | Choose money plant, peace lily, lucky bamboo or parlour palm. Keep pots out of direct airflow and raise humidity with a pebble tray. |
Conclusion
Every plant on this list carries meaning in Feng Shui or Vastu, but the practical decision is simpler: match the plant to your light. Money plant, peace lily, lucky bamboo and jade thrive indoors; rose, jasmine, tulsi, citrus and morning glory belong on a sunny balcony.
Start with one or two, keep them healthy, and add more as you go. If you need help choosing, contact us at Abana Homes or write to our team through the contact page. You can also browse our indoor plants and bonsai collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which indoor plant is considered luckiest for money?
Money plant and jade are the two most widely kept for wealth. Feng Shui places them in the south-east corner, and jade is often kept near a shop entrance. Both are easy indoor plants, which is probably why the belief has lasted.
Where should good luck plants be placed as per Vastu?
Vastu favours the north and east for plants, and the north-east for tulsi. Heavy planting in the south-west is traditionally avoided. Practically, the north and east also give gentle morning light, which suits most indoor foliage plants.
Are good luck plants safe for cats and dogs?
Many are not. Aloe vera, money plant, arrowhead vine, peace lily, jade and lucky bamboo are all listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats and dogs, and morning glory seeds are toxic if eaten. Areca palm, parlour palm and Phalaenopsis orchids are safer choices.
Do these plants really purify indoor air?
Only marginally. NASA's 1989 study removed pollutants in small sealed chambers, not homes, and a 2019 review concluded that potted plants have little measurable effect on real room air. Ventilation does far more. Keep plants for greenery and calm instead.
Which good luck plant works in a dark, air-conditioned room?
Money plant, peace lily, lucky bamboo and parlour palm all cope with low light and air conditioning. Keep pots out of direct cold airflow, wipe dust off the leaves monthly, and water less often, since soil dries slowly in cooled rooms.
How many lucky bamboo stalks should I keep at home?
Three stalks are given for happiness, longevity and wealth, five for health, seven for good health and eight for prosperity. Four is avoided in Chinese tradition. Any arrangement works horticulturally, so choose by the size that suits your table.
Can a peepal bonsai be kept indoors?
Only for short spells. Ficus religiosa needs several hours of bright light, so a balcony or a sunny east window is best. Display it indoors for a few days at a time, then return it to strong light before the leaves start to thin.
How often should I water good luck plants during the monsoon?
Far less than in summer. Humidity keeps pots damp, so check the soil with a finger and water only when the top inch is dry. Empty saucers, and move succulents such as jade, aloe and cacti under cover to prevent root rot.