Has the season's unpredictable weather have you feeling gloomy or unmotivated lately? Does your home feel stale, uninspiring? If you've been in a rut of any kind, we're here to share one way to bring some positive energy into your home, stat―and it might be as simple as taking a trip to your local garden store.
Many people (myself, included) are firm believers that you can bring rejuvenating energy into your home with the help of plants. Certain plants are thought to manifest prosperity, peace, or even love. If you're looking for ways to breathe new life into your home while cultivating good vibes, here are some of the best plants and flowers to get the job done.
Bring on those positive vibes! Your home will get an instant energetic boost when you invest in one of the following common plants.
Peace Lilies
As you may have guessed from their name, peace lilies are thought to manifest peace—their lovely white flowers resemble the white flag of surrender. Not to mention, these wonderful plants are perfect for novice gardeners. Peace lilies are extremely easy to care for, as they thrive in low light and bounce back even if you forgot to water them. As an added bonus, these low-maintenance plants have been shown to remove pollutants like ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde from the air, according to a NASA study.
Lucky Bamboo
You've probably seen lucky bamboo given as a housewarming gift, as this plant is a staple in the practice of feng shui. The meaning of this plant depends on how many stalks you see—according to the Flower Shop Network, the number of stalks signifies different fortunes:
- 1 stalk = a meaningful life
- 2 stalks = luck in love or marriage
- 3 stalks = happiness
- 7 stalks = good health
- 8 stalks = wealth
Depending on what type of energy you need, you may want to consider purchasing a few stalks of lucky bamboo for your home.
Snake Plants
Most people would agree that healthy vibes are positive vibes. If you’re looking to freshen up the air in your home with a hard-to-kill plant, the snake plant is your guy! These low-maintenance plants were incredibly effective at removing pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde from the air in NASA’s study. And really, you can do your worst to these resilient plants and you still won’t kill them.
Money Trees
Another staple in feng shui, money tree plants are thought to bring prosperity into the home. These plants are easily recognizable thanks to their unique braided stems, and they're another popular housewarming gift for obvious reasons. If you have a big promotion on the horizon or could just use a little positive energy, there's no harm in bringing one of these bad boys into your home!
Boston Fern
Here’s another champion when it comes to cleaning the air. The NASA study we keep talking about found that Boston ferns are great at removing common pollutants from the air, helping to improve air quality in your home. These guys are a little finicky in terms of care—they like a more humid environment, so you may want to mist them with a spray bottle a few times per week.
Orchids
Orchids are an undeniably beautiful flowering plant. They come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, and while they certainly bring brightness to a home, these plants have a deeper symbolism as well. Because of their unique beauty, orchids have been coveted for many centuries, and in ancient Greek culture, they represent fertility and virility. Many homeowners are intimidated by orchids, as their care seems a bit complicated, but the key is to let the soil dry out completely between waterings and never leave your orchid in standing water—you’re more likely to overwater this plant than underwater it.
English Ivy
Because of ivy’s tendency to bind to surfaces and intertwine with other plants, it’s often seen as a symbol of togetherness, fidelity, and even longevity. But beyond its symbolism, English ivy is a great addition to your home thanks to its amazing air-purifying abilities. According to WebMD, studies have shown that this plant can remove up to 78 percent of airborne-mold in a matter of hours!
Additionally, there are several herbs that can help bring positive energy into your living space.
Sage
This aromatic herb is a staple in many Native American rituals, and growing it indoors is a great way to purify your home. While many sage rituals use white sage in particular, there’s nothing that says you can’t use the normal culinary variety—that way you can also use it to make delicious recipes like these Butternut Sage Scones. Once you have an abundance of sage growing, you can easily create your own “smudge sticks” for a house-cleansing ritual. Simply tie up stalks of sage with cedar and lavender, then hang them until they’re completely dry.
Holy Basil
As you may have guessed from its name, holy basil is a revered plant, specifically in the Hindu religion. This variety of basil has historically been used to treat a wide variety of illnesses, according to WebMD, but it also makes for a cleansing addition to your household. Plus, you'll be able to pluck off some leaves to add a fragrant note to your next stir-fry―win-win!
What are your favorite air-clearing plants to keep in the house? Let us know below!
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