Top 12 Feng Shui Plants for Filipino Homes

Why Feng Shui Plants Matter in Filipino Homes

Feng shui plants in the Philippines are more than just decoration. Filipino and Filipino-Chinese families have placed lucky plants in their homes for generations to attract wealth, health, and positive energy. The tropical climate makes the Philippines ideal for growing these auspicious plants year-round without much effort.

In feng shui, plants represent the wood element. They bring growth energy, renewal, and vitality into any space. The right plant in the right spot can shift the energy of an entire room. Below are the top 12 feng shui plants that grow well in Filipino homes, offices, and gardens.

1. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

The money tree is the most popular feng shui plant in the Philippines. Its braided trunk and five-lobed leaves symbolise the five elements: wood, water, earth, fire, and metal. Filipino-Chinese business owners often place money trees at shop entrances for good fortune. This plant thrives in bright indirect light and needs watering only when the top soil dries out. It tolerates air-conditioned rooms well, making it perfect for offices and condos across Metro Manila.

2. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

The jade plant is known as the "dollar plant" or "friendship tree" in the Philippines. Its thick, coin-shaped leaves represent wealth and prosperity. Jade plants are succulents, so they need very little water and prefer full sun to partial shade. Place one near your front door or in the southeast corner of your living room. They grow slowly but can live for decades, symbolising long-lasting fortune. Jade plants also make excellent housewarming gifts in Filipino culture.

3. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Lucky bamboo is a staple in Filipino-Chinese homes and businesses. Despite its name, it is not actually bamboo but a type of dracaena. The number of stalks carries meaning: two stalks for love, three for happiness, five for health, and eight for wealth. Lucky bamboo grows in water or soil and tolerates low light conditions. It requires almost no maintenance, just keep the water level topped up and change it every two weeks. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, which turns the leaves yellow.

4. Fortune Plant (Dracaena fragrans)

The fortune plant is one of the most common lucky plants in Philippine households. Also called corn plant or mass cane, it features long arching leaves with a glossy green surface. Place it in the southeast corner to attract wealth energy. Fortune plants tolerate low light and irregular watering, making them ideal for busy Filipino families. They also purify indoor air by removing formaldehyde and other toxins. Mature plants can reach 1.5 to 3 metres tall.

5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The peace lily brings calming, harmonious energy into any room. In feng shui, its white flowers represent purity and the balance of yin and yang. Peace lilies thrive in low to medium light and love the high humidity of Philippine homes. They are one of the best air-purifying plants identified by NASA. Water when the top centimetre of soil feels dry. The plant will droop dramatically when thirsty but recovers quickly after watering. Place it in the east corner to promote family health.

6. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

The snake plant is called "mother-in-law's tongue" in the Philippines. Its upward-pointing leaves channel strong protective energy. In feng shui, snake plants absorb negative energy and release positive chi, especially when placed near electronics. They are nearly indestructible and thrive on neglect. Water every 2 to 3 weeks and place in any light condition from low to bright. Snake plants also produce oxygen at night, making them one of the few plants recommended for bedrooms.

7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

The rubber plant represents abundance and happiness in feng shui. Its large, glossy, dark green leaves symbolise wealth and good fortune. In the Philippines, rubber plants grow vigorously outdoors and adapt well to indoor conditions. They prefer bright indirect light but tolerate lower light levels. Water when the top 3 cm of soil dries out. The round shape of the leaves softens sharp corners in rooms, which helps the flow of positive energy. Place it in the wealth corner for best results.

8. Money Plant / Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

The pothos is widely known as "money plant" in the Philippines. Its heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines bring abundance energy into homes and offices. Pothos is almost impossible to kill, making it perfect for beginners. It grows in water or soil, in low light or bright indirect light. Hang it in a basket near windows or let it trail from shelves. In feng shui, the trailing growth pattern represents flowing wealth. Avoid placing pothos where the vines grow downward toward the floor, as this can reverse its positive energy.

9. Bamboo (Bambusa species)

Bamboo represents strength, flexibility, and resilience in feng shui. Many Filipino homes grow bamboo in their gardens or use bamboo groves as natural fences. In feng shui, bamboo planted near the home attracts protective energy and promotes rapid growth in all areas of life. Bamboo thrives in the Philippine climate with minimal care. It prefers full sun and regular watering during the dry season. Dwarf bamboo varieties work well in large containers for condo balconies. The rustling sound of bamboo leaves is believed to calm negative energy.

10. Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa)

The calamansi tree is a uniquely Filipino feng shui plant. Citrus fruits represent gold and wealth in Chinese feng shui tradition. Filipino-Chinese families display calamansi trees during Chinese New Year and keep them at home year-round for continuous abundance. Calamansi grows well in pots on balconies, rooftops, and small gardens across the Philippines. Give it full sun, regular watering, and monthly fertiliser. A fruiting calamansi tree at your entrance brings both good luck and fresh ingredients for your cooking.

11. Orchid (Orchidaceae)

Orchids represent love, beauty, fertility, and refinement in feng shui. In the Philippines, orchids grow naturally in the wild and are widely cultivated. The dendrobium and phalaenopsis varieties are the most popular for homes. Place orchids in the southwest corner of your bedroom to enhance romantic relationships. Pink orchids attract love, while purple orchids represent respect and admiration. They need bright indirect light, good air circulation, and watering every 5 to 7 days. Orchids bring elegance and positive energy to any space.

12. Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)

The aglaonema is called "Chinese evergreen" because of its deep roots in Asian feng shui practice. Its lush, colourful leaves bring vibrant yang energy into homes. Red and pink aglaonema varieties are especially auspicious, representing fire energy and passion. This plant thrives in low to medium light and handles the humidity of Philippine homes with ease. Water every 7 to 10 days. Place aglaonema in the living room or office to promote vitality and success. It is one of the hardiest feng shui plants available.

Feng Shui Placement Tips for Your Plants

Where you place your feng shui plants matters as much as which plants you choose. Each area of your home connects to a different aspect of life according to the bagua map.

Wealth Corner (Southeast)

The southeast corner of your home or office activates financial abundance. Place money trees, jade plants, or fortune plants here. Use odd numbers of plants for stronger energy. Keep this area clean and clutter-free for best results.

Entrance and Living Room

Plants near the front door welcome positive chi into your home. Choose upright plants like snake plants or rubber plants to channel strong energy inward. Avoid thorny or spiky plants at the entrance, as they create sha (negative) energy.

Bedroom Considerations

Most feng shui practitioners advise against placing plants in bedrooms. The active wood energy can disturb sleep. However, snake plants and peace lilies are exceptions. Snake plants release oxygen at night, and peace lilies promote calm, restful energy. Limit bedroom plants to one or two small specimens.

Areas to Avoid

• Bathrooms - Draining water energy conflicts with plant growth energy
• Centre of the house - Reserve this for earth element items
• Directly above or below a bed - Creates oppressive energy during sleep
• Dark, neglected corners - Plants that suffer in darkness bring negative energy

Care Tips for Feng Shui Plants in the Philippines

The Philippine climate gives feng shui plants a natural advantage. High humidity, warm temperatures, and abundant rainfall support healthy growth year-round. Follow these tips to keep your lucky plants thriving.

• Light - Most feng shui plants prefer bright indirect light. Place them near windows with sheer curtains or 1 to 2 metres from unobstructed windows.
• Watering - Reduce watering during the rainy season (June to November). Overwatering kills more indoor plants than any other problem.
• Humidity - Philippine humidity suits most feng shui plants perfectly. Mist succulent types less often, as they prefer drier conditions.
• Fertiliser - Feed monthly during the growing season (April to October) with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half strength.
• Pruning - Remove dead or yellow leaves immediately. Dying foliage attracts negative energy according to feng shui principles.
• Repotting - Repot every 1 to 2 years in fresh potting mix. Root-bound plants slow their growth and lose vitality.

Where to Buy Feng Shui Plants in the Philippines

Finding quality feng shui plants in the Philippines is easy. Here are the best places to shop.

• Cartimar Plant Market, Pasay - The largest plant market in Metro Manila with hundreds of vendors offering every type of lucky plant
• Quezon City Memorial Circle Plant Market - Affordable prices and a wide selection of ornamental and feng shui plants
• Shopee and Lazada - Search for "feng shui plants" to find verified sellers with buyer reviews and same-day delivery options
• Facebook Plant Groups - Join groups like "Plant Addicts Philippines" and "Indoor Plants PH" to buy directly from growers at better prices
• Local garden centres - Visit SM Hypermarket garden sections or Ace Hardware garden departments for common varieties

Frequently Asked Questions