It is believed that almost every household has plants, whether small or large. Besides providing shade, fresh air, and a relaxing atmosphere, some plants are also believed to bring good fortune and auspicious blessings according to traditional beliefs. In addition to their ornamental beauty, they are thought to enhance prosperity and attract good luck. Let’s take a look at some auspicious plants that are worth growing at home.
- Money Flow Plant
The Money Flow Plant is believed to bring wealth, prosperity, and a steady flow of income to those who grow it. It is a climbing plant that can grow 10–20 meters in length when fully mature. The stems are slender, green, and smooth, with leaves and aerial roots growing from the nodes. Its most distinctive feature is its arrowhead-shaped leaves, which have a deeply indented base and pointed tips. The leaves are approximately 3–5 cm wide and 10–15 cm long. They are green with small white or yellow variegation along the veins. The plant produces creamy-white flower clusters at the tips of the stems. The flowers resemble those of the caladium, and it also bears small fruits. Although it may look similar to a caladium at first glance, there are several differences. Caladiums grow from underground tubers, whereas the Money Flow Plant is a climbing vine with aerial roots along its stems. In addition, caladium leaves are generally heart-shaped, and their colors are usually lighter and more vibrant than those of the Money Flow Plant.
- Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
The Corn Plant, also known as Dracaena fragrans, is a medium to large ornamental plant. It has a grayish-brown trunk that can grow to approximately 5–10 meters tall and usually does not produce branches. It bears simple leaves, and many varieties feature green leaves with white or pale yellow stripes. The leaf bases wrap around the stem. Its flower buds are long and tubular, with blossoms ranging from white to pale pink. The flowers produce a pleasant fragrance, especially in the evening or during cool weather, and typically bloom in winter, from November to January. According to traditional belief, this plant is especially suitable for business owners. It is believed that if the plant blooms successfully, it will bring prosperity and business growth. For office workers, it is also believed to symbolize career advancement and promotion.
- Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo is a small shrub that typically grows 2–3 feet tall. It has upright, unbranched stems and dark green, oval-shaped leaves with pointed tips. In Thailand, it is commonly known as Lucky Bamboo or Guan Yin Bamboo. In Chinese culture, it is often used together with flowers as an offering to sacred beings, as it is believed to bring good fortune to those who grow it. Lucky Bamboo symbolizes stability, prosperity, wealth, and good fortune. According to traditional beliefs, placing it in different areas of the home is thought to bring different benefits. Keeping it in the living room is believed to promote good health; in the dining room, it symbolizes abundance; in the home office, it is believed to attract wealth; in the kitchen, it is thought to bring peace and harmony to the household; and in the bathroom, it is believed to help balance the flow of positive energy.
- Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
The Crown of Thorns is one of the most popular ornamental plants in Thailand and has long been regarded as an auspicious plant. It features sturdy stems covered with sharp thorns, elongated oval leaves with pointed tips, and clusters of flowers in various colors, such as red and pink. It blooms throughout the year, with its peak flowering season occurring during winter. This plant grows best in loose, well-drained soil, and the soil should be replaced once a year. It prefers bright sunlight that is not excessively intense and does not require daily watering because it stores water well. Overwatering may cause the flowers to rot. According to traditional belief, planting the Crown of Thorns in front of the house brings good fortune. It is considered especially auspicious when planted in the southeast and on a Wednesday. It is also believed that if the plant produces eight or more flowers, it will bring abundant wealth and prosperity, as the number eight is associated with the Eight Immortals, who are believed to protect the household and bring peace, happiness, and lasting prosperity.
- Shield Aralia (Polyscias spp.)
Shield Aralia is a long-lived ornamental shrub. Depending on the size of its container, it generally grows to a height of 1–3 meters. Its most distinctive feature is its glossy, dark green, rounded leaves with wavy edges that curve upward like small bowls. The leaves range from 2–10 inches in size and are sometimes used as natural serving leaves or for food presentation in place of foam trays. This is a traditional Thai auspicious plant that has become increasingly popular. Its compact size, small decorative leaves with serrated edges, and white variegation make it attractive and easy to grow. It requires only watering once a day and should be kept away from intense sunlight. According to traditional belief, those who grow this plant will enjoy safety, peace, protection from enemies, and an abundance of good fortune.
- Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden Pothos is one of the most common auspicious houseplants, and it can be found in almost every home. It is an easy-to-grow climbing vine that requires only regular watering and does not need much sunlight. Given suitable conditions, it grows quickly and spreads so vigorously that frequent pruning is often needed. Its heart-shaped leaves make it especially attractive. According to traditional belief, Golden Pothos helps enhance prestige, attract wealth, and bring peace and harmony to the household. Another important benefit is its ability to help improve indoor air quality by absorbing certain airborne pollutants, especially ammonia. When placed in the bathroom, it is also believed to help keep the air cleaner and better ventilated.
- Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
The Snake Plant, also known as the Bowstring Hemp or Mother-in-law’s Tongue, is regarded as an auspicious plant with many benefits. According to traditional belief, it helps protect the household from misfortune and brings good luck to those living in the home. It is also well known for helping improve indoor air quality. Unlike many other plants, the Snake Plant continues to release oxygen at night through Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). It is available in both large varieties suitable for decorating room corners and dwarf varieties that are ideal for small pots on office desks. It is easy to care for—watering once a day, applying fertilizer every three months, and providing bright light from time to time are generally sufficient.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the most popular household plants in Thailand. It is widely valued for its traditional medicinal uses and is also regarded as an auspicious plant. Most people are familiar with its rosette of fleshy leaves, which vary in size depending on the plant’s stage of growth. According to traditional belief, if an aloe vera plant blooms successfully, it is believed to bring unexpected good fortune to its owner. For those living alone, keeping an aloe vera plant at home is also considered a good choice. In addition, the gel inside its leaves has long been used to help soothe minor burns, scalds, and support wound care.
- Silver Spoon Plant
The Silver Spoon Plant is an auspicious plant that is easy to grow and is believed to attract wealth and prosperity. Its dark green, glossy leaves are round and curved inward, resembling spoons. According to traditional belief, growing this plant helps enhance good fortune and attract financial luck, making it especially suitable for shop owners and businesspeople. Today, it remains a popular choice because it is easy to care for, requires only regular watering, and takes up very little space.
- Lady Summoning Plant (Homalomena spp.)
The Lady Summoning Plant has long been regarded as an auspicious plant in Thailand. Because of its auspicious name, it is traditionally believed that growing this plant at home will attract wealth and good fortune to the household. Among Chinese communities, it is also believed to symbolize longevity. Traditional beliefs also hold that consuming the plant’s rhizome and leaves brings protection and enhances personal charm. In addition, the plant has long been used in traditional herbal practices to help relieve insect bites, soothe certain animal venom, and support the treatment of snake bites, fever, sore throat, and headaches.
Besides providing shade and greenery or serving as beautiful ornamental plants that brighten our surroundings, plants are also believed to bring good fortune and auspicious blessings. If you’re interested in more of our articles, please visit the ARM’S ARMOR website. If you’d like to support us, don’t forget to like and follow the ARM’S ARMOR Facebook page so you won’t miss our latest articles.