5 Houseplants That Will Bring You Good Luck in the New Year

Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

Remember when your parents used to say, “Money doesn’t grow on trees?” While that might be true, it certainly can’t hurt to incorporate a money tree into your life. “These are said to bring prosperity and positive energy, making it a classic choice for the New Year,” says Chad Massura, founder and CEO of Rosy Soil.

According to Amy Enfield, horticulturist and senior content editor at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, you should place this plant in bright, indirect light and water it when the top inch of soil feels dry.

“Plant it in well-draining soil and rotate the plant occasionally to keep its shape balanced,” she advises. “If your money tree has a braided stem (which is three plants braided together), continue to braid the stems as the plant grows. This needs to be done while the stems are still young and flexible.”

Pilea (Pilea peperomioides)

Sometimes called a Chinese money plant, Enfield says the pilea is believed to symbolize prosperity because its round leaves look like coins. “To gift someone a pilea plant is like saying ‘I wish you good fortune and wealth,'” she adds.

Keep in mind that these plants need bright, indirect light, so they may not be ideal for every home or environment. “They like the soil kept consistently moist and should be watered whenever the top inch of soil is dry,” Enfield says. “Pilea is sensitive to fluorides and should be watered with rain, distilled, or filtered water.”

Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

“You can’t go wrong when the word ‘lucky’ is in the name,” Enfield says. Lucky bamboo—which isn’t a true bamboo—is often associated with Feng Shui and is said to bring balance, harmony, and prosperity. “The number of stalks also have symbolic meanings—three for happiness, five for health, and eight for wealth,” she adds.

Most lucky bamboo plants are grown in water, but they can also be grown in a potting mix. However, they do require a little bit of maintenance.

“Keep your lucky bamboo in bright, indirect light, and for water-grown plants, make sure the roots are submerged in clean, fresh water,” Enfield instructs. Replace the water every week and use rain, distilled, or filtered water to avoid chlorine or fluoride buildup, which is common with municipal water.

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

The jade plant symbolizes growth and prosperity. “It’s often given as a housewarming gift to bring good fortune to a new home,” explains Enfield.

This gorgeous succulent also thrives in bright light so she advises keeping it near a sunny window. “Plant your jade in a well-draining potting mix formulated for cacti and succulents,” she suggests. “To help encourage strong, healthy growth, feed it every two weeks with plant food.” With proper care, jade plants can live for decades.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The peace lily isn’t just a symbol of peace, but also purity and prosperity. Want your peace lilies to bloom? Enfield recommends placing them in a spot that gets indirect light and keeping the soil slightly moist but not letting it get too soggy.

“Occasionally clean off the leaves with a soft, damp cloth to remove any built-up dust,” she notes.