Where To Place Pothos Plant In Feng Shui?

Feng shui is an ancient practice that people incorporate into their homes to lead a balanced lifestyle. Pothos plants symbolize prosperity and good luck. Naturally, placing pothos in your home seems like a perfect idea! The only question is, where to put it? The details and intentions of everything in your space are of high importance in feng shui. 

Pothos plants should be placed in areas with dead energy, such as above cabinets and in empty corners. Plants are associated with wood energy and should face east or southeast on the bagua map.

Keep reading to discover the harmony that feng shui brings to an environment. Pothos is just one plant that could beautify a room, although many other plants work as well. This post will discuss the origins of feng shui, the importance of house plants within feng shui, and the symbolism of pothos plants. To better understand why a pothos plant should be in a specific area, you should understand the basics of feng shui.

What Are The Three Main Principles Of Feng Shui? 

Tropical plant - golden pothos

The Commanding Position

The commanding position is the first principle of feng shui. The commanding position is directly diagonal to the door of a room. The door is a threshold for energy. It is often called the "mouth of chi," or the mouth of energy.

If you are incorporating feng shui into your bedroom, be sure to move your bed to face the door on a diagonal. It is a fundamental belief that the bed, desk, or another important piece of furniture be placed in the commanding position with respect to the entryway. 

Depending on the layout of a room, this may not be possible. An alternative solution is to place a mirror in a location where, from your bed, you can see the reflection of the doorway. The effort put into achieving feng shui is extremely important. Intentions are everything within this practice. 

Bagua

Bagua is the energy map of a given room. The direction of energy flow is also very important, which you will see in the element descriptions.

In Chinese, bagua means "the eight areas" (referring to health/family, relationships, wealth, fame, knowledge, career, children/creativity, and support.) Each area of bagua correlates to specific elements, colors, and objects. 

 White table shelf with bagua

If there is a lack of energy flow, it is suggested to place either a mirror or a green plant in the room. This can rejuvenate the area and support healthy bagua energy circulation. 

The Five Elements

Earth is the feng shui element that represents relationships and knowledge. The colors that represent this element are brown, beige, and yellow. Earth is associated with the northeast, southwest, and central directions. 

Metal in feng shui portrays support, children, and creativity. The colors that show this are amber, bronze, gray, and silver. This is a more neutral color palette. Metal corresponds to the northwest and western directions. 

Water is all about fluidity in life. This has direct connections to your career. The colors that will enhance the water element are blue, black, and periwinkle. Water is only connected to the north. 

Fire represents fame and reputation. The colors that enhance this element are amaranth, crimson, lilac, and maroon. Fire is associated with the south. 

Wood represents wealth and family. The colors to use for the wood element include green and brown. It is also most often connected to the east and southeast. 

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Where To Place Plants In Feng Shui?

Plants are connected to the wood element, therefore they should face the east or southeast. Of course, if your windows face a different direction, it won't ruin the whole practice. Just incorporate what works for you.

Remember that it is all in the intention of the rituals and traditions, not necessarily that you follow every guideline.

Wood brings liveliness and positive energy to a stagnant area. Where are stagnant areas? Here is a list of possible places:

  • Above cabinets 
  • Empty corners 
  • Areas prone to dust
  • Windows looking over an empty space

All of these locations have something in common—there is a lack of energy circulation. Plants can restore liveliness and increase energy flow. 

A beautiful devil's vine or devil's ivy plant in a flowerpot on the wooden shelf

Pothos plants purify the air and are always welcomed into a feng shui home. They are easy to manage and forgiving if you forget to water them. The bagua areas that are connected to wood are wealth and family. That means the areas of your home such as the office and living room should include more plants.

The type of plant also matters in feng shui. For example, cacti are discouraged due to their spikes. They symbolize conflict rather than the restoration of peace and harmony. 

What Are The Origins Of Feng Shui? 

The earliest known record of feng shui is in China roughly 4,700 B.C. Originally, the practice was based on astronomy. As humanity made technological advancements, feng shui adopted the use of the magnetic compass.

Prior to this invention, people would use cosmography and the astrolabe. This tool could calculate astronomical equations and became exceedingly popular along with the luopan. 

While there are books upon books that go into detail about feng shui, much of it was orally passed down from generation to generation.

For example, in the ancient teachings of this practice, only select students would be able to continue learning in more detail. The information would come one on one from the master. 

In more recent times, feng shui has become the focal point of home designers and landscape ecologists. It is important to know the origins of feng shui and learn from this Chinese practice.

Some modern-day skeptics believe feng shui is a metaphysical pseudoscience scam. Regardless of whether you believe in the healing powers of feng shui, remember to respect the various cultural practices around the world. 

What Does A Pothos Plant Symbolize? 

In Chinese culture, the golden pothos symbolizes wealth in abundance. It is a very lucky plant that invites positive energy into the owner's home.

In other cultures, pothos plants represent perseverance. The vines spread out and cling to whatever they wish, persevering in even the toughest houseplant locations. Pothos plants also have perfectly shaped leaves. Feng shui encourages heart-shaped and rounded leaves, especially avoiding anything prickly. 

Home and garden decoration of golden pothos in the bedroom at window

Can You Put A Plant In The Abundance Corner? 

It is absolutely encouraged to place plants in the abundance corner. The abundance corner of a home is the farthest left corner of your home.

Since wood and wealth are intertwined, it is important to make sure the plant stays green and healthy. Poor plant health will reflect on your finances. If pothos is unavailable, here are other plant suggestions: 

  • Chinese money tree 
  • Five stalks of bamboo
  • Snake plant 
  • Rubber plant
  • Jade plant

Vase with bamboo stems on cabinet in living room

Note that there are specifically five stalks of bamboo. It is important to know what numbers are culturally significant.

A gift of four stalks of bamboo is an incredibly rude statement because four is an unlucky number in Chinese culture. The other houseplants listed are fairly simple to care for and would make great additions to a desk. 

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Does Feng Shui Approve Of Bedroom Plants?

Yes and no. Some experts will promote placing plants in your room because in feng shui the bedroom represents the person as a whole. Essentially, bringing plants into the bedroom helps purify the body (figuratively and literally) and adds a pop of color.

Others may disagree, stating that the wood element is too expensive for the bedroom. Rather, they believe the plants can disrupt the subtle tranquility of your bedroom. It is mostly agreed upon, however, that it is perfectly acceptable to place plants in the bedroom.

Long story short, if you believe plants will improve your bedroom, they probably will!

In Closing

Pothos plants are basically good luck charms that increase the energy flow of a room. It is totally okay to place it in your bedroom, although it is encouraged to put a plant in a stagnant area. Whatever that looks like in your home, whether it's above that kitchen cabinet or on the shelf that overlooks an empty lot. 

If you enjoyed this post, check out our related articles down below:

Where To Place A Snake Plant In Feng Shui 

7 Hanging Plants That Can Grow Well In The Bathroom 

Mock up frame on wooden Cabinets TV in a dark green room and decoration, Where To Place Pothos Plant In Feng Shui?

One comment

  1. Tropical and subtropical regions signify wealth and abundance in some Chinese cultures (per Garden Tabs). The Chinese believe this plant will increase your luck and financial success while welcoming.

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