The Real Secret to ‘Lucky’ Plants (Hint: It’s Not Just Luck)

Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours in greenhouses and homes, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that people form a real bond with their plants. It’s about more than just a splash of green. So often, someone will pull me aside and ask, in a hopeful whisper, which plant will bring them good luck or money. They’ve heard the stories, and honestly, who doesn’t want a little extra good fortune?

While I can’t promise you a winning lottery ticket, I can share a different kind of truth I’ve seen with my own two hands: a healthy, thriving plant brings an incredible energy to a room. Its success reflects a stable, caring environment. The simple act of nurturing something and watching it grow? That absolutely boosts your own sense of well-being. A yellow, dying plant just feels sad, not lucky.

So, instead of just repeating folklore, let’s get into the practical, real-world advice to make these special plants flourish. We’ll cover the ‘why’ behind their care and troubleshoot the common issues I see all the time.

By the way, here’s a quick win. Want your plant to look luckier today? Grab a soft, damp cloth and gently wipe the dust off its leaves. It’s a five-minute spa day for your plant that helps it breathe better and makes the color pop. Instant gratification!

It’s All About the Vibe (And a Little Science)

Before we dive into specific plants, it’s worth knowing why having them indoors feels so good. It’s not just in your head. There’s a concept called biophilia, which is basically our built-in human need to connect with nature. Indoor plants totally scratch that itch, which can help reduce stress and improve focus. I’ve seen it happen in office spaces I’ve worked on—the rooms with happy plants just have a calmer, more productive atmosphere.

And yes, plants do help with air quality. While you’d need a literal jungle in your living room to truly purify the air, they do absorb carbon dioxide and release fresh oxygen. More practically, they release water vapor, which can slightly raise the humidity in a dry, stuffy room. The key, of course, is that the plant has to be healthy to do any of this.

1. Lucky Bamboo (The Imposter)

Let’s start with one of the most popular ‘lucky’ plants out there. First things first: Lucky Bamboo isn’t actually bamboo. It’s a type of Dracaena, a tough tropical plant. Knowing it comes from a rainforest floor, not a sunny bamboo grove, is the secret to its care.

How to Keep It Thriving

Water is EVERYTHING: This is the #1 reason these plants fail. Tap water is often loaded with minerals and chemicals that can clog up the plant’s system, leading to yellow leaves and stalks. My pro-tip? Use distilled water, filtered water, or even collected rainwater. If tap water is your only option, let it sit out for at least 24 hours so some of the chlorine can evaporate. Oh yeah, and change the water weekly to keep it fresh and prevent stinky bacteria from growing.

Let There Be (Indirect) Light: Remember, it grows under a rainforest canopy. It wants bright, indirect light. What does that even mean? Think of a spot that’s bright all day but where the sun’s rays aren’t directly torching the leaves. An east-facing window is perfect, or a few feet back from a super sunny west-facing one. Direct sun will scorch the leaves and turn them crispy.

A Note on Feeding: It really doesn’t need much. If you want to give it a little boost, add a single drop of liquid houseplant fertilizer to the water once every couple of months. And I mean one single drop—any more can burn it.

The Stalks and What They Mean

The tradition of counting stalks is a big part of its appeal. While the meanings can vary, here’s the general gist I’ve picked up over the years:

• Two Stalks: A symbol of love and partnership.
• Three Stalks: The classic combo for happiness, wealth, and a long life.
• Five Stalks: Represents balance and the five elements of nature.
• Eight Stalks: A popular choice for business success and prosperity.
• Nine Stalks: Symbolizes great fortune or a sense of completion.

Heads up! Four stalks are usually avoided in the tradition, as the word for ‘four’ in some languages sounds like the word for ‘death.’ Something to keep in mind if you’re giving one as a gift.

2. The Orchid (The Beautiful Diva)

Orchids are seen as symbols of beauty, love, and refinement. People are drawn to their elegant, long-lasting flowers, but they’re also one of the most misunderstood houseplants. I get more frantic calls about orchids than almost anything else.

The Secrets to Success

It’s Not Potted in Soil!: This is non-negotiable. Most common orchids are epiphytes, meaning in nature they grow on tree bark, not in the ground. Their roots need air! That’s why they’re sold in a chunky mix of bark and moss. Never, ever repot an orchid into regular potting soil—you’ll suffocate the roots and kill it, guaranteed.

Watering Correctly: The biggest mistake is overwatering. The roots need to dry out a bit. The easiest way to check is to look at the roots—if they’re silvery-green and plump, they’re happy. To water, take the whole pot to the sink and run lukewarm water through it for a minute, soaking everything. Then—and this is critical—let it drain completely. An orchid sitting in a puddle of water is a dead orchid. Mushy brown roots mean rot.

Light and Re-blooming: They need that same bright, indirect light. To get it to re-bloom after the flowers fall, you often need to give it a little push. A slight drop in temperature at night (down to around 60°F or 15°C) for a few weeks can trigger a new flower spike. Be patient, as it can take a month or two for a new spike to even appear!

Feeding a Diva: During spring and summer, you’ll want to feed them. Use a fertilizer made specifically for orchids, diluted to quarter-strength, with every other watering. Think of it as giving them a weak tea. You can stop feeding in the fall and winter.

To be frank, your first orchid might be a learning experience. I killed my first one by leaving it in a decorative pot with no drainage. It was a mushy, tragic mess. Learning from that mistake is what made me better at caring for them.

3. Money Tree (The Braided Wonder)

The Money Tree, often with its signature braided trunk, is said to trap good fortune. Botanically, it’s a tree from tropical wetlands, which tells you it’s a bit more forgiving about water than some other plants.

Care and Keeping

Light and Water Balance: It loves bright, indirect light but can handle some gentle morning sun. Because it’s a wetland plant, it’s more tolerant of moisture, but you still need balance. Let the top inch or two of soil dry out, then water it thoroughly until it runs out the drainage hole. A common mistake is actually underwatering it—if the leaves look wrinkly and sad, it’s probably thirsty.

That Cool Braided Trunk: The braid is done at the nursery when the trunks are young and flexible. Usually, it’s several individual plants woven together. Don’t be alarmed if one of the braids eventually dies off while the others look fine. You can carefully snip out the dead trunk with a clean pair of pruners; it won’t hurt the rest of the plant.

Pruning and Feeding: These trees love a good haircut. If yours gets tall and leggy, don’t be afraid to prune it back in the spring or summer to encourage a fuller, bushier shape. You can even stick the cuttings in water, and they’ll usually root in a few weeks! To keep it growing strong, feed it with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength about once a month during the spring and summer. Skip it in the winter.

Budgeting for Your Tree: A small starter plant will run you about $15-$25 at a big box store like Home Depot, while a larger, more impressive one might be $50 or more. Plan to spend another $20 on a good pot with drainage and a bag of quality potting soil.

4. Jade Plant (The Old Faithful)

A true classic. The Jade Plant, with its coin-like leaves, has been a symbol of wealth and friendship for ages. I’ve seen some in clients’ homes that have been in the family for generations. Their sheer longevity is part of their magic.

Succulent Fundamentals

Don’t Drown It!: This is a succulent. It stores water in its leaves. The absolute fastest way to kill a Jade Plant is by overwatering it. Root rot is swift and deadly. The soil needs to be gritty and drain fast. You can mix your own, but honestly, just grab a bag of pre-made Cactus & Succulent soil from any garden center. It’s the easy button and it works great.

Watering Protocol: Use the ‘soak and dry’ method. Wait until the soil is completely dry (you can stick a wooden skewer in to check). Then, water it thoroughly until water flows out the bottom. In winter, you might only water once a month. In summer, it could be every week or two.

Give It a Sun Tan: Jades need lots of bright light to stay compact and strong. A south-facing window is ideal. Without enough light, they get all stretched out and leggy. With great light, the leaf edges might even get a beautiful reddish tint.

Heads Up for Pet Owners: This is important. Jade Plants are mildly toxic to cats and dogs. If you have a pet that likes to nibble, it’s best to keep this plant out of reach or choose a pet-safe option instead.

Sharing the Wealth: One of the best things about jades is how easy they are to propagate. You can start a whole new plant from a single leaf! Just let it dry for a few days, lay it on top of some soil, and give it time. Be patient! You should see tiny roots in about 3-4 weeks. It’s a slow but super rewarding process.

So, Which ‘Lucky’ Plant Is Right for You?

Trying to decide? Let’s break it down simply.

• For the forgetful waterer with a sunny spot: The Jade Plant is your soulmate. Just keep it away from curious pets.
• For lower light spots or nervous beginners:Lucky Bamboo is incredibly forgiving, as long as you get the water right.
• For someone who wants a show-stopping bloom: The Orchid is an elegant choice that’s also pet-safe, but it requires a bit more specific care.
• For a lush, tree-like vibe that’s pretty easygoing: The Money Tree is a fantastic, pet-safe option that brings big green energy to a room.

Ultimately, the luckiest plant you can own is one that fits your home and your lifestyle. When you give a plant what it needs, it rewards you with growth and vitality. That success is a feeling no amount of folklore can replace. That’s the real secret.

Inspiration:

Does the pot itself really matter?

Absolutely. Think of it as your plant’s home. The number one rule is drainage. A pot without a hole at the bottom is a recipe for root rot, the fastest way to kill ‘good fortune.’ Also, resist the urge to ‘pot up’ into a massive container. A pot that’s only 1-2 inches wider than the root ball provides a snug environment that prevents the soil from staying wet for too long, creating the stable foundation every healthy plant needs.

Beyond just water and light, the secret to a truly lush-looking plant is often right under the surface. A generic, dense potting soil can suffocate roots. For many popular ‘lucky’ plants like Money Trees or ZZ Plants, creating a chunkier, well-draining mix is a game-changer.

• Start with a quality base: Use a peat-free potting mix, like Espoma’s Organic Potting Mix.
• Add aeration: Mix in a generous handful of perlite or pumice to create air pockets.
• Introduce texture: A bit of orchid bark or coco chips helps prevent compaction and mimics their natural environment.