Vaastu Shastra with Flowers & Plants: Things to Do and Mistakes to Avoid

While Feng Shui is an ancient art of harmonizing environment, Vaastu Shastra is the traditional Indian system of architecture, which defines directions and ways to sync life with natural forces. Vaastu Shastra describes how plants and flowers can trigger positive feelings and infuse energy in our lives. Apart from indoor plants such as lucky bamboo, peace lily and money plant or golden pothos, here are a few options in flowers and plants, which can perk up your living space as well as bring good luck to your sweet abode, according to Vaastu.

Holy Basil: Basil or Tulsi is considered to be the one of the most pious plants in India. It is deemed as ‘Vishnupriya,’ or ‘the dear of Vishnu, the creator.’  Its leaves, when swallowed with water can enhance your immunity and its presence in the form of 9 or 11 Tulsi trees is said to purify the air within a mile of radius.  In Ayurveda, it is hailed as the Mother of medicinal plants.

Vaastu Tip: Plant Tulsi in North, North-East (Ishan Kon) or East Side of the House.  Light ghee lamp or ‘agarbatti’ in front of the plant in the morning and evening to bring prosperity and good luck.

Jasmine:  This little white flower emanates a sweet fragrance and is available round the year.  It is said to be the favorite flower of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Fondly, it is also called Moonlight of the Garden, because of its white color.  In Southern parts of India, the flowers are used by women to decorate hair, as they are believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the family.  Jasmine is a known traditional medicine against skin disease, boils, ulcers, skin problems and eye ailments. It is also said to be effective in cancer.  Body oils and floral essence made from jasmine are calming, relaxing and soothe the nerves. If you are stressed and feeling little low, pour a few drops on your pillow for a deep and relaxed sleep.

Vaastu Tip: Plant Jasmine where it can get proper sunlight. Instead going for ready-made herbal tea, make Jasmine tea by boiling Jasmine flowers in water.

Peace Lily: The awesome and gorgeous peace lily can be planted indoors and takes the top slot in the list of NASA’s air purifying plants. If your apartment doesn’t get much light or your cubicle at work is windowless, don’t worry, these love shades! Just once-in-a-blue-moon outing in the sunlight is enough!

Vases or Flower Pots: A beautiful fresh flower bouquet and equally gorgeous vase can spruce up your home décor in minutes.  It is wonderful that how they are so handy and can be kept anywhere but according to Vaastu, flower pots shouldn’t be kept hanging in North, North-East and East directions, as these blocks the natural light coming from these auspicious directions. However, you can place them on the ground, but make sure that your floral arrangements don’t get much taller to block light and air.

Thorny Plants: From Vaastu’s viewpoint, thorny plants at homes are big no-no as they infuse negative energy into the ambience.  Apart from a rose, any plant with thorns like cactus shouldn’t be kept in the premises.  Plants and flowers that produce milk on breaking the twig should be avoided both at home and workplace.

Vaastu Tip: Plant Ashoka tree (Ficus) in between two cactus plants to reduce its ill effects.

Bonsais: Most of us aren’t aware that bonsais aren’t good as per Vaastu and Fengshui. While bonsai plants are beautiful to look at, they are made to look like mature trees by applying several techniques such as grafting and root reduction.  Whatever is against the nature isn’t, of course, good for you. So, don’t have them at your workplace or in the home to avoid negative energy.

Vines: If you are fond of growing creepers or vines, make sure they have their own support to hold on. And the ideal place to grow climbers is balconies and garden. Moneyplant or golden photos can be grown inside the house, but its growth should tend upwards and not downwards.  In the garden, it shouldn’t use a tree as a support.

Water Fountain in Garden: Vaastu directs North and East as the place of having a swimming pool, water fountain or waterfall in the garden.