Last week we were treated to an evening of learning all about the use of plants in Feng Shui. Our speaker, Renata Senatore, gave us a plethora of information on different plants to use in our homes, which are good in certain areas, which are helpful for different lifestyles, and even which plants to avoid using in your home.
Renata mentioned how important it is to invite nature into our environment. Plants uplift the energy and bring positive ch'i into your home and can also provide balance. Plants naturally pull toxins out of the air. According to the NASA Clear Air study, it's advantageous to have two plants/100 square feet of home/office space to efficiently clean the air. She talked a little about Biophilic design, where nature is brought into building spaces, as well as surrounding yourself with plants in your home.
Some plants Renata mentioned and some of the helpful information she shared: - Areca Palm - needs full to partial sun; moist, well-drained soil.
- Spider Plant - indirect, moderate light and watering (good in bathroom).
- Peace Lily - one of her favorite plants - easy to care for; moderate to low light, a bit more water than some others; mist leaves with water and dust them.
- Boston Fern - frequent watering and misting; does well in indirect sunlight.
- Lucky Bamboo - needs lots of water; partial shade. Don't want twisted stalks, but rather straight up: 2 for love, 8 for money, 9 for luck.
- Fiddle Leaf Fig - use mister often to remove dust off of leaves. Prefers east-facing sunny window; needs proper drainage. If it's happy where it's at, don't move it!
- Snake plant - great for hallways; only needs to be watered every 8 weeks; moderate to bright light. Poisonous. OK to have in the bedroom because it breathes in carbon dioxide and breathes out oxygen at night (opposite of most plants).
- Golden Pothos (Devil's Ivy) - good for wealth area; "impossible to kill"; bright, indirect light; does not like wet soil.
- Rubber Plant - partial shade; moist, well-drained soil; toxic to dogs and cats.
- Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia) - bright light (winter), otherwise prefers indirect light; poisonous. Being studied for potential treatments of cancer.
The Five Elements Plants: - Hyacinth - Wood element; wealth or family area.
- African Violet - Fire element; fame & reputation area; helpful for attracting attention and getting public recognition for your efforts.
- Elephant Ear (Philodendron) - Fire element; fame & reputation area - uplifts the energy; toxic.
- Cyclamen - Earth element; relationship, health or knowledge area.
- Jade - Earth element; relationship, health or knowledge area; good luck charm; great as a gift for a new business.
- Money Plant - metal element; children & creativity or helpful people area; known to help finances.
- Ivy - Water element; career area; grows in the shade.
Other plants - Dracaena (Dragon Tree) - greener varieties tend to need more water; water regularly.
- Ficus - can symbolically lift a low ceiling.
- Orchids - symbol of love and beauty; use ice cubes to water.
Bad Feng Shui plants: - Cactus plants - energy is too spikey.
- Dead/dying plants - bring them back to life or let them go.
Using Plants in Feng Shui: - Internal corners to keep the ch'i moving.
- Protruding corners to calm cutting ch'i.
- Long corridors/hallways to calm fast-moving ch'i.
- Bathrooms to keep the ch'i moving.
- Kitchens to add life force to food preparation.
- Bedrooms - plants are NOT recommended in bedrooms except for the Snake plant, as it converts air into usable oxygen at night.
Use coffee for plant fertilizer - either sprinkle some composted coffee grounds on to the soil of the plant or dilute black coffee with water and water your plants.
Renata imparted this information, and so much more during her presentation. She also gifted sun/moon mirror adjustments that she had created and sent to two lucky individuals. It was an evening full of all things plants and we appreciate Renata sharing her wisdom.
To contact Renata, feel free to email her at renata@ambiancebyrenata.com. | 
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