Eleftheria Spantidaki (landscape architect) suggests placing certain plants with “magical properties” in the home. They are said to change the energy of a space and bring us good luck in the new year.
Basil
Our grandmothers used to say that if we put a pot of basil at the entrance of the house, we would have good luck. The perennial varieties of basil can also be grown during the winter months, and the plant lasts for many years.
In the garden it should be kept in a cool or sheltered spot, while indoors it needs a bright position.
Bay Laurel
Another plant you can use, not only in cooking but also because it is said to bring good luck and recognition, is the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis, the laurel of Apollo). It is no coincidence that in ancient times athletes’ wreaths were made from laurel.
It is an upright, evergreen plant with a strong, pleasant fragrance and dense, lush foliage, and it cannot fail to bring positive energy and good luck to the home. Because it will struggle to survive indoors, place it near the balcony door or at the entrance.
Citrus
The various kinds of sour citrus are also plants that bring good luck and symbolize fertility, and one “myth” holds that they increase their owners’ income.
It is no coincidence that lemon blossoms were once used to decorate brides and wedding crowns. The shape of the trees, the scent of the flowers and fruit, the vivid, glossy colors of the fruit and the lush foliage are all symbols of good luck.
On your veranda, place small citrus trees in pots, such as a kumquat, a small lemon tree or an orange tree. Protect them from severe cold and strong winds, and enjoy the delicious fruit and the positive energy they radiate.
Pomegranate
According to tradition, in the first minutes of the new year we step into our home with the right foot first and break a pomegranate for good luck. The pomegranate’s deep red color symbolizes good luck and happiness, while the seeds inside symbolize abundance and fertility.
The pomegranate is good for our health, as it contains a number of vitamins, and it is also used in beauty products.
Bamboo
Finally, a characteristic plant used in Eastern philosophies to “protect” the home from negative energy is bamboo, which symbolizes longevity and health.
With their slender stems and thin leaves, which move in a distinctive way, bamboo plants become guardians of the interior space in which they stand. Place bamboo in pots on the balcony or in the garden, in a spot sheltered from the cold, or indoors in vases.
