Some people add house plants to bring a little nature inside or for their air-purifying benefits. But others want to achieve more spiritual goals by generating positive energy or helping prevent negativity from entering their space. If you’re interested in practices like Feng Shui, you’re likely wondering how your favorite house plants fit into the scheme of things. Aloe vera plants are complex because they have a mixed reputation in Feng Shui. This guide will cover everything you need to know about where to position Aloe plants in the home for optimal care and Feng Shui benefits.
- Where to Position Aloe Plants in the Home – The Essentials
- About Aloe Plants
- Aloe Plants and Feng Shui
- Where to Position Aloe Plants in the Home
- Which Rooms are Most Appropriate in the Home
- Where Not to Place Aloe Plants in the Home
- Where to Place Aloe Plants Outdoors
- Essential Aloe Plant Care
- Where to Position Aloe FAQs:
- The Final Word
Where to Position Aloe Plants in the Home – The Essentials
To optimize the Feng Shui benefits of Aloe, position these plants in busy home areas such as kitchens or near entryways. Since the plant is spiky and can disrupt calmer energy patterns, it won’t cause any problems in areas that already buzzing with activity. For optimal plant care, locate your Aloe away from bright, direct sunlight in a warm area away from cold drafts.
About Aloe Plants
Aloe is an entire genus encompassing hundreds of plants with varying features. The Aloe vera, or Aloe barbadensis, is the most well-known and widely grown species.
The entire genus is native to parts of the world like Africa, the Arabian peninsula, the Mediterranean, and across Asia. In the wild, these plants generally grow in hot, dry, and challenging environments.
The majority of Aloe are succulents of some type. The thick and fleshy leaves they grow help hold water for dry periods, but it also means the plants are susceptible to overwatering when raised indoors.
Aloe plants have spiky, pointed leaves and may have spikes on these leaves as well. It’s often used for treating skin conditions.
Aloe Plants and Feng Shui
Aloe vera and other Aloe plants have a mixed reputation in practices like Feng Shui. Because they are live plants with green coloration, they can symbolize the growth of positive energy.
Plants are linked to the element of wood, which offers stability, strength, and steady growth. Live plants are often recommended for the home to stimulate certain parts of life, such as career or wealth. However, Aloe plants are not considered the best choice for this purpose.
In Feng Shui, rounded and curved shapes are preferred over sharp and pointed ones to generate positive energy. The pointy leaves and spikes of Aloe vera are often considered a problem in this kind of practice.
While it is possible to use an Aloe plant still indoors to stimulate energy and promote well-being, you’ll need to place it with extra care if following Feng Shui principles to help balance out its less-positive features.
Where to Position Aloe Plants in the Home
In general, you don’t want to place live plants near the home’s front door or rear entrance. This is considered a waste of energy since what the plant generates can flow right out of the structure.
However, when it comes to the spiky look of Aloe, this placement may actually work well. You can take advantage of the more protective association with its spiky appearance and limit what is allowed to enter your home through the doorways. This works better at the rear door than at the front since you don’t want to intimidate welcomed guests or visitors.
Aloe can repel negative energy thanks to its spiky look, so consider placing it near a computer desk or phone if you have issues receiving negative news through those portals.
Which Rooms are Most Appropriate in the Home
Aloe plants also make a good choice for very busy areas like kitchens or mudrooms where everyone is dropping off and picking up their outdoor gear.
Since the plant is spiky and can disrupt calmer energy patterns, it won’t cause any problems in areas that already buzzing with activity. The key to using Aloe to its best benefit in the practice of Feng Shui is to take advantage of the Bagua map. This is a way of separating the home or other structure into eight distinct sectors, each with its own special focus.
Where to Position an Aloe Plant According to the Bagua Map
Placing an Aloe vera plant in the South East part of the home can stimulate your wealth. This is a particularly safe placement for a spiky plant since it will help protect you from losses and adverse events in this part of your life.
You may consider placing a live plant in the North sector for career stimulation, but you may not want to choose an Aloe for this purpose. Unless your career is very combative, the pointed leaves could drive away customers or clients rather than welcoming them in. It may be a good fit for a lawyer or other professional that must be direct and even aggressive in their line of work.
If you’re receiving too much fame or infamy, placing the Aloe vera in the South position could help defend you against this. Despite having a slightly negative association due to its appearance, the Aloe can actually work in more parts of the Bagua than your average house plant because of its potential for protection.
Wherever you place the Aloe, consider its practical care needs as well. Make sure it’s getting indirect but bright light and is away from any cold drafts. Don’t let it get too hot or sunscalded, and avoid high humidity that could lead to wet soil.
Where Not to Place Aloe Plants in the Home
Aloe plants dislike direct sunlight and are best used in areas with a lot of activity. Even in Feng Shui, you’re discouraged from placing any live plant in the bedroom or other calming area.
All live plants are considered to generate energy, which can disrupt sleep or relaxation. While the living room may be busy enough for a plant like Aloe vera, reconsider keeping it by your bed or in the bathroom.
Don’t place live plants in the very center of the home either, which is considered to disrupt energy flow. Aloe vera plants are particularly prone to this problem due to their narrow, pointy leaves.
Where to Place Aloe Plants Outdoors
If you live in a warm climate with no chance of freezing winter temperatures, you may want to plant Aloe in the ground outdoors. Most varieties thrive in partially shaded areas without direct sun each day. Ensure the ground drains well, or use a raised container to ensure the plant’s roots don’t rot due to high moisture levels. They make great patio plants when placed in containers.
Essential Aloe Plant Care
Aloe doesn’t need much fertilizer or water to thrive. Avoid watering until the pot feels light and the top three or four inches of Aloe soil are dry. Remove any leaves that are yellow or dry out with age. The plant may produce new offshoots around its base that should be repotted annually to avoid crowding it. Provide Aloe plants with lots of indirect but bright sunlight and keep them away from cold drafts.
For more, see our in-depth guide on how to successfully grow Aloe plants at home.
Where to Position Aloe FAQs:
The living room, kitchen, or other busy areas of the home are best for the Aloe vera. Avoid calming areas like the bedroom since this plant can be too stimulating.
How far away from the window should an Aloe plant be?
Aloe plants prefer bright light, but most don’t respond well to direct sunlight and will burn. Keep Aloe plants around two to three feet from any window with direct exposure during the day.
Can I put my Aloe plant in a corner?
Feng Shui practices call for placing plants in corners to reflect energy back into the room, and the Aloe plant should tolerate it as long as there’s enough light. Consider a plant light to keep it happy no matter where you place it.
Can Aloe thrive in low-light environments?
Aloe vera, in particular, doesn’t need a lot of light, but it will stop growing and turn yellow without enough exposure. A plant light is generally the best way to accommodate these plants’ needs while placing them wherever you like in the home.
Can Aloe tolerate drafts?
Aloe can handle warm or dry drafts because of their desert heritage, but they don’t respond well to cold drafts. Keep them away from windows and doors in the winter.
Where to Position Aloe Plants – The Final Word
According to Feng Shui principles, the Aloe plant has a somewhat negative reputation, but it can still be used with careful planning. Consider it a shield made of pointy spikes to protect you and your energy, and you’ll be sure to find the proper placement for it in your home. Just be mindful that it can be disruptive before choosing which part of the Bagua to center it in.
If you’re looking for your next Aloe plant to add to your collection, see our in-depth guide to the best plant shops delivering Aloe plants nationwide.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.
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