The Best Spot For Your Snake Plant That Can Boost Positivity, According To Feng Shui

It might be an ancient practice, but feng shui has found new life in modern interiors thanks to how approachable it has become. Long believed to promote positive energy in the home, in recent years, it's been reframed as a practical design tool by both traditional masters and social media influencers. It's really about making thoughtful adjustments, however small. Feng shui teaches that where you position houseplants can shape the atmosphere of your home. The snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata), also known as mother-in-law's tongue, is associated with protection and positive energy, despite the sharp nickname. These qualities make it especially well suited to the entryway, where its placement is believed to block negative energy from entering your home. 

Often praised as one of the easiest houseplants to care for, the snake plant still benefits from thoughtful placement. When placing it in an entryway, you'll need to avoid the biggest mistake people make with snake plants of not getting enough light. This matters not just for the plant's health, but because a thriving plant is better able to support the kind of positive energy you're hoping to cultivate. With consistently bright, indirect light, it will stay strong and upright. 

In feng shui, the entryway isn't just an entrance. It's seen as the threshold where energy, or qi (life force), flows into the home and sets the tone for everything that follows. That's why this spot is often considered the most strategic place to position your snake plant, as it offers a shield of protection by absorbing sha qi (negative energy). You can flank an entryway or place a snake plant just inside. Just be careful not to place it directly in front of a door, as this can block the flow of positive energy into a space. 

The sharp, vertical form of the snake plant is key to its protective symbolism, thought to act as an energetic guardian. Its pointed leaves ward off bad vibes and keep unwanted influences at bay, making it especially well-suited to transitional zones where energy moves from one place to another. For added benefit — and a potential boost to your finances — you can also place the plant in the southeast or east areas of the home, which are tied to wealth and abundance. 

Feng shui is guided more by intention than rigid rules. If your entryway isn't the right fit, it's perfectly fine to place your snake plant in other areas, particularly those meant for gathering and productivity, like living rooms or home offices, where it's believed to support focus. That said, some traditions caution that its strong, upright energy could clash with the calm needed in those spaces. The key is working with the layout of your space and choosing placement that feels both balanced and purposeful. Once you've placed your snake plant, it's worth exploring other houseplants tied to luck and good fortune.