The Best Plants For Your Garden If You're A Capricorn
Those born between December 22 and January 19 fall under the tenth zodiac sign of Capricorn, per Astrology Zodiac Signs. The cardinal earth sign is represented by the goat — more specifically, the mythical sea goat, which has roots in ancient Greek mythology. Ruled by Saturn, Capricorns are known for being very pragmatic, organized, and disciplined individuals.
Capricorns are among the perfectionists of the zodiac, only aiming for the best of the best. This characteristic translates to every aspect of their life, including how they maintain their home and, by extension, garden. Being an earth sign, embracing the natural element is incredibly important in balancing Capricorn's energy. Your garden is just as important in reflecting your personality as your home décor. When selecting plants for your garden, it's a great idea to choose in accordance with your Capricorn personality. Keep reading for a list of plants equally as practical and rooted as the sea goat.
1. Chocolate orchid
Capricorn is a very serious and practical sign, but they still have a unique edge and quality about them. A color that strongly represents Capricorn's values and characteristics is brown, specifically shades of khaki and beige, according to Times of India. While this may seem relatively basic, it is a very rare color to find in nature on a plant.
A beautiful plant that produces brown flowers is the chocolate orchid, more commonly known as oncidium "Sharry Baby." The flower gets its name not just from its stunning brown petals but from its strong fragrance, which smells like chocolate (via A Green Hand). Like Capricorns, orchids are very temperamental and specific flowers, requiring very specific conditions to grow and thrive. However, when those needs are met, the results are worth the effort. Provide your chocolate orchids with bright, indirect light, let it dry completely between watering, and keep them in warm and humid environments.
2. Venus fly trap
Capricorn is a sign that really values and prioritizes efficiency and productivity in every aspect of their life. While they certainly appreciate things to be visually cohesive, it's even better if everything with aesthetic value also had a functioning purpose. This is what makes Venus fly traps (Dionaea muscipula) such a great plant for Capricorns.
Venus fly traps are a type of carnivorous plant, meaning they get their nutrients both from photosynthesis and digesting insects, per Iowa State University. Placing a Venus fly trap on a patio or porch with a fruit fly or other bug problem is a great way to eradicate the pest while adding some greenery to your life — the ideal situation for the ever pragmatic Capricorn. The Great Outdoors recommends placing them by or growing them in water features, too, as they'll appreciate the humidity and help eat up stray mosquitoes and gnats. They can be outside year-round in hardiness zone 8 and above. They should be kept in full sun. Water frequently with rain or filtered water during dry periods, and avoid fertilizing.
3. Mint
Each zodiac sign is ruled by a planet, and each planet controls certain aspects of the body. When the sign's energy is balanced, its physical counterpart functions as productively as possible. On the flip side, unchecked energy could cause issues with that body part. Capricorn, for example, is ruled by Saturn, which controls the skeletal system — including your bones, joints, teeth, etc. (per Style Caster).
Capricorns will appreciate the multifunctional nature of herbs, acting as an attractive plant in your garden, something functional and edible, as well as the pleasant aroma they give off. A great herb for dental and overall bone health is mint or peppermint, according to Petaluma Dentist. Once the plant has matured enough to harvest, you can steep it in a tea or use it in a homemade toothpaste/mouthwash. The smell of mint is also incredibly invigorating, which is perfect for Capricorn's energetic and dedicated energy. Mint is an incredibly easy-to-grow plant, so much so that some gardeners have issues keeping it under control when grown in the ground. In general, Bonnie Plants says to plant mint in the spring, keep it regularly moist, and repot it every three to four years.
4. Money tree
Capricorns, more than any other zodiac sign, have a tendency to be very driven by professional desires and ambitions and typically seek out fiscal ventures with more vigor and success than the rest of the zodiac. A great plant to remind you of this passion is the money tree (Pachira aquatica). While it doesn't actually grow money, this tropical plant is believed to be a symbol of wealth, luck, and prosperity, according to Léon & George.
Money trees can be grown outdoors in the summer months or year-round in tropical climates. If you live in a lower hardiness zone, you can bring the plant indoors to overwinter. A full-grown money tree makes for a beautiful addition to any patio, deck, or garden, with its braided trunk and bright green foliage. Provide this plant with bright but indirect light, and let it completely dry out between watering, giving it a deep drink about once a week if the rainfall is low. Mist often, about once a week, to increase humidity in dryer climates and keep the leaves clean and prune once in the spring.
5. Chrysanthemums
For the Capricorn looking to add some more floral flare to their life while still enhancing characteristics of the sea goat, look no further than chrysanthemums. According to WoodFlowers, chrysanthemums are symbolic of wealth, prosperity, and good luck and fortune, just like the money tree.
Chrysanthemums can be easily found at most garden stores and even grocery stores in the late summer and fall months, but they can also be grown permanently year-round in hardiness zones 4 through 9, per FTD by Design. Provide them with as much sun as possible and water frequently. Mature chrysanthemums need to be watered roughly two to three times a week, and potted mums should be watered every few days. You can bring them indoors in the winter if you live in colder climates or cut mature flowers and use them in flower arrangements. The flowers come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes.