7 Plants That Evoke Luck and Good Fortune

While the green, four-leafed shamrock is one of the most iconic symbols of luck, there are many other plants that are believed to bring good fortune.

Across cultures and traditions, people have continued to use plants to make their lives and homes feel a little luckier or to ward off bad luck.

Here are 7 plants to add to your garden or home that evoke luck and good fortune.

Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis)

A large round green leaf with very visible veins. In the center is a fuzzy, soft white bulb. — *Moluccella laevis growing in an allotment garden in Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland. Photo from Wikicomms.*

Cultivated since the 16th century, this mint family member features tall, striking spikes of tiny, white flowers surrounded by showy, cup-shaped, green calyces.

A botanical illustration of bells of Ireland. — *Shell Flower or Bells of Ireland (Moluccella Laevis L.): Flowering Stem with Separate Floral Segments. Coloured Etching by M. Bouchard, 1775*. 1775. Wellcome Collection.

It is popular for use in fresh cut flower arrangements, and according to the Victorian Era language of flowers, symbolizes luck. Native from the Mediterranean region east into Central Asia, the common name bells of Ireland most likely refers to the color of the calyces. Other common names include shell flower and old maid’s nightcap.

White Clover (Trifolium repens)

A large three-leafed green clover. Several water droplets are on the leaves. Clovers are an iconic symbol of luck. — *The leaves of a trifolium repens plant after a shower. Some of the drops of water have a strange optical effect making them look like they are floating. Photo from Wikicommons.*

Commonly found growing in lawns, searching for white clover leaves with four (or more!) leaflets is a favorite pastime of young children and those of us who are young at heart.

The genus name Trifolium means “three-leaved”, and most clover leaves are made up of three, heart-shaped leaflets. But 1 out of every 5,000-10,000 clover leaves will have four leaflets instead of three, so to find one is quite lucky.

While the four-leafed clover might may be lucky, this plant is weedy and potentially invasive so we don’t recommend adding it to your garden if you live in Missouri.

Small, round clusters of white petals are spread throughout a green lawn, — *A field of white clover flowers bloom in spring. Photo from the Garden’s PlantFinder.*

Shamrock Plant (Oxalis triangularis subsp. triangularis)

Small white, five-leafed flowers with a hint of purple. — *Shamrock blooms. Photos by Tom Incrocci.*

While the leaves of shamrock plants also use three leaflets just like clover, it is not closely related to true clovers (genus Trifolium).

The large, showy leaves can be purple or green with silvery or pink blotches and grow from small, underground corms.

Deep purple leaves contrast against bright green clovers. — *Shamrock plants bloom in the bulb garden. Photo by Sundos Schneider.*

Nurseries and grocery store often sell shamrock in March to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Shamrock plants can be grown as houseplants. The corms can also be purchased in the spring for planting in containers, window boxes, or hanging baskets.

Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Several pots of lucky bamboo show the bamboo shape of the plant. — *Dracaena sanderiana resembles bamboo, but is not related. Photo from Wikicommons.*

Usually grown as a potted plant either in soil or water for use as a houseplant, many believe lucky bamboo brings luck and good energy to indoor spaces.

Its easy-going nature makes it a great beginner friendly houseplant.

Long green leaves with white strips along the sides. — *Lucky Bamboo. Photo from the Garden’s PlantFinder.*

It has upright stems that resemble bamboo, but the two are not closely related. Lucky bamboo is in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family and is more closely related to spider plants and snake plants than bamboo, which is in the Poaceae (grass) family.

Tazetta Daffodil or Paperwhite (Narcissus ‘Minnow’)

A cluster of daffodils. The flowers are light yellow, with 6 petals. In the center is a trumpet shaped, bright yellow venter. — *Tazetta daffodil, ‘Narcissus ‘Minnow’. Photo by Tom Incrocci.*

These fragrant, early daffodils are often sold for forcing indoors in the winter. The blooms are a welcome reminder that spring is near.

Because they flower around the Lunar New Year, these plants symbolize luck and prosperity in the upcoming year in Chinese culture.

A field of bright yellow daffodils. — *Fields of daffodils blooms in spring at Shaw Nature Reserve. Photo by Margaret Schmidt.*

‘Minnow’ is a popular, early blooming, cold-hardy, hybrid selection of tazetta daffodil that reaches 6-8″ tall and has fragrant blooms.

Goldenrod (genus solidago)

A cluster of tiny yellow flowers on a branch. — *Solidago sphacelata Golden Fleece. Photo from the Garden’s PlantFinder.*

The golden color of its blooms and ability to grow just about anywhere led people in many cultures to associate goldenrods with luck and good fortune.

Looking for a great goldenrod to add to your landscape? Try Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ if you need a taller statement plant that will reach up to 3.5′ tall or Solidago sphacelata Golden Fleece’ for a compact, low-growing goldenrod that will only reach 1.5′ tall and wide.

Several branches of tiny yellow clusters of flowers. — *Rough goldenrod, Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’. Photo by Tom Incrocci.*

Goldenrods are important late-season pollen and nectar sources for insect pollinators, and are mistakenly associated with seasonal allergies because their bloom time often coincides with ragweed (genus Ambrosia).

Garlic (Allium sativum)

A plant that looks like a maroon ball with green spikes. — *Garlic, Allium sativum. Photo by Tom Incrocci.*

Add “luck” to the list of reasons to grow and eat more garlic!

In folk traditions from around the world, garlic is believed to ward off bad spirits and bring good luck.

Besides being delicious, garlic is easy to grow and is not bothered by many pests or disease problems. Hardneck garlic varieties do well in the St. Louis area and the cultivar ‘Music’ is a popular choice for its cold hardiness and strong flavor. Plant cloves in fall for an early summer harvest.

Justine Kandra | Horticulturist with the Garden’s William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening.

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