Q&A Sunday: Choosing Winter Plants for Your Warm Apartment

Anjie Cho November 24, 2019

"When in doubt, add a plant," is a great life motto, but I have trouble finding plants that can survive the intense heat in my Pre-War apartment during the winter months. Do you have any suggestions?

Maya B., New York City, NY

Hi Maya,

This is a great question! I definitely agree with that motto, since houseplants are so beneficial on so many levels. They add vitality to a space and add more life energy. Not only can they improve feng shui when placed strategically and with intention, they're masters of helping clean the pollution we accidentally introduce into our homes every day.

But if your apartment pumps up the heat as we head into winter, it can be tough to keep just any houseplants alive. I've got a few suggestions, listed below, for plants that can survive higher temperatures and should generally still be low-maintenance and good feng shui. You can also try a realistic looking fake plant.

Golden Pothos

If you've read any of the other posts on the blog regarding plants, you may remember that the golden pothos was my first plant in my New York apartment. It's still alive and kicking today, throughout 12 winters! Golden pothos plants are tough and can handle forgetful waterers as well as high temperatures. In fact, they thrive between 75 and 90 degrees.

Succulents

Some types of succulents can survive higher temperatures, ranging from 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Chances are, even in a Pre-War building, it's not getting hotter than 90 degrees in your apartment, so these succulents will be a good bet. Just be sure to keep an eye on them, as they may need a bit more water than succulents typically require due to the heat. Also, opt for succulents with softer, rounder leaves, as these bring positive feng shui into your space.

Bonsai Natal Plum

A form of Bonsai tree, the Natal Plum is said to be able to survive almost any situation, short of freezing cold temperatures. That makes it an acceptable option for indoor growth, even in a controlled-heat apartment in winter. The catch? Invest in a small fan to reduce the potential for bug infestation at high temperatures.

Rubber Plant

If you and your space can handle a larger plant, the rubber tree plant is a great candidate for indoor growth, especially in warmer apartments, as it thrives at temperatures between 75-80 degrees. Just be sure to avoid drastic changes (that shouldn't be a problem with a controlled temperature) and keep in mind that rubber trees can grow up to 20 feet tall, even inside.

Medicine Plant

Otherwise known as Aloe Vera, these plants are very adaptable, even when low light and high temperatures are involved. Aloe vera prefers lower temperatures, a bit higher than about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, during winter, but it can flourish just as well in heat. Again, the key here is to keep the plant watered when it dries out.

As a note, feng shui principles shy away from plants with prickly leaves or anything pointy. It's fine to use as a plant, but not best as a feng shui adjustment. As the aloe plant does have pointy leaves, it may not be great feng shui, but remember, ultimately making a holistic space is about how your space makes you feel. If you love an aloe plant and the intention with which you bring it into your home is good, go for it!

Cactus

Cactus plants fall into the same category as the medicine plant. In feng shui, the prickly spines aren't ideal for feng shui uses, but if your heart is set on a cactus plant, go with your heart! These plants are almost impossible to kill and used to desert temperatures. Cacti are actually members of the succulent family, so they need similar growth conditions. With cacti, even in hotter temperatures, be sure not to overwater!

Hopefully some of these durable plants will be right for your space, as bringing the outdoors in during the colder months is always a great move. If you do spring for a plant, be sure to let us know what you go with and share a pic or two!

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday". We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

A Feng Shui Bedroom Layout to Rest Easy

Anjie Cho November 20, 2019

featured on The Wellnest

Sure, we all sleep—but how many of us truly get a restorative night’s rest? According to a 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three adults don’t get enough sleep. (The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends adults aged 18 to 60 sleep at least seven hours each night to promote optimal health and wellness.) To create a more harmonious place for rest, consider adopting a decluttered feng shui bedroom layout.

For greater insight, we consulted Anjie Cho, an architect, feng shui expert, and author of Holistic Spaces: 108 Ways to Create a Mindful and Peaceful Home. We also chatted with Amy Friedman, founder of Clutter Away LA, a personal organizing business dedicated to clearing your space and mind alike. Here’s their take on small yet impactful steps for better sleep with a calm and clear bedroom.

Why Your Bedroom Matters

A Much Needed Safe Haven

Anjie emphasizes the importance of your bedroom, as it’s your most private space and one in which you spend a lot of time. “Think about how many hours you spend in your bedroom and in bed compared to other places,” she suggests. “If you sleep in a difficult bedroom, where it’s hard to open the door and everything is cluttered, it can affect your day-to-day life.”

…read full article

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui check out the Mindful Design Feng Shui certification program. Laura Morris and I launched our program in September 2018. To get on the list about it, sign up at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com.

Dive deeper into feng shui to transform your life!

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Create sacred spaces that support, and nourish.

Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com

Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui and Autism

Anjie Cho November 17, 2019

I found your blog last week and I totally love it. I've already done a couple of simple adjustments that have actually made a great impact on the space. Like moving my couch into a commanding position and clearing my entry way. I also noticed that my son, who is severely autistic, has been affected as well. Our living room seems to now be his perfect place to sit and do a quiet, focused activity- usually reading a picture book. How do you think feng shui applies to those with sensory issues, like autism and Asperger's syndrome? Do you have any recommendations on applying feng shui to an autistic child's bedroom?

Danielle P., Columbia, MO

Hi Danielle,

Aww thanks so much for your kind words. I’m so happy that the feng shui adjustments have impacted your son in such a positive way! I think this is a really important subject, so I also consulted with two other experts. My sister, Stephanie Cho, is a psychiatrist at George Washington University, and my friend Nancy Guberti, practices functional medicine and has worked with dozens of autistic children.

We all (Stephanie, Nancy and myself) agree that placing autistic children in the commanding position creates a safe and soothing environment. From the feng shui perspective, the commanding position sets you up so that there are fewer surprises; you can literally see what or who is coming into your space. For an autistic child, this helps to prevent opportunities for disturbances and creates a calming space.

Stephanie advised that for aspects of the environment that are sensory oriented, such as colors or smells, the feng shui guidelines are not as applicable, as this depends on each autistic child. Their associations with their senses are highly individual. Therefore it's best to notice and be aware of what colors, scents, or objects have positive associations with each child. Then it can be helpful to place that in their bedrooms. But by far, the commanding position is the way to go with the bed and, if possible desk or sitting areas.

The commanding position would place the bed (or other major furniture) such that when one is lying in the bed, that they can see the door while not in line with this door.

Nancy also suggested clutter-free environments for autistic children's bedrooms. The less busyness, the better. Less sensory input and "noise." I would recommend using storage with doors or bins. This is a great way to cut down the clutter and reduce the amount of noise in a space. :)

I'm thrilled to hear that the small changes you made as a result of our blog have made such an impact in such an important area of life. You and your son are proof that feng shui really does work! Please let me know if you make any of the adjustments Stephanie, Nancy and I have suggested and how they work out!

by Anjie Cho