Tuesday 17 February marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse, and it's the perfect opportunity to harness the growth, success, and optimism this Lunar New Year presents. One of the best, and most beautiful, ways to bring this into your home is through houseplants that represent the Year of the Fire Horse.
The Year of the Fire Horse is all about bold change, progress, and personal shifts, and Feng Shui experts say there are plenty of Feng Shui houseplants that align perfectly with this, ideal for setting good intentions for the year ahead.
Not only are they typically red houseplants that are considered to have Fire energy, there are some houseplants on this list that are particularly poignant in strengthening the energy around career and growth. Here, the experts list their top three picks and how to make the most of their energies this year.
3 Houseplants That Represent the Year of the Horse
The Year of the Fire Horse is a fast-paced and transformative period in Chinese astrology.
It combines Horse's speed with Fire's intensity, exuding independent growth, creativity, and bold change.
There are plenty of houseplants that represent these ideas in the Feng Shui practice, naturally lending themselves as the perfect companions to supporting goals this Lunar New Year.
'The Fire Horse year amplifies movement, visibility, and momentum. Bold, upright plants with strong colour and structure help channel that intensity so it doesn’t tip into chaos, burnout, or impulsive decision-making,' adds Suzanne Butler, Feng Shui expert from Harmonising Energies Feng Shui.
1. Anthurium
There's no surprise anthuriums are on this list of houseplants that represent the Year of the Fire Horse, with their bright red spathes and upright growth.
'Anthuriums, with their vibrant red, heart-shaped flowers, radiate bold, fiery energy,' says Feng Shui practitioner Helen Plehn.
'They symbolize passion, protection, and courage, which are all qualities associated with the Fire Horse’s dynamic, independent spirit. The glossy red mirrors the intensity of Fire element energy,' she adds.
Red houseplants like anthuriums are often thought to have a psychological impact on us when grown in the home, as the vibrancy provides an energizing feeling.
Although not a traditional Feng Shui plant, you can still use the Feng Shui energy map (or Bagua) to decide where to best place an anthurium.
'I recommend the south of the home (the Fame and Reputation area), for personal recognition and courage this Year of the Fire Horse,' says Helen.
'The east (Health and Family) can also be a good spot, to support healing and vitality, which is especially important during the transformative Fire Horse years,' she adds.
This red anthurium brings some color to your home. It arrives 12-16" tall in a planter of your choice.
2. Lucky Red Bamboo
When it comes to lucky houseplants, there are few more reliable than lucky bamboo. For the Year of the Fire Horse, lucky red bamboo is a top choice.
'This plant merges two powerful elements: Wood and Fire. The bamboo represents growth, resilience, and uprightness, while the red ribbon or vase adds auspicious Fire energy,' Helen explains.
'In a Fire Horse year, it symbolizes bold ambition and fast-paced movement,' she adds.
It's Feng Shui tradition to add red ribbon (you can use this red ribbon from Amazon) to lucky bamboo to harness this fire energy Helen describes. Often, lucky red bamboo is sold in this arrangement, like from Walmart.
For extra good fortune, Helen suggests placing lucky bamboo carefully:
'The southeast (Wealth and Abundance) is a good spot for activating prosperity and luck, and it supports fearless goal setting for this Lunar New Year,' she says.
This lucky bamboo plant is 12-15" tall at time of arrival. It's woven into a beautiful, sculptural shape, and comes in a decorative pot.
3. Bromeliad
With the Year of the Fire Horse being all about bold moves and statements, there's no better choice of houseplant than bromeliads.
'These plants embody Fire Horse energy through their strong central structure and vivid colour, which represent focus, presence, and self-assurance,' describes Suzanne Butler.
'Unlike softer foliage plants, bromeliads make a statement, aligning well with a year that rewards courage and visibility.
'They are best placed in communal areas such as living rooms or dining spaces, or in the south sector of the home, where they can enhance recognition, motivation, and dynamic energy,' Suzanne adds.
Although, there is one word of warning Suzanne offers:
'They do require a significant amount of water which could dilute the Fire energy,' she says.
Nevertheless, there's no doubt bromeliads of all kinds will provide an energizing feel to interiors this year.
Just make sure to keep caring for bromeliads after they flower to encourage 'pup' growth to propagate and gain new plants for free.
This orange bromeliad has robust foliage and a striking flower. It arrives 10-16" at time of delivery in a white planter.
FAQs
Are Peace Lilies a Good Choice for the Year of the Fire Horse?
'While the peace lily is not a natural match for the bold, fast-moving energy of the Fire Horse year, it plays an important supporting role,' says Suzanne Butler, Feng Shui expert from Harmonising Energies Feng Shui.
'In Feng Shui, peace lilies represent purification, emotional regulation, and restoration, making them valuable in a year that can feel intense or overstimulating.
'Their soft white blooms and flowing leaves help calm excess Fire energy rather than amplify it,' she explains.
In terms of where to place a peace lily, Suzanne suggests bathrooms and quiet corners where they can bring some calmness, recovery, and stabilization.
No matter which houseplants that represent the Year of the Fire Horse you decide to add to your home, make sure to read up on Feng Shui houseplant mistakes to avoid.
Shop Houseplant Accessories
Use this soil moisture meter to identify how wet your houseplant's soil is before watering.
This glass plant mister has gorgeous gold detailing. It doubles as a decorative piece between use.
These pebble humidity trays are a low-effort way to boosting humidity levels for moisture-loving plants.
This pretty leaf shape houseplant trellis can be used to support climbing houseplants. Simply insert into your plant's pot and train it upwards.
