Are Creepers and Climbing Plants Bad For Feng Shui?

Are creepers and climbing plants bad for feng shui? Recently, my mum came to the UK to visit us, and she noticed that I had a climbing plant outside my son’s room. He lives in an annexe away from the main house, and she wasn’t very pleased about it. She told me that, according to feng shui masters, climbing plants are a big no-no for a house. Not only can they damage the structure of the walls, but they are also believed to create a strong negative force for everyone living in the home.

As the climbing plant was outside my son’s room, right by his door, she insisted that I remove it. She felt that the plant was the root of the problems causing our drifting relationship with our son. We have had quite a few arguments recently, just like any other family. I couldn’t really see the plant as the cause. I told my mum that Mr K is a teenager (15 years old), and like many teenagers, he is currently going through physical, mental, and social changes, which naturally makes him more rebellious at times. Nevertheless, I listened to my mum and removed the beautiful flowering plant. Now we shall see whether it makes any difference.

Anyway, I did some research online and found that several feng shui websites suggest that creepers and climbing plants are not ideal because they may invite arguments and tension into the home. If the plants grow downward, they are said to create a negative pulling force for the people living there. However, if you enjoy having creepers or climbers indoors, some suggest training them to grow upwards instead, as this is believed to encourage more positive energy. It is also recommended to trim them regularly so they do not block sunlight or damage your walls. Personally, I think I will avoid them for now, even though I used to love how beautiful they looked when the flowers blossomed.

I do believe in feng shui and have practised a few of its ideas in our home. To me, feng shui is about creating balance and harmony — the balance of Yin and Yang — within your living space. There is no harm in listening to feng shui advice, as you can always choose whether or not to believe in it. Take the advice with a pinch of salt, try it out, and see whether it works for you. If it does not help you or your family, you can always return things to the way they were before.

For example, my mum once told me to remove a chair because it was blocking the “wealth” area of the house. I ended up placing the chair in a rather awkward spot because there was nowhere else to put it. Interestingly, the very next day, I received a few blogging jobs. Perhaps my fortune had improved after all.

Another example involved the water feature pond and bird bath in our garden. I had dug the pond two years earlier because my daughter wanted one. I loved the pond, especially watching birds and squirrels stop by for a drink.

Eventually, I filled the pond with rocks and soil and planted two evergreen plants in its place. That same evening, both my children suddenly felt unwell before bedtime. My son caught a cold, and my daughter developed a headache, which was unusual for her. The next day, I moved the bird bath back to its original position, and they both seemed to feel better afterwards. You might say it was simply a coincidence — or perhaps it was feng shui. I honestly do not know the answer.

I also realised that I felt happier once the bird bath was back because I genuinely enjoy watching birds bathe and drink. Observing wildlife brings me joy. As for the pond, I do not think I want to dig it out again now — it took far too much effort to build and fill in the first place.

Not every feng shui tip works for everyone. As I mentioned earlier, if something does not feel right or work well for you, you can always return it to its previous state.