Plant These Seven Flowers in Your Garden for Good Luck

Did you know that, in addition to beautifying your space, adding instant curb appeal to your yard, and enhancing your health, certain flowers are said to bring good luck? "Some flowering plants can be considered lucky for many reasons, from mentions in myths to medicinal uses or just sheer beauty," says Kate Karam, landscape architect and editorial director of Monrovia. "These lucky flowers have been recorded by gardeners and academics for decades."

Luckily for you, these auspicious flowers aren't hard to find—or grow. So, if you'd like to add a little good fortune to your garden—and life—try planting these seven flowers in your yard.

Marigolds

Often associated with Mother Mary, marigolds help repel pests—and, according to some religions, can provide protection from evil spirits, says Amy Enfield, instructor and content developer for Scotts Miracle-Gro. "And for others, they represent the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and are symbolic for good fortune," she says. Marigolds need full sun and well-drained soil. They'll bloom from spring until the first frost.

Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose

This rose is a favorite for cutting, especially for miniature bouquets, which may have led to the flower's association with luck in love, says Karam. "Its small, pointed buds open to fragrant, light pink, double blooms in large sprays," she describes. A climber, it's perfect for a garden trellis or arbor. It should be planted in full sun and layered with compost. "Water it weekly, or more often in extreme heat," Karam says.

Chrysanthemum

"In Chinese culture the chrysanthemum is offered to elders as a symbol of longevity and good luck," Enfield explains. Gold chrysanthemums may be especially lucky, as they are said to represent wealth and prosperity, she says. For optimal growth, plant chrysanthemums in well-draining soil, in a spot that receives full sun. Then, keep the soil around the chrysanthemums moist, "watering whenever the top 1 inch of soil is dry," Enfield says.

Peonies

These huge blooms "represent love, fertility, luck, and success," Karam says. She especially loves the Itoh peony for its yellow blooms that are uniquely flushed with lavender and pink. "In time, the yellow and pink fade to pale white [leaving] a large dark burgundy flare in the center," she describes. To grow peonies, plant them in enriched, slightly acidic, well-drained soil, with their crowns just below soil level. Make sure to water them regularly.

Sunset Pink Azalea

"Azaleas are associated with abundance, especially pertaining to beauty or intelligence," Karam says. The sunset pink azalea is an especially hardy variety, making it a different kind of lucky for gardeners who may have a black thumb, she says. This type of azalea thrives in humus-rich, acidic, well-drained soils. Karam adds that it should be sheltered from harsh sun exposure in hot summer areas and watered both deeply and regularly during the first few growing seasons to establish its root system."

Amaryllis

According to Enfield, "Victorians associated amaryllis with strength because of its height and sturdy stems." These plants also stand for success and are sometimes given as gifts for achievements, she says. While amaryllis is often spotted at Christmas, these red (and sometimes pink or white) blooms start hitting stores in the form of bulbs in mid-fall. To plant amaryllis, pot it in a 6- to 8-inch container filled with a high-quality mix. Then, place the container in a spot with bright but indirect light and water it sparingly.

Mystery Gardenia

Like azaleas, all gardenias represent good luck, according to Karam. "But you'll need no luck at all when growing this gardenia," she says. "This superior grafted selection out-performs others, and its large white flowers and glossy evergreen foliage enhance any landscape or container." Her best advice? "Plant it near an entry or outdoor seating to best enjoy the sweet fragrance." (Just make sure it's in rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil.)