The 7 expert gardening tips that allow homeowners to achieve Feng Shui | World | News

August 24, 2025 3,126

A black and white American terrier sits on a chair next to a table on a green lawn.

Feng Shui practices can be traced back over 3000 years, with techniques derived from Neolithic China (Image: Getty)

Feng Shui isn’t just for interiors. This ancient Chinese philosophy, which centres on balancing energy or “qi”, can be just as powerful when applied to your garden. From boosting well-being to enhancing prosperity, practising Feng Shui in your outdoor space brings calm, flow, and vitality to your entire home.

Gardening expert Calum Maddock at HomeHow.co.uk shares his top insights into creating a Feng Shui-friendly garden that promotes harmony, health, and happiness.

1. Use soft shapes and avoid harsh corners

Curved lines are a cornerstone of Feng Shui, encouraging energy to flow smoothly rather than abruptly. In the garden, replace sharp-edged pathways and angular beds with gently winding paths, rounded flowerbeds, and flowing water features. Soft landscaping, such as curved stone walls or arched trellises, can create a peaceful rhythm that encourages a positive and tranquil atmosphere.

2. Incorporate relaxing seating areas

Furniture positioning matters just as much outside as it does indoors. Seating areas should promote connection and rest – ideal for enhancing relationships and overall well-being. Choose round tables to encourage energy flow and add a focal point like a fire pit to promote warmth and social interaction. Ensuring everyone has a place to sit also symbolises harmony in the household.

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3. Define your garden’s purpose

Without a clear purpose, energy becomes stagnant. Think of your garden in zones: areas for dining, playing, relaxing, or growing. Use the bagua map—a core Feng Shui tool—to guide placement and layout. Each section of the bagua relates to a life area (e.g., family, wealth, career) and an element (wood, fire, earth, water, metal), helping you optimise your space both practically and energetically.

Woman practicing mindfulness meditation in a garden setting surrounded by blooming flowers in the afternoon sun

Boxes are the basic building blocks of Feng Shui as they help form the Feng Shui roadmap. (Image: Getty)

4. Choose plants with positive energy

Not all greenery is equal when it comes to Feng Shui. Avoid excessive spiky or sharp-leaved plants, as these may disrupt positive energy. Favour soft, vibrant, and healthy plants such as bamboo, jade plants, peonies, and orchids. Regularly prune dead leaves and maintain good plant health, as dying foliage can block the flow of qi and affect your mood.

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5. Keep it clutter-free

A tidy garden is a tranquil garden. Remove broken pots, unused furniture, and overgrown shrubs to promote a clear and positive energy flow. Open pathways and minimal clutter help invite abundance and calm. Add wind chimes to enhance the sensory experience and further support uplifting vibrations.

6. Use Natural Borders Instead of Solid Fencing

Where possible, replace harsh fencing with soft, living boundaries. Rows of shrubs, hedges or trees act as privacy screens while maintaining a natural and organic feel. This not only supports the ‘wood’ element in Feng Shui but also enhances grounding and protection from negative external energy.

7. Balance with Colour and the Five Elements

Three white pots with indoor plant on a shelf with many plants in sunny weather.

The practice has spread globally, with millions of people applying it or following it. (Image: Getty)

Colour is deeply symbolic in Feng Shui. Earthy tones like terracotta and green promote stability, while blues and blacks represent water and wealth. You can boost prosperity and balance by incorporating each of the five Taoist elements into your garden: