The game to get lucky in the Year of the Rooster is on.

But if you're too lazy to queue and deposit money at your allocated lucky hours, here's a bao-jiak (surefire) way to have a healthy and prosperous year ahead instead:

Put a nice plant in your home.

via GIPHY

We're serious, though!

Feng Shui dictates that having plants at home can neutralise the negative energy gathered from sharp edges, low ceilings or electromagnetic waves from appliances.

Even if you see feng shui as complete nonsense, plants can purify the air by removing chemicals from it, and this is from no less than a comprehensive study by NASA.

These chemicals in the air come from tissue paper, printer ink, tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust and more; things we can't live without.

These chemicals can be really bad for a person's health, causing a wide range of symptoms.

According to NASA's recommendation, you should place one of each plant every 100 square feet (the equivalent of 9.29 square metres) of your home or office.

We had a look at their chart, and selected eight air purifying and auspicious plants that you can buy for Chinese New Year:

Important note: These plants may be toxic to cats, dogs or other pets. Do check before buying!

1. Spider Plant ('Hens-and-chickens')

Spider plants can remove formaldehyde and xylene from the air. They are also known as 'Hens-and-chickens' because plantlets grow from the tip of the stems of a single plant just like a mother hen being surrounded by its babies.

Sounds like a Year of the Rooster plant, doesn't it?

2. Cornstalk Dracena (Iron Tree)

Iron Trees can remove trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene. Since the name has a link to "metal", it can ward off bad luck (if you believe in that).

It is also believed that when the Iron Tree blossoms, fortune is coming your way.

All works out pretty well, we reckon.

3. Devil's Ivy (Money Plant)

Devil's Ivy can remove formaldehyde, benzene and xylene. With its coin-like leaves, the money plant symbolises fortune and good luck.

4. Flamingo Lily

Flamingo Lilies can remove formaldehyde, xylene and ammonia. As the Chinese saying goes hua kai fu gui (花开富贵) — blossoming flowers symbolise prosperity — flamingo lilies have red or pink heart-shaped flowers (the colours of flamingoes, hence their name). The flowers can even last till Valentine's Day with proper care.

Dual purpose, not bad eh?

5. Barberton Daisy (Gerbera)

Barberton daisies, better known to us as gerberas, can remove trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and xylene. They are the fifth most popular flower in the world. Plus, they're suitable for any festive season or joyful occasion.

6. English Ivy

English Ivy can remove trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, xylene and benzene. They are fast-growing vines with evergreen leaves, and make pretty decor at home. No floor space? No problem — these can be grown in a hanging basket too.

7. Peace Lily

Peace lilies are like flamingo lilies, but with ivory white flowers instead. While they may be associated with death and funerals, they're actually one of the most effective air-filtering plants listed in the NASA study, removing all five listed chemicals — trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, xylene, benzene and ammonia.

8. Florist's Chrysanthemum

This is the other most effective air-filtering plant in the NASA study, removing all five listed chemicals as well.

Added plus point: Chrysanthemums symbolise perfection, optimism, joy and longevity.

To view the entire infographic, click here.

Top photo collage from various sources, as credited above

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Here’s the timetable for you to deposit money this Chinese New Year 2017

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