How to Grow Lucky Bamboo? Care Methods, Precautions and Toxicity for Foliage Potted Plants

Lucky bamboo is also known by the nicknames iron shoulder pole, throat-opening sword, evergreen grass, and so on. It is a traditional ornamental flower in China and Japan, with leaves that stay emerald green all year round, hence the name evergreen. So how do you grow lucky bamboo? What are the care methods and precautions for potted lucky bamboo?

Rohdea is a genus under the family Liliaceae in the phylum Angiospermae. The species in this genus are mostly perennial herbaceous plants. The main characteristics of this genus are: the roots have many fibrous roots and are densely covered with white woolly hairs; the leaves are basal and arranged in two rows, overlapping into clusters; the flowers are fleshy spike inflorescences that emerge from the leaf axils; the corolla is usually white and salver-shaped or funnel-shaped; the fruit is a spherical berry with a single seed. This genus has only 1 species, distributed in China and Japan.

Lucky bamboo is often planted together with pine and Japanese sacred lily to express the meaning of auspiciousness and everlasting green. The people of our country are especially fond of lucky bamboo, which carries the meaning of “good fortune and as one wishes.” In traditional Chinese decoration, a pattern combining lucky bamboo and glossy ganoderma often appears, implying that everything goes smoothly and according to one's wishes, that is, may all things go as you wish. Below is a detailed introduction to how to grow lucky bamboo:

Types of lucky bamboo

Lucky bamboo is a common foliage plant. The six common cultivated varieties in homes are Dieffenbachia (spotted-leaf lucky bamboo), Aglaonema (Guangdong lucky bamboo), Ornithogalum caudatum (tiger-eye lucky bamboo), Rohdea japonica (Chinese lucky bamboo), Tradescantia spathacea (purple-back lucky bamboo), and Zebrina pendula (zebra-leaf lucky bamboo).

Care methods and precautions for lucky bamboo

1. Soil selection for growing lucky bamboo

The cultivation medium for lucky bamboo can be made from 2 parts humus soil, 2 parts forest leaf mold, 2 parts sandy vegetable garden soil, 2 parts furnace cinder ash, and 2 parts decomposed manure. The above five media are best prepared in advance, exposed to strong sunlight in summer, and finally finely sifted before being used in pots. When planting, a layer of base fertilizer should also be placed at the bottom of the pot, such as fermented and decomposed dry poultry manure mixed with a small amount of potting soil.

2. Fertilization methods for growing lucky bamboo

Lucky bamboo has thick leaves and stays green all year round, so it has a high fertilizer requirement. During the growing season, it must be given an organic liquid fertilizer made by fermenting rapeseed cake, meat bones, and the like once every half month. After being moved outdoors for normal cultivation each spring, it can be top-dressed once every 7—10 days using a ratio of 1:6 or 1:8. Before flower bud differentiation, appropriately add 0.5% ammonium sulfate or superphosphate to the topdressing, which is beneficial for budding and flowering. Stop fertilizing before flowering. After fruiting, it needs a large amount of nutrients, so apply thin fertilizer frequently to make the fruit brightly colored and plump.

3. Watering methods for growing lucky bamboo

Lucky bamboo is a herbaceous flowering plant with fleshy roots. It likes moisture but is afraid of water accumulating in the pot, so it should not be watered too much, otherwise the roots rot easily. In spring, water just enough to keep the potting soil moist, generally once every 2—3 days. In summer, depending on its growth, it can generally be watered once every evening, and sprinkler irrigation is preferable, as this makes the soil looser and easier for the roots to absorb. In autumn, water about once every 3 days, and the soil must be kept moist to promote the growth and development of the fruit. No matter where lucky bamboo is cultivated, it is best to place a water tray under the pot so that moisture is continuously drawn into the soil through the small holes and the potting soil remains consistently moist. However, watering should be controlled in winter; when overwintering in a greenhouse, it can be watered once every 10 days. The lower the room temperature, the less it should be watered; otherwise, root rot and yellow leaves will also occur in winter. At this time, keep the air moist and frequently rinse the leaves with warm water (25—30°C) to keep the leaves fresh, delicate, and emerald green.

4. Temperature requirements for growing lucky bamboo

Lucky bamboo has strong adaptability and is suitable for cultivation in both northern and southern regions. Its most suitable growth temperature is 20—30°C, and it can overwinter safely in winter at above 7°C.

5. Light requirements for growing lucky bamboo

Lucky bamboo has strong shade tolerance and likes to grow in moist, semi-shaded, or scattered-light environments. If cultivated outdoors on a large scale, shade frames should be set up in summer. For general home ornamental cultivation, it can be placed under tall sun-loving woody flowers to avoid direct strong sunlight.

6. Precautions for growing lucky bamboo

(1) Lucky bamboo is a flowering plant that likes warmth and humidity, tolerates shade, and fears cold. When placed outdoors for cultivation in summer, shade frames are needed. Under strong sunlight, the leaves easily turn greenish-white, and the leaf edges also easily become scorched. The most suitable temperature for lucky bamboo growth is 20—30°C. In winter, the indoor temperature is best kept between 12—15°C, and must not be lower than 7°C. Below 7°C, the leaves wilt and fall off, and in severe cases the whole plant dies.

(2) During the growing season, lucky bamboo prefers moisture rather than dryness. When the temperature is above 25°C, frequently spray water on the leaves; after autumn, control watering and aim for dry-wet alternation; in winter, keep it appropriately dry.

(3) Lucky bamboo is highly tolerant of fertilizer, but fertilization should be moderate. During the growing season, apply 20% rapeseed cake fertilizer water or 1% compound fertilizer solution once every 15-20 days; stop fertilizing in winter. Provide shade at noon in spring and autumn and in summer, and when grown indoors, place it in a bright spot. But in winter, maintain sufficient light.

7. Propagation methods for growing lucky bamboo

Lucky bamboo can be propagated by division and sowing.

(1) Division propagation: Lucky bamboo grows luxuriantly and has a well-developed root system, consuming a large amount of nutrients every year. Therefore, the pot and soil should be changed every year, in February—March. Lucky bamboo has strong sprouting ability, and tiller buds easily form at the base. These new tiller buds can be used for division propagation. Division can be carried out together with repotting and soil changing. Take the clustered mother plant out of the pot with the soil ball, shake off the attached soil, and cut it apart along its natural gaps, with 2—3 plants per clump. After cutting, smear the cut surfaces with plant ash, then plant them separately in Yixing purple clay pots of appropriate size. Lucky bamboo has strong regeneration ability and grows quickly after division, and can be divided again after 3—4 years.

(2) Seed propagation: The seeds of lucky bamboo generally mature in December. In the Yangtze River basin and regions to its north, households do not have heating equipment, so they cannot sow immediately after harvesting. The seeds can be stored until March—April of the following year, when the average temperature is around 22°C, for sowing. Depending on the number of seeds, the seedbed can generally be replaced by a clay pottery flower pot. The medium should be half forest leaf mold and half fine river sand, fully mixed, sterilized at high temperature, and then put into the pot. When sowing, level and press down the medium, then evenly sow the seeds in the seedbed, and water thoroughly by the immersion method. Cover the rim of the pot with glass, then place the seedbed in a warm, ventilated place. The main post-sowing management work is to keep the medium moist. After about 15—20 days, the seeds begin to germinate. At this time, remove the glass, strengthen ventilation in the room and on the balcony green environment, and provide weak sunlight. When the seedlings grow to 3—5 cm, they can be divided into pots at 3—4 plants per pot. In autumn, use potting soil and base fertilizer to plant them permanently in Yixing purple clay pots. Newly potted lucky bamboo should be carefully maintained. Generally, after more than two years of cultivation and management, it can bloom and set fruit and be placed indoors for viewing.

8. Pest and disease control for lucky bamboo

Lucky bamboo is often prone to leaf spot disease, anthracnose, brown soft scale, and other pests and diseases. If disease occurs, pay attention to frequent ventilation and light transmission, do not allow water accumulation, promptly prune diseased and disabled branches and leaves, and spray an appropriate amount of medicine for sterilization and disinfection to ensure normal plant growth; if pests occur, promptly spray the corresponding pesticide to kill them. If there are few pests and the impact is not great, simply scrape the insects off the plant with a bamboo strip.

Causes of yellowing lucky bamboo leaves and remedies

1. Normal aging

If care is proper, yellowing leaves of lucky bamboo are normal metabolism. As the plant grows, the lower leaves begin to age and turn yellow.

Remedy: There is no need to worry about yellowing leaves caused by normal aging of lucky bamboo, but the yellow leaves, remnant leaves, and some old leaves at the lower part of the plant should be pruned in time.

2. Overwatering

Lucky bamboo has fleshy roots and is most afraid of water accumulation and waterlogging. Therefore, it cannot be watered too much, otherwise root rot easily occurs, leading to yellowing leaves.

Remedy: Usually just water an appropriate amount. Do not water until the potting soil is dry; it is better to keep it on the dry side than too wet. Apart from summer, when the potting soil must be kept moist, watering in spring and autumn should not be too frequent. But the air must be kept moist; if the air is dry, adverse phenomena such as yellowing lucky bamboo leaves also easily occur.

3. Excessive sunlight

Lucky bamboo likes semi-shaded environments and avoids direct strong light in summer. Direct strong light easily causes scorched edges and even yellowing and withering of lucky bamboo leaves. Too strong light easily causes sunscald, while too weak light makes it difficult to bloom and fruit, affecting the ornamental effect.

Remedy: In spring, summer, and autumn, lucky bamboo should be shaded by more than 60%, and in winter by 40%.

4. Temperature too low

The suitable growth temperature is 15-18°C, and the lowest temperature must not be lower than 5°C, otherwise freezing damage easily occurs and causes yellowing leaves.

Remedy: In winter dormancy, lucky bamboo should be moved into a greenhouse, placed in a sunny place, and kept at a temperature above 10°C, and it can sprout new leaves again the following year.

5. Improper fertilization

Excessive fertilization is another common cause of yellowing lucky bamboo leaves, mainly because it causes fertilizer damage and harms the root system of lucky bamboo.

Remedy: During the growing season of lucky bamboo, apply liquid fertilizer once every 10-15 days, and stop fertilizing in winter.

6. Leaves too dirty

Usually pay attention to keeping the leaves clean and tidy. If too much dust accumulates on the leaves and affects photosynthesis, it will also cause yellowing lucky bamboo leaves.

Remedy: At regular intervals, wipe the leaves with a clean damp cloth to keep them clean.

Is lucky bamboo toxic?

The sap in the roots of lucky bamboo is toxic. The toxicity of the Anthurium section and the Dieffenbachia section in lucky bamboo is different. Lucky bamboo cannot be eaten. If it is accidentally eaten, about one hour later symptoms such as dizziness, headache, blurred vision, and vomiting will occur. In more serious cases, there will be numbness of the limbs, pale skin, and decreased blood pressure. If the above symptoms occur, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Although lucky bamboo is slightly toxic, as long as you do not come into contact with its sap, there is no problem at all. Moreover, it is also a plant of considerable value. If you place lucky bamboo in your home, it can absorb harmful gases such as formaldehyde and nicotine, giving you back a healthy living room. Placing lucky bamboo in the living room can also decorate your living room, make people feel refreshed, and the oxygen released is beneficial to the health of your family!