Lucky Bamboo Plant Profile: How to Prune When It Grows Too Tall and Too Large

Lucky bamboo, also known as the ribbon plant, has become a fixture in homes and offices due to its minimal care requirements and low-light needs. This evergreen grows slowly and can reach up to 6 feet, though indoor plants are usually about 2 to 3 feet. It can be grown outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 to 12. Indoors, the plant needs indirect light and weekly watering. Pruning the plant will make it smaller and produce a tidier appearance.

What should you do when lucky bamboo grows too tall? This is when you need to start pruning your lucky bamboo. You can prune at any time of year, but it is best to do so in spring and summer.
Lucky bamboo pruning methods:
1. Check the roots when you re-pot your lucky bamboo or change the water and clean the plant. Remove any roots that look dry, mushy or shriveled. Use pruning shears to trim the roots at the base of the plant.
2. Cut back long, spindly stems that look unsightly or are taller than you want. Use pruning shears to cut to the desired height, making the cut just above a node on the stalk. New growth will sprout from below the cut.
3. Collect stem cuttings for propagation by cutting 4-6 inch sections of stalk. Place the cuttings in a small bowl filled with rocks and water or moist peat moss until roots form.