Lucky Bamboo Planting and Care Tutorial with Illustrations

Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is an easy-to-care-for houseplant that likes indirect sunlight. Lucky bamboo is not actually bamboo; it belongs to the Asparagaceae family and is a tropical plant originating from Africa, also known as Sander's dracaena. Lucky bamboo is believed to bring good luck to its owner. Follow the steps below to keep your lucky bamboo growing healthy and strong!

How to care for lucky bamboo is part of the lucky bamboo planting tutorial series, which also includes selection, promoting growth, and care. Follow this article from Juqiao.com on how to care for lucky bamboo, with illustrated lucky bamboo planting tutorial.

How to care for lucky bamboo

Use filtered or bottled water to prevent tip burn

Tip burn can cause the entire plant to die. It is usually caused by elements such as fluorine and chlorine in the water. Using tap water directly is not really workable; if you want your lucky bamboo to grow healthily, use bottled water instead.

Once tip burn occurs, it is very difficult to fix. Even if you change the water, some chemical elements remain trapped in the plant. You can only wait for them to slowly dissipate.

Pruning

Most plants will grow too densely at the top over time. So pruning is important for keeping the plant healthy. Do not cut the main stalk, only cut the side branches. Use dedicated pruning shears.

Prune within 2.5-5 cm from the bottom. New branches will grow afterward, and the lucky bamboo will grow healthier.

Pay attention to leaf color

The problem of dry leaves has been discussed above. Yellow leaves are caused by too much light or fertilizer. Brown leaves are caused by lack of water, and you need to spray it with some water.

If the leaves start to rot, there is no saving them. You should promptly cut off the still-healthy stems and change the water to replant them.

Prune heavily when necessary

If the lucky bamboo is about to die or you do not like its shape, you can prune it heavily. Do not throw away the healthy cuttings, because they can be grown into new plants. Move the new shoots growing from the bottom into a pot and they can become a new pot of lucky bamboo.

Cut off the dead parts before the lucky bamboo dies completely, and transplant the healthy stems. As long as you act in time, it can still regrow.

Materials you may need

Tall vase or flower pot

Stones

Water

Soil

Organic fertilizer (preferably a specialized one)

DIY tips

Places that sell lucky bamboo have specialized fertilizer. Add a few drops of fertilizer when changing the water to promote healthy growth of the lucky bamboo.

It is best to use spring water, rainwater, or filtered water. The fluorine and chlorine in tap water can cause leaves to turn yellow.

If algae grows in the vase, you only need to change the water. Algae grows because of light, and this is normal.

Precautions

Do not place lucky bamboo on a windowsill or in direct sunlight. Otherwise the leaves will turn yellow or even brown.

Keep away from children and pets; accidentally swallowing lucky bamboo leaves can cause poisoning.

Try not to keep lucky bamboo at temperatures below 10°C. Lucky bamboo is a tropical plant and needs a warm environment.