Indoor Plant Guide For Lucky Bamboo

How To Grow Lucky Bamboo

Getting Lucky Bamboo to grow well is generally easy when you get a few of the basics right. This involves planting them in the right media, choosing the most ideal position for them, and ensuring the plants have the essentials to thrive. The Plant Company has the right advice to ensure success when you are growing a Lucky Bamboo.

Can Lucky Bamboo Plants Be Watered With Saltwater?

Lucky Bamboo plants cannot be watered with saltwater. They are freshwater plants and saltwater will be harmful to them as the saltwater makes it difficult for the plant to absorb water effectively, leading to dehydration. Using saltwater on your lucky bamboo will likely cause the leaves to turn brown, wilt, and eventually die.

How Should I Fertilise My Lucky Bamboo Plant?

When Lucky Bamboo plants are grown in water, it is always tricky to determine how much liquid fertiliser to add to the water. The Plant Company has seen disastrous results when too much has been added to the water. A much safer way to fertilise such plants is to mist them with a mixture already made up to the label instructions. You only need to do this once a week, but you can mist them everyday if you like. If you still prefer to add the liquid fertiliser to the water, we recommend measuring the amount of water you are growing the plants in with a jug, and then adding 1/3 of the label instructions for the feed.

If you are growing the plant in growing media, check that it has indoor plant fertiliser prills still on the soil surface. If not, add a teaspoon more. These release a tiny bit of fertiliser every time you water the plant and are a safe way to feed indoor plants. You can also mist them with liquid fertiliser as just discussed.

How To Propagate Lucky Bamboo Plants

Lucky Bamboo can be propagated by placing cut stems into water with pebbles to support the plant. A more successful method is to take stems at least 60 mm long with a bud (i.e., a slight swelling on the stem), dip the end in rooting hormone, then place in pumice. The Plant Company uses both bottom heat and occasional misting while the cutting roots. Rooting usually occurs within two weeks.

What Kind Of Soil Is Best For Lucky Bamboo?

Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) isn't actually a bamboo and thrives in different conditions than its namesake. While lucky bamboo is traditionally grown in water, it can also be cultivated in soil. If you're choosing to grow it in soil, be sure that it is free draining as in sodden soils it will likely rot. Therefore, choose a potting mix that drains quickly. A commercial potting mix with large amounts of air voids, good levels of fertility, and a slightly acidic pH is ideal for lucky bamboo.

Where Does Lucky Bamboo Grow Best?

Lucky Bamboo thrives in fresh water or well-draining soil and prefers indirect sunlight. The Plant Company recommends the water is changed every week if grown in water to prevent algae build up and to stop it going stagnant. It must also be grown in warm conditions, so avoid placing it in cold rooms or in areas with drafts.

When grown in water, the plants should be misted with a foliar fertiliser once a week. If they are grown in a pot, ensure the plants have indoor plant fertiliser still visible on the surface of the media.

Where Should Lucky Bamboo Be Placed Indoors?

Lucky Bamboo placement indoors depends on whether the priority is plant care or Feng Shui. For plant care, it prefers bright, indirect sunlight. If the light is too bright, leaf scorching can occur while if it is too shaded, the plants will become stretched. Usually they are grown in a lounge, kitchen, bedroom, or an office where light levels are good and the rooms are warm.

In Feng Shui, Lucky Bamboo is believed to bring good luck and positive energy depending on its location. Some popular placements include the south-east corner for attracting wealth and prosperity. Growing it in the entryway brings good luck and positive energy when entering the home. Placing it on a desk or workspace helps with career growth and focus. Having it in the bedroom helps to foster relationship harmony. In the living room it enhances the overall well-being and creates positive energy.

Lucky Bamboo Information

This series of articles answers many of the frequently asked questions about Lucky Bamboo, such as how to grown them, what do they symbolise, and more!

About Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) originates from Southeast Asia. There it symbolises good luck and prosperity. The more stalks that are carried, the more positive energy the plant is believed to provide. Lucky bamboo is a versatile plant that can be grown in a variety of ways. It can be displayed in a simple vase with water, planted in a pot with growing media, or trained into different shapes like spirals or hearts.

• It can grow anywhere from 30 cm to 1.5 m tall and 60 cm wide when grown indoors. However, it is often trimmed and shaped to smaller sizes.
• It has the common names: Friendship Bamboo, Chinese Water Bamboo, Lucky Ribbon Plant, Water Bambo.
• Please note: Lucky Bamboo is mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

How Long Does Lucky Bamboo Live?

The lifespan of your Lucky Bamboo depends on how you grow it. When grown in water it typically lives for around one to two years but this can be extended with regular feeding with foliar fertilisers. Lucky bamboo can live for several years or even longer if grown in well-draining soil and given proper care. This is because the soil provides essential nutrients and air to grow a robust root system.

Is Lucky Bamboo Toxic To Pets?

Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is considered mildly toxic to both cats and dogs if ingested. All parts of the plant, including the leaves and stalks, contain saponins which can irritate the mouth, stomach, and intestines of pets. Call a vet immediately if your pet has ingested any of the plant material.

What Is The Significance Of Lucky Bamboo?

Lucky bamboo plants hold significance for both what it symbolises and how many stalks a plant has.

Symbolism: Lucky bamboo is associated with positive energy and good fortune: - Due to its evergreen nature, it is seen as a symbol of long life and enduring good health. - Lucky bamboo's upright growth pattern represents growth in various aspects of life, like wealth or career prospects. - The calming green colour and simple form of lucky bamboo promotes feelings of peace and brings tranquillity to a space.

Number of Stalks Importance: - The number of stalks in a lucky bamboo arrangement is believed to influence the specific type of good luck it brings: - One stalk represents new beginnings, strong foundation, or commitment. - Two stalks signify love, partnership, or harmony in relationships. - Three stalks represent Fu (happiness), Lu (wealth), and Shou (longevity) - a popular combination for overall well-being. - Five stalks represent balance, good health, and positive energy flow in all aspects of life. - Six stalks signify good luck and wealth. - Seven stalks represent good health and well-being. - Eight Stalks represent growth and abundance. - Nine Stalks represent ultimate good luck and prosperity. - Ten Stalks shows completeness and perfection.

These meanings are based on tradition and cultural beliefs. Therefore, choose the number of stalks that resonates most with you or that best suits the occasion if you're giving Lucky Bamboo as a gift.

Lucky Bamboo Plant Care

Caring for Lucky Bamboo is about making sure the plants are thriving. Our plant care articles provide the necessary details to give you the greatest chance of success. Afterall, there is nothing worse than putting the effort into them and they fail. Therefore, follow our advice and give yourself the best chance of success!

How To Care For Lucky Bamboo

There are a few elements to caring for Lucky Bamboo.

1. Place the plant in low or medium indirect light. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves.

2. The stems are typically either grown in water or in pots with growing media. When grown in water, you’ll need to ensure the water is free of chlorine and fluoride. If these chemicals are present, the leaves and stems will start to brown. You can boil the water ahead of using it so these chemicals evaporate away. The other option is to use rain water. Make sure the water is changed every week to avoid algae buildup and the water going stagnant.

3. If your lucky bamboo is planted in soil, keep it slightly moist and ensure the growing media is well-drained.

4. The Plant Company recommends misting leaves with a diluted foliar fertiliser once a week to keep the plants lush and healthy.

5. Keep the plants in a warm place and away from cold drafts.

How To Fix Yellow Lucky Bamboo?

There are a few reasons why your Lucky Bamboo might be turning yellow:

• Lucky bamboo prefers bright, indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while not enough light can cause them to turn yellow and fall. Try moving your plant to a spot where it receives indirect light for most of the day.
• Improper watering is a common cause of yellowing leaves. Overwatering can rot the roots, while underwatering can cause the leaves to wilt and turn yellow. Lucky bamboo grown in water should have its water changed every week or two, and the water level should be just below the base of the stalks. If your plant is in soil, water it when the soil feels dry.
• Too much fertilizer can damage the roots and cause the leaves to yellow. Be sure to use a diluted fertiliser solution and only feed the plant once a month or so.
• Inspect your plant for signs of pests or diseases, such as aphids, scale insects, or mealybugs. These can damage the leaves and cause them to turn yellow.