Yellowing Leaves on My 5-Year-Old Lucky Bamboo Plant

A lucky bamboo with a paper lantern is a decoration that is thought to bring good luck.

The longevity of the lucky bamboo -- Dracaena sanderana -- is just one of the reasons the plant is thought to bring good fortune and lengthy life to those in its presence.

Natural Aging

Although the lucky bamboo possesses a considerable lifespan -- stretching five years or more -- like all houseplants, it will eventually begin to age and show signs of death. The gradual yellowing of the leaves of a lucky bamboo that has thrived for several years may be a natural sign that the small tree is beginning the end stage of its life.

Chemicals

An improper water source may cause yellow spots to begin appearing about the plant. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service notes that chemicals contained in municipal water supplies, primarily chlorine and fluoride, can damage the leaves of the lucky bamboo and cause yellow spotting.

Pests

Spider mites enjoy munching on the underside of a lucky bamboo leaf while sucking away its juices, which will produce a yellowing of the plant. The pests can be controlled by regular washing of the leaves. A five-year-old lucky bamboo may be particularly susceptible to excessive sunlight and improper fertilization. Only organic, liquid fertilizers should be utilized.

References

• University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension: Lucky Bamboo
• University of California Integrated Pest Management Program: Spider Mites
• Organic Gardening: Growing Lucky Bamboo