How to Take Care of Bamboo Good Luck Plants

Grow a good luck bamboo.

The bamboo good luck plant is most commonly known as the lucky bamboo. It is a Dracaena sanderiana, and is a member of the lily family rather than a true bamboo. It has become an increasingly popular houseplant and is given often as a gift. The plant is generally small in stature and is native to Africa and Southeast Asia. It grows equally well in water or soil, and requires very little specialized care.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Aquarium plant food
• Mister

Instructions

1. Place the good luck bamboo in a location that does not receive direct sunlight. Any other light conditions are tolerated well by the plant, although growth is best in bright indirect light. Choose a location where there is no direct current from an air conditioner or heater to prevent the plant from becoming too cold or hot.

2. Monitor the water level of the plant if growing in water only. Keep the level of the water at least halfway full, and remove all the water and replace it with fresh water weekly. Use filtered or distilled water, or allow water to sit uncovered for 24 hours to eliminate chemicals before using it on the plant.

3. Add enough water to dampen the soil well when it is dry 1 inch down. Do not soak the soil, and check for proper drainage weekly.

4. Feed the plant no more than every two months. Use either a plant food made for aquarium plants or regular fertilizer that has been diluted to 1/10th of the advised strength. If your plant is green and healthy, fertilization is not really necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Use water drained from a fish tank when cleaning it to water the good luck bamboo. The plant thrives on the bacteria and fish droppings in the water.

• If the leaves of the plant begin turning brown, spray them daily with water and be sure that the water you are using is free of chlorine and fluoride.

• Yellow leaves may be a sign of too much fertilizer or light. Be sure that the plant is not in direct sunlight and change the water completely. Do not feed for several months.

• Lucky bamboo is slightly toxic, so place it in an area where pets and small children cannot reach it.

References

• Fast Feng Shui: How to Care for Lucky Bamboo
• Indian Child: Bamboo Plants
• Plant Care: Lucky Bamboo
• Winnepeg Flowers: Lucky Bamboo History, Meaning and Care