How to Care for Lucky Bamboo Plants

Lucky bamboo isn't bamboo at all; it's actually a popular houseplant named Dracaena sanderiana. Lucky bamboo is native to tropical west Africa, where it grows as a rain forest understory plant. Because lucky bamboo is used to being shaded from direct sunlight in the rain forest, it performs very well in the low light and artificial lighting conditions of homes and office buildings.

Things You'll Need

• Lucky bamboo
• Spring, filtered or purified water
• Liquid houseplant fertilizer

Instructions

1. Position your lucky bamboo plant in a location that receives plenty of bright, indirect light. This can include artificial lighting.

2. Change the water that your lucky bamboo is growing in every two to three weeks to prevent stagnation. Use spring, filtered or purified water for your plant. If you only have tap water, allow it to stand for 24 hours before use.

3. Fertilize the plant each time you replace its water. Add one drop of liquid houseplant fertilizer to the water to provide the plant with the nutrients it needs for vigorous growth.

Tips & Warnings

• Monitor the plant for infestations of spider mites. Rinse the lucky bamboo under running water to wash them away.

• Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can burn the leaves of a lucky bamboo plant.

References

• University of Arkansas: Lucky Bamboo
• University of Illinois: Lucky or Curly Bamboo

Resources

• Eastern Leaf: Lucky Bamboo Care