Lucky Bamboo
4.6 out of 5 (202 experiences)
Survivor
Fast grower
About Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo is a super popular houseplant 🌿 that is easy to grow and needs very little water to thrive. They do best in moderate sunlight 🌤 and should be less than 6 feet from a window.
Plant parents describe this plant as being a survivor and a fast grower with a whopping 5880 being grown with Greg around the world. Check out the reviews below for more details!🌟
Lucky Bamboo likes soil that is well draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.
⚠️ Lucky Bamboo is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Taxonomy
Dracaena braunii
Dracaena
Asparagaceae
Asparagales
How to care for Lucky Bamboo
Water
How often to water your Lucky Bamboo
every 12
Lucky Bamboo needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12
Light
Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
Select a city to check sunlight intensity
Finding light for Lucky Bamboo in your home
a window
Lucky Bamboo can tolerate being far from a window and light source.
Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Lucky Bamboo in your home 🏡.
Nutrients
How to fertilize Lucky Bamboo
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Lucky Bamboo after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
FAQs
Lucky Bamboo is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Water Needs
Lucky Bamboo thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Lucky Bamboo can tolerate being far from a window and light source. Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Lucky Bamboo is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Humidity
Lucky Bamboo prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Soil
Lucky Bamboo does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Lucky Bamboo grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
It’s common for Lucky Bamboo to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Native Region
Lucky Bamboo is native to Africa to Southern Asia and Australia.
Flowers
Yes, you may see your Lucky Bamboo bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
Growth Pattern
Lucky Bamboo grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Lucky Bamboo can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Lucky Bamboo can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Lucky Bamboo, since they are very sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 12 days
Placement
< 6ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Survivor 126
Fast grower 75
Easy to propagate 48
Large, lush leaves 35
Browns easily 21
Blooms easily 14
03/02/2022
This plant is over 15 years old. I’ve raised it wrong but it dosnt care, and survives almost everything
Survivor
02/01/2022
Seems to like pebbles rather than a lot of dirt. Can train it to grow in a variety of ways…twisted around branches, crooked branches, etc
Survivor
01/22/2022
Is in a pot with no drainage and a leaf is turning yellow. About to re-pot.
Fast grower
Survivor
01/21/2022
Eh still learning about this one but she’s been thriving for over a year now , does brown if not watered or too much sun
Fast grower
Survivor
Browns easily
01/17/2022
Easy to propagate and beautiful
01/14/2022
Such an easy plant to propagate.
Easy to propagate
Survivor
12/31/2021
It’s super easy to propagate😁🎍
Easy to propagate
Survivor
Fast grower
12/23/2021
this plant is the cutest to have near you when you have bad vibes
Easy to propagate
Survivor
Large, lush leaves
12/04/2021
i’ve had Charlie for over a year and I’ll admit I can’t keep a schedule so most of my plants die but Charlie has stayed happy n healthy this entire time so like go off king
Survivor
11/10/2021
Definitely makes the room look and feel like a jungle. All though the leaves aren’t super big, they are big enough
Large, lush leaves
11/04/2021
Keep the water fresh and clean and full and you’ll have a happy plant!
Survivor
10/31/2021
Super easy! Makes you feel like your effort is recognized & raising care of plants that have taken care of us is awesowe!
10/10/2021
Lucky bamboo that I planted in soil.
10/04/2021
Low maintenance. Just keeping the water in the right level and it will thrive for years.
10/02/2021
Great! One of the stalks died but the other two are still going for about a year now!
Survivor
Browns easily
09/27/2021
Low maintenance plant and brings a unique look to any place :)
Easy to propagate
Fast grower
09/25/2021
I actually grow this plant in water like flowers
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
09/23/2021
bamboo is my first plant, currently struggling because he was in a container only filled with rocks but I’ve moved him to a much bigger and more suitable vase and I hope to see him thrive!
Easy to propagate
09/17/2021
It brings luck a peace and it’s beautiful I recommend!
Large, lush leaves
Fast grower
Blooms easily
Easy to propagate
Survivor
09/05/2021
i accidentally planted them in succulent soil and they wilted so bad
Browns easily
Easy to propagate
