

















Lucky Bamboo

4.6 out of 5 (232 experiences)


About Lucky Bamboo
Did you know the genus name Dracaena comes from the Greek for āfemale dragonā? Some plants in this genus have thick, red resin which was reminiscent of dragon blood! š² Dracaenas are native to Africa, Asia, and northern Australia, and are known for being super easy to care for. Some species can go months without water, and many can grow well in low sunlight.
Taxonomy
Dracaena sanderiana
Dracaena
Asparagaceae
Asparagales
Also known as
Ribbon Dracaena, Chinese Water Bamboo and Ribbon Plant

How to care for Lucky Bamboo
How often to water your Lucky Bamboo

every 12
Lucky Bamboo needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesnāt 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
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 šŖ.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Lucky Bamboo in your home š”.
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 itās 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 yearāwhichever comes first.
-
yellowing #Dracaena my bamboo is yellowing, not sure how to approach potting it? i currently have it in water, should i be letting the roots dry out? does this plant need soil?
-
Should I put my bamboo in a pot with rocks and water (how I bought it )
-
Repotting glued Lucky Bamboo Kendall is getting yellow leaves and is definitely outgrowing her digs. The glazed ceramic pot is about 4ā wide at bottom and tapers to 2ā wide at the top, and is 4ā tall. Pretty sure Iāll have to break her out with a hammer. Hopefully I can get the glue off her too.. What size/kind of pot should I put her in and what medium of soil/pebbles, etc? #luckybamboo #halp #poorbaby
-
Do I CHANGE the water? I recently picked up this lucky bamboo, growing in water. When I keep props in water, I change it out- does the same apply for this bamboo? No plans to plant in dirt yet, if that makes a difference.
-
Got this plant from a friend itās been a few weeks donāt know why the leaves are still brown #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #LuckyBamboo
-
Yellow leaves on my lucky bamboo I got this bamboo plant from Aldi and the leaves have been turning yellow. Itās in rocks instead of soil. What can I do to help it? #Dracaena
-
Lucky me! My lucky bamboo is one lilā shit I have thriving. Go Emerson! #Dracaena
-
Advice Just got this cutie from Walgreens, came in a small pot with rocks, what advice would you have to make sure I can upgrade and take care of my lucky bamboo! Theyre next to their venus fly trap brother :) #luckybamboo #Dracaena #newplant
-
Can anyone tell me how to pot this? #Dracaena
-
Lucky Bamboo Care Google research is conflicting, this tag is conflicting with google too.. whatās actually the best bet for this plant? Also, itās in a pebble type topsoil, with soil underneath. The pebbles seem to be glued together? Anyways, It was on the discount shelf with some browned leaves. I want to make sure it stays happy & healthy ššæšš¤ #HappyPlants #LuckyBamboo #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #PlantTherapy #help #GregGang #OKGregGang
Lucky Bamboo is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
š¦ 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.
āļø 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 šŖ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home š”.
š¶ š š¶ 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.
Lucky Bamboo Toxicity to Cats →
šØ Humidity
Lucky Bamboo enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.
šŖ“ Soil
Lucky Bamboo is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesnāt retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!
š© Fertilizer
Lucky Bamboo grows very slowly and doesnāt require added fertilizer. Replacing your plantās potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
āļø Dormancy
Itās 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.
š Native Region
Lucky Bamboo is native to Africa to Southern Asia and Australia.
šø Flowers
Yes, you may see your Lucky Bamboo bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
ā¬ļø ā¬ļø Growth Pattern
Lucky Bamboo is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.
š¦ļø Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Lucky Bamboo can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
š± 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 ~2ā long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
š Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves arenāt always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plantās life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, itās 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!
š§ Troubleshooting
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Care Summary for Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 6ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4ā pot your plant is in, and that it doesnāt get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say












I love my lucky bamboo plant, I chose to grow mine in water and every now and then just need to add nutrients or plant food and it just keeps growing. Very easy to take care of and does not need a lot of light. Water should be changed weekly or before you add another dose of food







I have had my fair share of plants and this one is the easiest. I keep my bamboo in water because itās easier than keeping than keeping the soil wet but if you like soil and that is easier than go head. I change the water every two weeks, and I keep it behind my Monitor just so it can have some shade, but every once in a while I put it back by my window and let it have some sun like for some hours.









Lucky bamboo is a great plant. Theyāre super cool and can get pretty big. My favorite thing about them is you canāt over water them. In fact, my lucky bamboo plants just sit in a pot of water. However, if you donāt give them enough they will brown pretty easily. They also donāt need a special kind of soil. Mine are planted in some garden rocks, or they can just be in a vase of water. Overall these plants are great!


