What’s lucky bamboo? (is it like normal bamboo? )
Lucky bamboo is a very resilient plant known for its bright green stalks and ability to grow in just water alone for long periods. It’s often braided or twisted into unique decorative shapes which make them popular gifts and housewarming presents.
However you should know that lucky bamboo isn’t actually real bamboo. Instead, it belongs to the Dracaena genus, most commonly Dracaena sanderiana or Dracaena braunii.
We should also warn pet owners that Lucky bamboo is toxic to both cats and dogs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and oral irritation. So it’s important to keep lucky bamboo plants out of reach from curious pets to avoid potential illness and discomfort.
What’s the difference between lucky bamboo and regular bamboo?
Unlike regular bamboo, lucky bamboo has much thicker, woody stems and glossy green leaves instead of traditional bamboo’s hollow shafts and longer, narrow gray-green leaves.
Lucky bamboo also grows at a vastly slower pace, averaging just around 2-6 inches of new growth per stalk annually with the proper care and conditions.
On the other hand, many species of bamboo are extremely fast growing and real bamboo also reaches much greater heights, commonly growing from 30-100 feet depending on the variety.
Real bamboo has many uses which range from furniture, construction and food. Whereas we use lucky bamboo for house decoration.
How fast does lucky bamboo grow?
Lucky bamboo can grow at a fast rate of around 16 inches in a mere 6 months. This will depend on good care.
You can help your lucky bamboo reach optimal growth by providing ample bright, indirect sunlight, room temperature purified or distilled water, and using a diluted liquid fertilizer during the active growing months of spring through summer.
Avoid over-fertilizing though, as too much can cause salt build ups that damage the roots.
How to care for a lucky bamboo plant
Lucky bamboo care is just like any other plant, we have followed the basic rules of looking after any plant and applied it to lucky bamboo and have seen great results.
Here are some of the care tips we recommend:
- Bright, indirect sunlight is essential for the best growth for lucky bamboo, a few hours of mild morning sun is beneficial. Lucky bamboo can still grow in shade but low light causes slower growth.
- Provide enough water (but don’t over water the plant)
- What to do when your lucky bamboo is turning yellow? remove the yellow leaves so new healthy leaves can replace it.
- Move the lucky bamboo to a new plant pot if the roots start to outgrow the original plant pot.
- Average household temperatures between 65-80°F are ideal for lucky bamboo plants to thrive. Anything below 50°F can damage the foliage, while prolonged heat over 90°F causes leaf yellowing or drop.
Caring for lucky bamboo grown in rocks
Growing lucky bamboo in rocks layered with water is a popular feng shui decorative technique.
Place the cut stalk bases in small, shallow stones or marbles with the roots fully submerged under room temperature water and the leaves sitting above water.
Change the water weekly and provide consistent bright, indirect sunlight to prevent bacterial growth in stagnant water.
Caring for lucky bamboo grown in soil
Lucky bamboo also does well planted directly in soil.
Use a well-draining potting mix and water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil becomes dry to the touch. Soil grown plants should receive the same bright, filtered sunlight.
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once every 4-6 weeks during the active growing months.
Problems you may face with lucky bamboo and troubleshooting tips
Lucky bamboo plants can run into problems without proper humidity, light, water, drainage or nutrition. Watch for these common troubles and improve the care of the plant accordingly:
Root rot
Root rot manifests as mushy, darkened roots and causes stunted or dying growth above soil as the roots struggle to take up moisture and nutrients. It’s most commonly caused by a lack of proper drainage.
Treat root rot by changing the water frequently or repotting immediately into fresh, well-draining soil. Cut off any blackened roots before replanting.
What to do when your lucky bamboo is turning yellow?
Brown lifeless leaf tips or yellowing leaves often indicate inconsistent watering. Too little moisture causes leaves to dry and brown out, while saturated soil leads to decline and yellowed foliage.
Make sure you’re not over or under watering the plant. Insufficient light can also cause yellow leaves.
Thin, sparse growth or small stalks
If your lucky bamboo has thin, wispy stalks and sparse leaves, it’s likely not getting enough light, consistent water, or proper nutrients. Under-watering leads to nutrient deficiency and stunted plants. Fix these issues for a healthier plant.
Final thoughts
With the proper care outlined above—ideal sun exposure, moderate temperatures, frequent water adjustments and appropriate container drainage or room temperature water for plants grown in decorative stones—lucky bamboo makes a resilient, simple to grow houseplant.