Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) Care: What to Know

Hello, and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in The Great Indoors! If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below.

Today, I have a plant care video for you on Lucky Bamboo, also known botanically as Dracaena sanderiana. This is Lucky Bamboo, a really cool plant with twisted trunks that is commonly grown in water. Although you can grow it in soil, I will focus on how to keep this plant healthy and happy in your indoor garden.

In its native habitat, Lucky Bamboo can reach up to five feet tall with an equal spread, but indoors, it is more likely to grow only about two or three feet tall. It has slim, upright stems with distinct nodes and a striping pattern that gives it a bamboo-like appearance, which is where it gets its name. The plant is also called “lucky” because, according to tradition, growing an odd number of these plants in your indoor garden will bring you good luck. So, when you get Lucky Bamboo, make sure to get an odd number—three, five, seven, nine, or even just one—to ensure it remains lucky.

The leaves of Lucky Bamboo are strap-like, pointed, and can eventually reach five to seven inches long, although the plant grows slowly. The foliage is green, with some varieties exhibiting variegated stripes of white or yellow. Outdoors, the plant may produce small white flowers, but it rarely blooms indoors. As you can see, this particular Lucky Bamboo has been trained to grow in a spiral form. These plants can also be trained to be braided or shaped into loops and even hearts, making them a striking addition to any indoor garden.

Lucky Bamboo is usually grown in water, and as you can see, this one is placed in water with colored glass and marbles, which not only add visual appeal but also match the color scheme in my office.

Lighting: Lucky Bamboo thrives in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the foliage. Medium to bright indirect light is ideal, and Full Spectrum Lighting works well too. If the plant doesn’t receive enough light, its leaves may become more green, indicating it isn’t happy. On the other hand, if it receives too much light, the leaves can become washed out.

Watering: If you’re growing Lucky Bamboo in water, make sure the roots are submerged at all times and change the water every week to two weeks. This prevents toxins from building up in the water, which can harm the plant. Tap water can be used, but over time, the plant may develop brown leaf tips due to chlorine and fluoride in the water. If your tap water isn’t heavily chlorinated, you can alternate between tap water and reverse osmosis (RO) or filtered water. Well water can also be suitable. If the plant develops a lot of brown leaf tips, it may be a sign that the water has too many harmful minerals. When setting up the container, use a substrate like marbles, glass, or gravel to give the roots a place to secure themselves.

Humidity: Lucky Bamboo enjoys humidity levels of around 50% or higher, which is typically maintained when the plant is grown in water, as the water evaporates and humidifies the surrounding area.

Temperature: This plant does best in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops below 65 degrees, growth will slow down. If it exceeds 80 degrees, ensure that the water level is maintained and changed weekly to prevent stagnation.

Repotting: Traditional repotting isn’t necessary for Lucky Bamboo, but if the plant develops a lot of roots, you may need to move it to a larger container to give the roots room to grow comfortably. A crowded root system can cause the water to run out quickly, which can harm the plant.

Fertilizing: Lucky Bamboo usually doesn’t require fertilization if you’re using tap or well water, as these water sources provide some nutrients. However, if you’re using distilled or reverse osmosis water, which lack nutrients, you may need to feed the plant with a diluted organic liquid fertilizer at one-quarter the recommended strength. If the leaves start to yellow and you’ve ruled out other problems, consider adding a little fertilizer, even if you’re using tap or well water.

Pests and Diseases: Occasionally, Lucky Bamboo may attract mealybugs, which like to hide where the leaves are forming. If you notice mealybugs, spray the plant with 70% to 91% isopropyl alcohol, and rinse it off regularly. Continue this treatment a couple of times a week at first, then weekly for a few weeks, to get the pests under control.

Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave any comments about indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video. Don’t forget to click the bell if you’d like to be notified when new videos are released.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lucky Bamboo Care

What is Lucky Bamboo, and how is it typically grown?

Lucky Bamboo, botanically known as Dracaena sanderiana, is a popular indoor plant often grown in water. It features twisted trunks, slim upright stems, and a bamboo-like appearance. While it can be grown in soil, it is most commonly cultivated in water.

How tall can Lucky Bamboo grow indoors?

Indoors, Lucky Bamboo typically reaches a height of about two to three feet, although in its native habitat, it can grow up to five feet tall.

Why is it called “Lucky” Bamboo?

The plant is considered “lucky” because, according to tradition, growing an odd number of these plants in your indoor garden is believed to bring good luck. Ensure you have an odd number like three, five, seven, or nine for the best results.

What type of lighting does Lucky Bamboo need?

Lucky Bamboo thrives in medium to bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight as it can scorch the foliage. Full Spectrum Lighting is also suitable for this plant.

How should I water Lucky Bamboo?

If growing in water, ensure that the roots are submerged at all times. Change the water every one to two weeks to prevent toxin buildup. If using tap water, be aware that chlorine and fluoride can cause brown leaf tips over time. Alternating between tap water and filtered water can help mitigate this.

What is the ideal humidity level for Lucky Bamboo?

Lucky Bamboo prefers humidity levels of around 50% or higher. When grown in water, the evaporating water helps maintain the necessary humidity levels.

What temperature range is best for Lucky Bamboo?

Lucky Bamboo thrives in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Growth may slow down if temperatures drop below 65 degrees. If temperatures exceed 80 degrees, ensure the water level is maintained and changed regularly.

Does Lucky Bamboo need to be repotted?

Traditional repotting isn’t necessary, but if the plant develops a lot of roots, you may need to move it to a larger container to allow room for root growth. A crowded root system can cause the water to deplete quickly.

Does Lucky Bamboo require fertilization?

If you’re using tap or well water, fertilization is usually unnecessary as these water sources provide some nutrients. However, if you’re using distilled or reverse osmosis water, feed the plant with a diluted organic liquid fertilizer at one-quarter strength.

How do I deal with pests on Lucky Bamboo?

Lucky Bamboo can sometimes attract mealybugs, which hide where the leaves form. Spray the plant with 70% to 91% isopropyl alcohol and rinse it regularly to control these pests.

Patreon:   / healthyhouseplants  

One-time donation: https://ko-fi.com/healthyhouseplants

Sign up for my monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/g1PCSH 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may earn commissions for purchases made through the links below.

Espoma organic houseplant food: https://amzn.to/40U51xe

Full-spectrum Light Bulb-Large: https://amzn.to/3yR6VBu