Size: 4 Lucky bamboo varieties | Pot included | 2 shoots in each pot
Lucky Bamboo Care
Lucky bamboo has a well-earned reputation as being nearly indestructible, which makes this plant ideal for novice gardeners or forgetful waterers. Lucky bamboo is easy to care for as long as you grow it in good quality water.
Place lucky bamboo near filtered or indirect sunlight.
Plant in well-draining potting mix, or use pebbles as a planting medium with an inch of water in the bottom of the container.
Water using only distilled or pure spring water, or let tap water sit out for 24 hours before using. For pebble plantings, change water weekly.
Avoid cold drafts and keep in a location with temperatures at a minimum of 65°F.
Light
When it comes to light, lucky bamboo prefers bright, filtered sunlight, such as what is found under a rainforest canopy. Avoid direct sunlight as it will scorch the leaves. They are more tolerant of too little light than too much. If the plant begins to stretch, however, or the green fades, provide more light. Rotate your plant often so that the light reaches the entire plant evenly.
Soil
Lucky bamboo can be grown in well-drained, rich potting soil. The soil should be kept moist, but not soaked. Additionally, it can thrive well when housed in pebbles or simply a vase filled with water, as long as it has at least an inch of standing water at all times.
Water
Lucky bamboo is very sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals commonly found in tap water.3 Tap water is fine to use unless you have hard water (containing a lot of minerals). Because of this, it's a good idea to water your lucky bamboo only with bottled or distilled water, or tap water that has been left out for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate.
If growing in a water vase filled with pebbles, change the water weekly to avoid any diseases and odors. Make sure that the water is always completely covering the roots. Add a bit of water every two to seven days as needed. Completely change the water every two to three months or more frequently if you find the water giving off a foul odor.
Temperature and Humidity
As you may expect, lucky bamboo plants prefer warmer temperatures, ranging between 65°F and 90°F. Avoid placing your plant anywhere near a draft (hot or cold), in front of an air conditioner, heating vent, or by a drafty window. Average humidity is fine for your lucky bamboo plant, so don't stress about increasing the levels in your home.
Fertilizer
A single drop of liquid fertilizer each month is plenty for most lucky bamboo arrangements. Alternatively, specialty lucky bamboo fertilizers are available.
Plants grown in water will only need to be fed every other month or so using a very weak liquid fertilizer. Healthy lucky bamboo roots are red, so don't be alarmed if you can see red roots floating in a glass vase.
The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Leticia Almeida
PESTS TO WATCH OUT FOR
In summer when the sun is coming in hot through the window, your lucky bamboo is more likely to struggle with spider mites. Watch out for delicate webbing on the leaves or between the leaves and stems. Spray it off with water and treat weekly with neem oil until they're gone.
Pruning
Lucky bamboo will benefit from occasional pruning. Over time, it may become top-heavy, or intricate shapes will begin to lose their form, so trimming helps maintain its appearance. In general, it's not a good idea to cut the main stalk of lucky bamboo. Instead, cut the offshoots using sterile snippers, and trim them back to within an inch or two of the main stem. New shoots will soon emerge, with fuller growth. To discourage new growth, dip the cut end in paraffin.
The unusual shapes of lucky bamboo plants are formed not by trimming, but by rotating the stalks in front of a light source, which causes the plant to naturally grow toward the light. Professionals often grow stalks on their sides to create spiraling shapes. But at home, try placing the plants under a three-sided box, pay close attention to their growth rates, and rotate the plants slowly and regularly.
