Lucky Bamboo

Dracaena sanderiana,Lucky Bamboo, Ribbon Dracaena

Despite its common name, Lucky Bamboo is not a true bamboo but a species of Dracaena native to Central Africa. It is characterized by its segmented, bright green stems, often twisted or arranged into artistic shapes, and topped with thin, sword-like leaves. It is widely popularized in Feng Shui as a symbol of good fortune. While it can be grown in soil, it is most commonly sold and maintained hydroponically in water. It rarely flowers indoors. Popular cultivated forms are shaped into spirals, braids, or tiered towers.

Care Guide

LIGHT

  • Prefers medium to bright, indirect light.
  • It can tolerate lower light, but growth will slow, and stem segments will stretch.
  • Avoid direct, intense sunlight, which can easily scorch the leaves and turn the stems yellow.

WATER

  • If grown in water (hydroponically): The water must be changed completely every 1-2 weeks to prevent bacterial buildup. Use distilled, filtered, or reverse osmosis (RO) water as it is highly sensitive to chlorine and fluoride in tap water. Keep the roots submerged.
  • If grown in soil: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Allow the top inch to dry out before rewatering.

SOIL

  • If grown in water: The "soil" is often just pebbles or marbles used for support.
  • If grown in soil: Needs a well-draining, rich potting mix containing perlite.

GROWTH HABIT

  • Ideal conditions: Consistent warmth (65-80F) and stable, indirect light.
  • Growth rate & size: Growth rate is moderate. It grows as an upright cane, usually 1 to 3 feet tall indoors. The stem shape (straight, spiral, etc.) is permanent once formed.

PROPAGATING

  • Propagated by stem cuttings.
  • Cut the stem segment just above a node, allow the cut end to dry and callous for a few days, and then place the cutting in fresh water or moist soil.
  • The original "mother cane" will sprout new growth below the cut.

PRUNING

  • Prune to maintain shape or to remove excess foliage. Cut off any yellow or dead leaves at the base.
  • If a stem turns soft and yellow, cut it off immediately to prevent rot from spreading.

REPOTTING

  • If grown in water: Clean and refresh the container and pebbles every 6-12 months.
  • If grown in soil: Repot when root-bound, usually every 2-3 years, in the spring. Use a heavy pot to prevent tipping.

FERTILIZING

  • If grown in water: Fertilize very sparingly (once every 1-2 months) with a highly diluted liquid fertilizer (1/10 strength).
  • If grown in soil: Feed lightly during the spring and summer (every 6 weeks).

FLOWERING

  • Produces small, white, inconspicuous flowers that are rarely seen indoors.
  • Flowering usually indicates a highly mature plant under rare, specific conditions.

TOXICITY

  • Toxic to cats and dogs. Like other Dracaena species, it contains saponins that can cause vomiting, weakness, and incoordination if ingested.

PRO TIPS

  • Yellowing stems are usually caused by tap water chemicals, over-fertilizing, or too much direct sunlight.
  • The stem segments will not grow taller once cut; new growth only comes from the shoots at the nodes.
  • Remove any plastic tie or wire as soon as the plant's shape is stable to prevent constricting the stem.

Variability in Care

Most varieties of this plant follow the standard care above, but some require adjustments.

Spiral/Shaped Forms

Examples: Stems trained into curls, braids, or tiers.

  • The shaped portion is permanent and will not change. New growth will be straight.
  • Require a stable, heavy base (pebbles or soil) to prevent tipping.
  • The stems are more prone to rot at the joints and need clean, pure water.

Variegated Cultivars

Examples: Dracaena sanderiana 'White Stripe' or 'Silver'

  • Have white or silver edges on the leaves.
  • Require the brightest indirect light to maintain their variegation, but are more susceptible to scorching.

Growing in Soil

  • Plants transitioned to soil require less frequent watering than those in water, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings.
  • Plants in soil can grow taller and more vigorously than those kept exclusively in water.

Plants for Sale

  • None available. Check back later!