Find Your Lucky Bamboo’s popularity has significantly grown over the past few years. It is being used as great gift items and part of Feng Shui. However, some don’t know where to begin when taking care of this plant, or what to do if they notice a change. So, we’ve compiled all of your most asked questions and listed them here as a how-to guide on lucky bamboo.
How do I take care of lucky bamboo?
Caring for your lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) can be an easy. You just need to find the right lighting, figure out a watering schedule, and your plant can pretty much take care of itself.
First off, what did your lucky bamboo come to you in, soil or water? It can grow in either. However, it doesn’t like to be switched around. For example, if you received it in water, leave it in water and add some rocks or pebbles if you like, but not necessary.
How To Water Lucky Bamboo
If your lucky bamboo is in only water, it should be kept clean and fresh. Keep your water level consistent; it’s a good idea to make a mark on where you like the water to be, which can be different for everyone. Once you have your water level, make sure you keep an eye on it. Whenever it reaches the halfway mark below your level, fill it back up. Every two weeks change the water with fresh, either distilled or tap water, whatever your plant is used to. Let your water sit out overnight in an open container before mixing it to your current water.
However, if your plant is in soil, the soil should always feel slightly damp. Test it with your finger; if it’s not damp, add a little bit more water.
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Best Lighting For Lucky Bamboo
Your lucky bamboo should be placed in an indoor location with bright, indirect light. They also do well under artificial lighting since too much sun can cause burning.
Remember that there are such things as too much and too little sunlight.
- If there is too much sun, it can cause your leaves to burn.
- If it gets too little sun, you will receive weak growth, stretching and poor coloring.
The solution for too much sun is changing out the water and not fertilizing for a couple of months. Move the plant into a bright area without direct sunlight. Too much sun can cause yellowish leaves and splitting, which can be fixed with trimming them off at an angle.
Now, if you’re bamboo is going through the opposite, you can move it into a brighter area to try to solve the problem, but not into direct sun.
Can I Replant Lucky Bamboo?
The answer is yes. Normally the Dracaena sanderiana family is seen in water, but if you want it in soil you can experiment with one of your stalks. It’s honestly best to leave it alone. However, if you must, here is how you can replant it.
What Type of Container To Use For Lucky Bamboo
Make sure your container has a 2” diameter greater than your bamboo stalks. Wash out the container thoroughly before placing the bamboo in it to kill any bacteria.
Can I use My Own Marbles? As far as beads and marbles go, you can use pretty much anything that does not dissolve to support your bamboo stalks. Just remember to wash them thoroughly.
How to replant Lucky Bamboo From Soil To Water
If you are wanting to take it from soil to water, place it in a container 2” greater than the stalks. Lucky bamboo likes to be crowded, so place them together and go with a container 2” from that size. Next place rocks or stones in the bottom, followed by the stalks and top it off with distilled water. Don’t forget to let the water sit uncovered overnight before using it with your plant.
How To Replant Lucky Bamboo from Water To Soil
Transfer the lucky bamboo from water to soil into a container with a 2” diameter or greater. Place stones in the bottom of the container for drainage. Fill the container with fast draining soil, make a whole with your finger and place the stalks in it and surround them by dirt. Keep the soil very most until the stalk can get used to being planted in soil.
Troubleshooting Lucky Bamboo Problems
Why is my lucky bamboo turning yellow, brown or is droopy?
It is a common problem with the lucky bamboo for the leaves or stalks turning yellow, brown or is slightly droopy.
Several things can cause this:
- It could have gotten too much light
- Over fertilized
- Fungus
- Changing location
- Caused by the container
Ask yourself questions like:
- Have I fertilized lately?
- Has it been moved it to a different location?
- Have I been watering properly?
- Is there a smell coming from the plant?
- Has my lucky bamboo traveled with me recently?
Over fertilizing and too much sun can cause the plant can cause it to turn yellow.
If caught early and you notice just a small amount of yellow, change the water (distilled water) and move to a place with a little less light.
If it is worse than that, but there is still green up top, just cut off the bottom and place it in a new container with fresh water. Also, stay away from fertilizing it for a while as well.
However, if you’re whole plant is yellow, it will continue to die and there is little you can do.
Notice how you are watering your bamboo. Again, maintain a constant water level and make sure your water sits out overnight before you mix it in with the plant. Too much fluoride, chlorine or salts can cause the leaves to yellow.
If you see insects or signs of fungus, that can be the cause of your yellowing plant. A brown, cottony substance is an indicator of spider mites or cottony scale problem. If this occurs, you will need to spray it with insecticide. However, if you notice that it’s still there after sprayed, you may need to wash the stalks and remove the infected stalks.
If you have smells coming from the water, plant or in the container, this can be the cause of a fungus or algae. Consider going with opaque containers since clear containers can cause algae with the light shining through them onto the water. Don’t forget to wash the container, rocks and stalks before putting them in as well.
Traveling can also put your lucky bamboo in shock, which can cause the yellowing of the plant, just give it a few days.
Root Problems With Lucky Bamboo
You can come in contact with several issues involving your lucky bamboo’s roots. Trimming, tangles, root rot, fungus and other issues can occur.
What do you do if your lucky bamboo’s roots have root rot? You will need to cut off the healthy tops and re-grow them. Whenever you are cutting, be sure to cut off an inch above one of the nodes, which are the raised ridges that grow around the stalk. Dip the cut ends into a rooting hormone, (which can be found at your local garden center) let dry and place them in water. Now, what if you notice that your lucky bamboo has acquired fungus on its roots? Well, you follow the same process as if your bamboo has root rot.
What if your roots are tangled? If you notice that your roots are tangled, it won’t hurt to trim them up a bit. You can also try untangling them yourself. Just run your fingers through the roots just like you would through hair to untangle it. If you want to cut them, cut as far as possible away from the stalk to ensure that it has plenty of root to sustain it. So, if you need to trim your roots for any reason, just trim from the end.
What if my lucky bamboo is too tall, how can I provide support?
The best way to provide support to your bamboo stalks is to start a new plant. These plants can be pretty flimsy, and the best way to stabilize it is to trim the top off the plant. Bamboo stalks will eventually grow to be too tall, therefore. You can trim it off and start a new plant. Just cut 1″ above the node and place it in water that has set overnight. You can use a rooting hormone found at a local garden center to encourage faster rooting.
How do I propagate my lucky bamboo?
The easiest way to do this is to cut 6” off the top of the plant, or an inch above the nod, which are the raised things that grow out of the stock to start a new one. Take the top that you cut off, dip it into rooting hormone and let it dry overnight. Then set the stalk in one or two inches of water and in a week or two you’ll have root. Continue to grow the plant the way you have been, in water or soil.
Lucky bamboo plants are great for any house. Just remember that it needs the right attention.
making the switch from water to soil for my lucky bamboo, will half peat moss half miracle gro cactus ,palm & citrus soil make a healthy soil for them?
your video’s are very helpful.
thank you.
Robin,
Sounds like an excellent mix. Let us know how it turns out!
Thanks,
Ed
Good morning,
I have a lucky bamboo that has a white coating on the base of the stalks above the gravel. What is this and how do I get rid of it? My leaves have turned a light green almost white and now are turning yellow. I have attached a picture. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Paige Minor
Paige,
If the white substance wipes off, it is probably a mineral deposit which won’t necessarily hurt the plant. The yellowing leaves are an environmental issue caused by either a water or light problem. Re-potting the plant should help with this. You might want to read our article Caring for Lucky Bamboo. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
I have attached pictures of my bamboo. I’ve had these for several years and never had an issue until early last week. Half (vertically) of one of the stalks is almost completely yellow and somewhat soft. The other is yellowing from the top and looks wrinkly.
I think I may have accidentally over-watered them. The third stalk is completely fine in appearance and feel. There are no strange smells.
Since realizing the problem, I have significantly reduced the water level. I keep them in water beads (the squishy kind, not glass)
Is there anything I can do to nurse them back to health, or have I reached the point of no return? They were a gift from a very good friend and I’d be so upset if they’re really dying :(
Amanda,
Cut the yellow parts off of the stem and the plant should be fine. This post will show you how https://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/we-are-not-always-lucky-with-lucky-bamboo/. Good Luck
When I purchased my bamboo they were in a sand rather then a soil or a water, they did fine until about a week or so ago when they started to look frail, they are still green but are starting to wrinkle and fade in colour, I removed them from the sand to put them into water instead when I noticed 75% of the roots are black, some still look healthy but most are black, not sure if they will affect the health of my plants or if I leave the roots and they will return to a brown colour, not sure what I should do.
Rikki,
I would need a picture to determine. Thanks!
Tanya
it only lets me attach one picture, but all of my stalks of bamboo look generally the same as this one, some not as badly affected some a little worse.
Thanks,
Rikki
Rikki,
Any stocks with the yellowing and black spots need to be removed form container and discarded. The ones that have heathy green tops can be used to start new plants by cutting off the heath part. Before you put the tops back into the container was it throughly first with soap and water.
So just cut the bottoms of the plants off or do I have to throw out all my stalks?
I have 3 stalks in one small container. My room has four windows so I know that the leaves have burned so what I did to one of the stalks is cut off the little branch looking thing with all the leaves and I peeled back all of the damaged leaves. I put the little cut piece in water but nothing seems to be happening. It’s just getting brown around the little lines on the stalk. My other stalks I believe have fungus. It’s just little brown spots that look like they’re dripping on the stalk. Is there a way to help without cutting it? They’re really not that long of stalks and cutting it I’m afraid won’t help it an dit won’t grow back.
Can I take the leaf off another bamboo and replant it to grow another?
hi ,Brown spots can be seen on bamboo shoots and The water is turbid.Please tell me how to be treatedَ!؟
Cyrstal,
No you need a part of the stalk to root another plant.
Rikki,
Get rid of anything that is dead or yellow.
Mary,
The water needs to be changed, but the plant may have an issue that can’t be corrected. Please send a pictures of the brown spots so I can see if this is a pathogen or something else.
Hi there – how can I upload photos to this comment section? I have a lucky bamboo that needs help!
Brett,
You can go here: https://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/ask-the-expert/ and you should be able to upload your picture.
Hi,
How many stalks of bamboo should I keep at home. My Bamboo Plant has grown with 41 stalks. Is that a right number . . .
Akshita,
It is really up to you on how many you would like to keep.
Hi. My bamboo plant has this white substance, looks kinda like blight. It is now turning yellow from the top going down. Is there any way to save it?… I have 8 stalks all together, almost all of which the tops are yellowing, and a couple of stalks as well.
Sarah,
You need to remove any infected part of the plant. Cut the yellow tops off making sure the cut occurs in the green part of the stalk. Wipe off the white substance with a wet rag and change the water.
Should I add sugar to the water after I cut off the yellow part of my stalk?
Concerned Bamboo,
You could try and see if that helps, but make sure to change the water often and clean the plant because it can get slimy. If you are cutting the stalk, make sure you are covering the new cut with wax.
She is dieing
She has been with me since i first started to green thumb and she is the last one left. I got rushed out of my apt and i put her i n the car. She was still green till i put freezing water on her it was freezing weather outside. Matching temps. The next day i took her into another house. She is dieing no longer green. Help
Jeanay,
Try cleaning out the vase, rinsing the roots, and replacing the water. Give it time for it to adjust.
Can I adjust the height of my lucky bamboo by cutting it from the bottom? I bought 8 pieces all the same height. They didn’t have any other lengths. I would like to have a tier affect but I don’t want to cut off the leaves from the top as I want to give it as a gift fairly quickly. I just want to know if this is possible, or if cutting the roots and stock off the bottom will kill the stock. Thanks! :)
Jacinda,
It would be better to cut it off from the top, but you can cut it from the bottom. If you cut it off at the top you can start new plants.
Yes I know. I just wanted to keep the top so all 8 lives have leaves when I give it as a gift. I didn’t want to wait a few months for leaves to grow. I just want to know if it would die cutting the length from the bottom.. Are the success rates low? Thanks :)
I am hoping to transfer my Lucky Bamboo from water to soil. I’m leaning towards a peat-based potting mix. Does anyone have any specific suggestions on media from their own experience? I also need to find a new pot (with drainage) because the current pot is leaking from all sides. Any suggestions on where I could find one?
Leroy,
About a month an a half ago, I propagated my lucky bamboo tree and I put the off shoots into water for rooting, At what age does my baby lucky bamboo plants have to be before I transfer them into a regular vase with rocks…and also I’m starting to notice the little dark brown spots on the bottom (fungus) on a few of them. what can I do to put keep that down to a minimum?
Your local garden center should have the right soil mix as well as a container. I prefer to place my lucky bamboo in a pretty ceramic container, but I have seen them in clay as well.
CUtting the roots off will not necessarily kill the plant, but the chances are 50/50.
Leroy,
As soon as the roots appear. Fungus occurs when the plant is infected with the spot of the fungus. Sanitation practices can help keep the spot population down. Make sure to keep your water and container clean. When you change the water be sure to use distilled water or if using tap water place water in open container for 24 hours before using in your lucky bamboo container.
I have been gifted with 3 bamboo plants , can I keep all three. If not what should I do with the remaining two.
I have some bamboo plants and two are really soft from the bottom. and still green at the top.
is there a way I can still save them before I kill them.
Zaida,
You can cut the bottoms off of the stalk and new roots will form. These articles should help https://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/we-are-not-always-lucky-with-lucky-bamboo/ and https://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/topping-lucky-bamboo/. Hope this information helps.
My lucky bamboo is planted in rocks. I’ve had it about 6 months & water it occasionally with distilled water. Today when I was watering it a spider came running out ! It was running from the water I guess ? The plant is very healthy , but I dont know how a spider got in there ? What should I do ? I don’t want more spiders trying to nest in there? Can I spray houseplant insect spray on the rocks ( around the roots? ) Spiders just creep me out!!!!
Karen,
Spiders normally don’t nest in lucky bamboo. You can try a houseplant spray but not sure if it will be effective in keeping spiders away.
Hi,
i have luckky bamboo with 16 stems can make two 8 stems separatly?
Hello! I have a bamboo plant that I’ve had for a little over a year. The largest stalk (which is at least 16 inches long) has a very large shoot. When I first got it it was maybe 6 inches above the stalk, now its gaining on being 3 feet above the stalk. The plant is very healthy, (which is kinda of my problem lol) it just keeps growing! Can I let it keep growing on its own or should I cut the shoot since its getting so tall?
Leah,
Both options are viable. Personally I would start a new plant.
Reavathi,
Not sure what you are asking can you elaborate?
hi ..i cut my lucky bamboo plant into two because the upper part was turning yellow. i had attached its pic with it. i kept the upper in water, hope it will grow new roots.
Reva,
You can email me the picture jadams@flowershopnetwork.com
My bamboo plant roots are growing up out of vace? Do I cut them do I cover them with water help would send picture but dont see option. Going to try the address in above comment
Connie,
You can either get a bigger vase or lightly trim the roots back. Hope this information helps.
I did put it in a bigger vace the roots are bright orange, with tons of roots. I have water to the top of vace as to cover all the roots . it is not doing so well now though
Connie,
If the roots smell, you might want to cut them off and let the plant grow new roots. If you do this make sure the water only covers about and 1 to 2 inches of the stalk. Make sure you wash the container with soapy water and rinse thoroughly before you place the lucky bamboo and fresh water in the container.