Find Your Gary asks:
We have a 3 stalk Lucy Banboo plant and it was doing well but in the last two weeks we have ovserved that the biggest and tallest one has start to trun yellow. The leaves are all green and healthly looking. We live outside of Bethlehem PA. The temperature is about 60 degrees. The plant gets indirect day light but it is not in a window.We use only spring water and we water it twice a month.
Is this condition something that I should be worry about.
Jamie’s Reply: Although you use spring water, it may still be heavy in salts. Too much floride, chlorine, or salts can cause the leaves to yellow. Try using distilled water. I would not worry if only one or two leaves at the bottom are turning yellow. Flower Shop Network has an informative newsletter called Caring for Lucky Bamboo. Hope this helps.
Gary responds:
Thank you for getting back to me but the leaves are not the part that is turning yellow but 1 out of tree stalks are turning yellow.
I printed out the newsletter and will read through it. Should I be worried about the stalk turning yellow?
Jamie’s Reply: I am a little concerned. You may have some type of pathogen — insect or fungal. Check for scale or spider mites both are insects. Scale will be a cottony substance or a shell like attachment on the stem or at the base of the leaves. You will need a magnifying glass to see the spider mites — they will be actively crawling around. As for fungal, check for soft tissue any where on the stem especially at the water line. One other thing have you fertilized your lucky bamboo? I will research a little further to see if I can come up with any other possibilities.
Gary Responds:
Thank you for getting back to me.
I will get a magnifying glass and check for spider mites and fungal. No we have not fertilized the luck bamboo but we will. Can you please let us know what and how we should do this.
Jamie’s Reply : Use any standard house plant food at about one-tenth the recommended dilution rate each time you change the water. Make sure you are using a water soluble fertilizer.
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Hi
i’m so worried about mu lucky bamboos!
I have two of them for about one year i keep them in my room at the window with indirect light i change the water each week and the water is mineral one. i give them lucky bamboo food too and i care for them alot but i’ve noticed that the tallest one’s leaves at the top are pale and nearly yellow and the lowest leaves are like burning but at the ends ,becoming dry! but they look green . dark green.i changed the vase place a little far from the window but nothing happened, would you please help me?
best regards
The plants maybe getting too much fertilizer. Lucky bamboo doesn’t require a lot of fertilizer. So, don’t give it any more food for the next couple of months. As for the mineral water, I’m not sure what it has in it and this may also be part of the problem. I recommend distilled water instead of mineral water.
thank you Jamie
I just bought my five stalks of bamboo from IKEA the other day with rocks and vase. I have two curly stalks and three straight. There were two straight stalks inside the two curly and they both started turning yellow. I reorganized them and waited, changed water, used spring water, rinsed rocks and cleaned up and put them back in the same spot. They may have gotten more light than I realize they needed, but now, three are still good. THe ones that went yellow are now completely yellow. Should I throw them away? Can they be saved or is a completely yellow stalk lost?
Thank you so much!
You will need to throw the yellow away. Once they are completely yellow, they won’t be healthy again. The stalks were probably damaged before you got them. Just keep a close watch on the others ones. Good luck
What’s up with all the fertilizer advice…. i have my bamboo for 5 years and doing beautifull without it.
The water is tap.
i noticed a few leaves were turning yellow and in general was droopy…. i decided to remove it from the pot and what was missing was W A T E R !!! the roots were dry! never happened before.
the significant question i’d like to ask is will the ridges on the stalks come back healthy?
Thank you for your prompt attention.
Hi Jamie
I got a lucky bamboo as a gift last month. It was in a glass container and doing well till last week. We had a few days rain and no sunlight at all. Then I noticed the stock getting pale and yellow. I checked the container and it was placed on a blob of moss and surrounded with pebbles. Is moss good for the bamboo. I have read your posts above and will clean out the container. Do i put the moss back in? How do I save the plant? Thanks
It depends. I don’t like the moss in the water because it can create an undesirable water habitat. However moss that covers just the opening, is usually ok. You will often see this with certain lucky bamboo containers where the stem are in water but the pebbles and moss are not.
ok i have some lucky bamboo and it has recintly started turning yellow the whole stalk (i have 3 stalks) i moved that stalk out and it died fixed it but now another stalk is turning yellow and will probly die soon i realy dont want ot lose it all what do i do? and just so you know i dont have it anywhere near direct sunilght i only water with bottled waters and i have never fertlised it so i dont understand why the stalks are dieing (switched to bottled water after the first week when some leaves stated dieing and that stoped the leaves from dieing and it was doing great up until a few weeks ago does it have something to do with winter comeing on?) also is it ok to use fishtank water to water the bamboo? and should i replant the bamboo into a new pot?
First if the stalk is turning yellow and still firm, you can propagate a new stalk from the green part. I recommend doing this since the yellowing is not reversible and usually results in further deterioration of the stalk. Second you can use a small amount of fish tank water. As far as re-potting goes, it is necessary. However, you need to clean the container that the lucky bamboo is in. Remove the the lucky bamboo and wash the container with hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Then refill with water and lucky bamboo (wipe the lucky bamboo with a wet cloth before placing in container.)
I recieved a LB last November as a gift, it was growing like crazy until I replanted it and moved it to a shall we say an area with more sun (east sun). The leaves have started to turn yellow. I have moved it back to where it was when it was doing very well. Do I cut these yellow leaves off or leave them a hope for the best?
Yes you can cut the yellow leaves off. They will not turn back to green.
Amanda,
Without seeing the jelly-like substance, I assume it is a product used to help retain water. You can remove it from the container. As for the reddish roots they could be getting a fungus. I would wash the container and pebbles with warm soapy water and wipe the stalks and roots off with a soapy rag then rinse the container and pebbles thoroughly and wipe the stalks and roots with a soap free rag. Then refill the container with distilled water.
Hi,
One of my stalks has two growths of leaves. One looks great and the other (set of leaves) has begun to turn yellow one by one from the bottom up. I pulled the yellow leaves off and there is a lot of red “growth” underneath. They look a little like little worms. The rest of the stalk seems very healthy and some time ago it began to grow another stalk from near the bottom. I keep it in a glass with rocks and water. I have recently moved and light and water might be different. I have always used tap water and not had a problem till now. Two years ago I added some red rocks I found in CO and noticed the roots turned redish/orangish but like I said the plant has seemed healthy up until this month.
Thanks for any advice!
Attached Image: bamboo1.jpg
Colleen,
Is it possible to send us a closer or clearer picture of the red growth on your lucky bamboo? This will help us diagnose your problem… Also, before you added the red rocks, did you thoroughly clean them? They could possibly a problem to your bamboo.
my camera won’t take a closer picture without becoming completely blurry. I can’t remember if I cleaned the rocks because it was two years ago that I added them. I can’t imagine that I did more than rinse them, maybe used a little soap. Could it take that long for a problem to develop? Is there any more I can say to describe the red growth?
Thanks!
I suspect you have a light issue. Move the stalks away from the light slightly and the yellowing should stop. However, I am not sure what is causing the red growths. Do the growths move like insects or are they stationery? can you easily remove them or are they embedded into the tissue of the stalks?
I washed the vase and rinsed well, rinsed the roots and put back without the rocks. I used water from my Brita water pitcher. The top of the stalk with the problem has begun to yellow. The red growths actually remind me of roots. They are embedded into the tissue of the leaves/stalk and when I try to scrape them off with my finger they don’t come off all the way and kinda seemed to smell of organic matter. I also moved it away from the light.
Thanks for the help!
Any more ideas?
Sounds fungal. I would cut off the stalk that has the red lesions. Then take a wait and see approach since you have move it away from the light.
Hi,
My neighbor was taking care of my lucky bamboo stalks while I was away, and I came back, and 2 out of the 4 were already completely yellowed and dead. The third one is fighting for its life now — I’ve isolated it from the sole survivor (which so far has no signs of yellowing) and am trying to save it. I had this stalk for nearly a year before and it was always healthy until now. It appears to be yellowing from the top, not the bottom, as the roots appear healthy as does the very bottom of the stalk. The yellowing began at the leaves and appears to be moving downward. There is also a bit of brownness around the cut at the top, but the stalk is not yet mushy. I have washed it with gentle, organic soap and have trimmed off the totally yellowed leaves, and I have placed it back in the same, shady place I always had it and where it flourished. I always gave it tap water (which I allowed to sit out for several days so that the chlorine would evaporate before I gave it to the plant), and I have returned it to this same regimen. I don’t know what my neighbor did, but it is possible that it was either too cold or that she exposed it to some kind of pathogen from one of her other plants. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do.
I am assuming that it got too cold and that she didn’t let the chlorine evaporate. I would cut the yellow off the stalk and let it rejuvenate itself. In a couple of weeks the stalk should put out some new leaves. Make the cut an inch above a healthy node. Then wait a couple of days and start misting the stalk with warm water about twice a day. This will help the stalk produce new leaves.
Hello-
I’ve had my three bamboo stalks for about six years…the two straight ones have lasted the whole time, while my second curly one is about two or three years old. They’ve all been doing wonderfully, up until I left them at my dorm over winter break. I’d put enough water in them…however, my roommate (who left after me) closed the window when she left, so for about a month my bamboo was stuck in a room with a heater that was on 24-7. Upon coming back to them I saw that there was absolutely no water in the vase and all three stalks were pale and starting to get wrinkly. I gave them water, and the two straight ones started to get better, though the curly one never sprung back and about a week ago I woke up to see it bent over, gone rotten in the middle. I took it out and replaced it with a new one five days ago and everything seemed fine up until one of my straight ones started to turn yellow from the bottom up. A black spot has started to form on the stalk, though it’s not mushy at all. Is there any way to save it or should I take it out to prevent my third stalk from suffering the same fate? Here’s a picture of the spot, and I’ll post a few more after that.
Attached Image: bamboo 1.jpg
here’s another picture of the whole stalk…
Attached Image: bamboo 2.jpg
….and here’s one more. Only the very top has remained green…is that good sign?
Attached Image: bamboo 3.jpg
Stephanie,
Get rid of the yellow stalk with the black. It is too far gone. Also it may be contaminating the other stalks. So Remove the stalks from the container and wipe them with a soft moist cloth. Then wash the container with hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Then fill the container with distilled water and put the green stalks back in. Hopefull the two green stalks will be ok.
Jamie-
I figured that was the case =( Just finished cleaning everything and putting it all back in, thanks for your help!
Jamie- I was hoping that you could assist us with our Bamboo.
We have had this beautiful bamboo stalk in the office for about 2 years or so. It has never exposed to real sunlight, just the bright office lights.
The stalks are green, some areas dark green and others lighter shade of green but the stalks look dehydrated. You can see green lines on the actual stalk. We have many yellow leaves and some green leaves lightening up and beginning to turn. The roots look dark- almost a reddish brown in color with odor. We always keep the water about 2 inches from the bottom and the stalks are in a rock and water environment. We have never used a fertilizer and have always used bottles Ozarka water. There is nothing different with our routine.
Where do you get distilled water? And if we need fertilizer, what type does it require?
Please HELP if possible, I can send a picture if needed.
Pictures to go with my post
Attached Image: Bamboo 3.jpg
Picture to go with post
Attached Image: Bamboo 1.jpg
Michelle,
It looks like the bamboo might have gotten too cold. Be sure to always keep your lucky bamboo above 55 degrees. The roots look alright, but because of the odor, I would recommend cleaning your container and refreshing the water. You can find distilled water at most places that sell water, or use water that has been sitting for 24hours. You do not need to fertilize. If your roots are slimy, try to rinse this off as much as possible. Hope this helps! Good luck.
Hi,
I purchased the attached lucky bamboo from my local grocery store about 1 month ago. It sits on my husband’s desk in his office that receives indirect sunlight. As you can see, of the 3 stalks, one of them is yellowing from the bottom up. I do use tap water which could be the problem. Can I save this stalk or is it too late? I just noticed the yellowing today when I walked in his office. I will certainly start using distilled water, but need to know if I can regrow the yellow stem, if so, where should I cut to start the regrowth? Thanks!
Attached Image: DSCN2652.jpg
I would say the yellow stalk is a goner. However, you might be able to take the leaf growth coming out of it and root it.
Is there a best place to cut the leaf growth? Should I do it right below the top node? Or does it matter? Thanks!
Right above the node would be fine. With the small piece available, you will just have to take a chance and cut it where you can.
i have experienced mold on the tip of my lucky bamboo… i cut 1 inch from the infected part.. after 4 days.. the molds started to grow like lucky bamboo hair.. again i cut 1 inch from the infected part and placed the plant under direct heat of the sun… the tip dried up and i successfully get rid of the molds… nice to share this experience for lucky bamboo enthuciasts.. best time to cut the stalks is during day time so you have time to let the tip dry up under the sun to avoid mold formation..
I hope you can help me….I have several bamboo plants, the lily kind, and most are doing ok. I followed the instructions given to me and trimmed off any brown or yellow leaves and now I am left with lots of stalk in some areas. I also have one plant that has a pale stalk. What do you recommend for these plants? I can send pictures of what each plant is doing so you understand my quandry…but for now I have attached the one of most concern. Also I have some very tall plants and can’t figure out where to cut them.
Attached Image: DSC06207.jpg
The pale stalk looks like it got too much light. You can cut it off and let the plant generate new leaves or you can leave it alone for a couple weeks and see it it recovers. However, if at any time the stalk becomes mushy remove it. As for the tall plant, take a look at Topping and Rooting Tall Lucky Bamboo post. It has instructions on how to top the lucky bamboo and root a new plant.
Hello, my husband bought a lucky bamboo. It came in a ceremic pot with soil and pebbles. It had 2 dead stalks in it when my husband came home with the bamboo. I removed it from the plant. Just over a week and 2 of my stalks are getting yellow at the bottom. Also some of the leaves on almost all the stalks are getting lighter than the other leaves. I changed the water thinking that it will help. I only use purified bottled drinking water for the plant. I also noticed there something green, in the soil I think. The pebbles are getting this green stain on them. I don’t think it’s mould because it doesn’t look like mould. This green stain can’t even be washed or scrubbed off the pebbles. Please help as I am afraid the plant may die if I don’t find a solution for it soon.
It sounds as if the plant received too much fertilizer. If that is the case, it is probably too late to save the stalks. I’m not sure what the green stuff is. Can you send me a picture?
hi Jamie, I have attached a pic. Hope it helps. When we first got the plant the pebbles were clean. A few days later the green stains/stuff started appearing.
Attached Image: lucky bamboo 4.jpg
I have no idea what that green stuff is. You could all the pebbles and wash them in bleach and them triple rinse them with warm soapy water and then triple rinse with clear water. Then reassemble;e the lucky bamboo stalks and fill with distilled water. The stalk that is yellowing looks like it has some damage wither fungal or just rough treatment – remove it and the other stalks should be ok.
Hi Jamie
I have had my luscky bamboo for about 4 years. for about 3 years the plant grew very well. For last year the leaves on the plant starting yellowing from the the botton I cut them off. Now the leaves are yellowing from the top. The stalk and roots look healthy. About 4 months ago I took it to the local garden shop and they told me to try changing the water and add very diluted fertilizer to it. I done that and the leaves are still yellowing. Before that time I had never used any fertilizer. About a month ago I began using distilled water but before that I used bottled spring water. It still receives the same filtered sunlight that it always had and I change the water regularly. Can you help me? I have another lucky bamboo that sits beside it that I have no problems with. I have attached a picture.
Attached Image: PIC-0048.jpg
I would only add fertilizer to it once or twice a year and very very dilute. As with all plants there comes a time when you simply need new ones. Now might be a good time to start some new lucky bamboo by topping the stalk. Take a look at our Topping Lucky Bamboo post or We are not Always Lucky With Lucky Bamboo post. They both have information on how to propagate lucky bamboo. Sometime topping them actually helps and gives you new plants to boot.
Hi. I have a bamboo plant I won on the boardwalk 1 year ago. Unfortunately, this and my other bonsai plant are infected with spider mites. They have been for a while. I hose them off now and again so I do not see spider mites or webbing. This time I noticed some brown dried tiny streaks in the green leaves. I figured the spider mites were getting to be too much. The plant had a period where the roots on the top were kind of dry for 1.5 days. I took the plant in the shower, and shampooed it thoroughly and rinsed it thoroughly. It is a week and a half later I noticed I had a few yellow leaves. Then I noticed one of my stems was yellow. (It’s an arrangement BTW). The leaves are too. They are not smelly or squishy, just yellow. No direct sunlight, I water with bottled water and fertilize here and there. I haven’t fertilized it in a while, so I gave it some immediately. What could be the problem? I also didn’t put the marbles back after I washed it. Please help. Thanks.
If the stalk is mushy, you will need to cut off the mushy part and save the part that is still healthy and green. If the healthy part is the top you will need to dip it in rooting hormone and root it. If it is the bottom and no longer has leaves, let it dry for a couple of days and then start misting it until it forms new leaves. Do not give it any more fertilizer. When plants are under stress fertilizer can do more damage than good. Also, it isn’t a good idea to shampoo your plants. If you need to get rid of insect without the use of harsh chemical use insecticidal soap instead. Once you give the plant the right conditions – water – light etc., be patient. It will take a couple of weeks for the plant to recover
Thanks for the response. I want to do everything to save this plant and I don’t always have the best of luck. This time, I attached some pics. The stem isn’t mushy, but nothing the stem, stalk, or one leaf left have any green on them. I took a close up of some leaves to show the brown marks on them. Are red dots normal on a stem? I noticed a few had a red dot on them. Also the tips of the majority of the leaves are dry. Is that normal?
Also, is it okay to wipe the leaves with isopropyl alcohol once in a while? I also posted a pic of the overall plant. It’s all green (exept sections where I held the flash light, the look yellow but they are really green) but the plant looks a little sickly to me. Is it dying? :(
Cali,
The pictures didn’t come through. Can you send them to me at jadams@flowershopnetwork.com?
Hi, I have to send new pics because my plant has changed so much, but now I have more problems. So the original yellow stalk got a little mushy on the sides, so I removed it. Now I noticed that the rest of the stems are getting a little wrinkly, and another stem is yellow. Some more leaves are getting yellow at the tips. I don’t know what’s going on…I read on another forum that the plant is drying out, so I filled a container with water bottle water just right below the leaves. What is happeneing? is it dying? how can i stop this before it’s too late,
I did get the pics, but it does sound like you have a severe problem. At this point your only hope is to start new plants off the healthy tissue. If you want to know how to start new plants read: We are not always lucky with lucky bamboo. It details how to create new plants from ones that are having issues.
It is possible your lucky bamboo plant is in shock and with good care, will bounce back on it’s own. There are a few things you can do to ensure optimal health. First, are you using tap water or filtered? It’s best to leave your filtered water out, uncovered, for 24 hours before you add it to your lucky bamboo plant to let the chemicals disperse. Hope this helps and good luck!