Lucky bamboo · Dracaena sanderiana

Botanical name

Dracaena sanderiana

Plant family

Asparagaceae

Identification

Species

Growth and life cycle

You get an evergreen perennial with upright stems and long green leaves. Despite the name, it is a dracaena, not bamboo. It can grow in water or a potting mix.

Choosing a pot

If you grow it in water, choose a stable container that is easy to clean, with room for the roots and enough water to cover them without submerging much of the stem. For growing in potting mix, choose a pot with drainage holes, only slightly larger than the root ball.

Light

Bright, indirect light

When to water

If you grow it in water, check that the roots are covered but most of the stem stays above the water. Top up as the level drops, and change the water when it turns cloudy or develops a smell. If it is in potting mix, check with your finger and water lightly when the top layer starts to dry, without leaving water at the bottom of a container with no drainage. Curling leaves may indicate a lack of water, and a soft, yellowing stem base may indicate rot.

Potting mix and drainage

If you grow it in water, keep the roots covered and leave most of the stem above the water. Change the water when it turns cloudy and clean the container. If the plant is in potting mix, it needs an airy mix and a pot with drainage holes, rather than soil placed directly in a glass container with no drainage.

Feeding

When the plant puts out new leaves, you can add fertilizer suited to growing in water if it grows in water, or houseplant fertilizer if it is planted in a growing medium. During its first days at home, and when the plant turns yellow or is not growing, leave fertilizer aside and check the growing conditions first.

Pruning and tidying

You can gently remove dry or yellow leaves, leaving healthy green leaves and stems. If a side shoot has grown too long, trim it with clean scissors just above the point where a leaf emerges.

The first few days at home

Place the container in a bright spot without direct sunlight, away from hot glass and air conditioner drafts. Check whether the roots are in water or a growing medium. For growing in water, choose clean rainwater or distilled water. In a growing medium, use your finger to check that the top layer is starting to dry before watering. Keep the plant in its current container at first, as long as it is growing in clean water or a growing medium with drainage.

What to watch for

If you see brown tips, check exposure to air conditioner drafts and water quality, because lucky bamboo is sensitive to salts in water. A soft stem or a bad smell from the water may indicate rot. Remove rotten parts and clean the container.

Placement and climate

Place it near a bright window without direct sunlight, away from hot glass and air conditioner drafts that dry out the leaves. On a balcony, choose bright shade and a spot sheltered from wind. Bring it indoors when it gets cold in winter to protect it from cold and rain that fills the container.

Propagation

You can root a healthy side shoot with at least one node. Make a clean cut and place it in clean water in filtered light, keeping the leaves above the water.

Around pets

We haven’t verified whether this plant is safe around pets. Ask us before choosing.

Care level

Easy to care for

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