Lucky Bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana
- Light
- Low light to bright, indirect light. Best spot: close to a bright window but out of the sun's direct rays.
- Water
- Keep evenly moist, never soggy
- Humidity
- Does better with extra humidity
- Potting mix
- An indoor potting mix with good drainage
- Pets
- Toxic to pets
How to care for a lucky bamboo
Not a bamboo; it's a dracaena, often sold with its stems braided or spiraled. Easy and undemanding in bright but indirect light. Grow it in a moist potting mix or in chlorine-free water with pebbles to anchor the roots. In water, change it weekly and add a weak liquid fertilizer.
Common problems
No serious pests; watch for mealybugs, mites and scale. Overwatering a potted plant yellows the leaves and rots the stems. Low humidity browns the leaf tips.
Questions people ask
How much light does a lucky bamboo need?
Low light to bright, indirect light. Best spot: close to a bright window but out of the sun's direct rays.
How often should I water a lucky bamboo?
Keep evenly moist, never soggy.
Is lucky bamboo toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. Toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA lists Dracaena species as a group): vomiting, depression, loss of appetite, drooling, and dilated pupils in cats. NC State rates lucky bamboo toxic to cats and dogs too.
Sources
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