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Container Gardening

Lucky Bamboo gift from work, in h20 tiny pot

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I have been given these braided Lucky bamboo plants several times over the years, almost always at Xmas gift exchanges. The pot on this years model is 2 inches high by 2 by 3. The plant is around 14 inches high. As for it's condition, it looks great. Nice color, no fading on the foliage to the yellow jaundice they seem to get.

My question is what are others wiser than I doing with these water pots long term. It is very easy to keep water forever present in this tiny pot. I am right at a west window, with a window slightly tinted. I don't think the plant could be any easier or any healthier, but,,,,,,,,as I walk thru the building it is clear this is a go to xmas gift among coworkers, and the plants are usually yellowed, in murky disgusting vases and no new leaves, Just tired looking slightly jaundiced foliage. To be honest, they bore the heck out of me. Has anyone potted one in dirt. Would that help the plant remain healthy. I have just never seen an older Lucky Bamboo plant that you could have paid me to have to care for for years and years.

Advice, or tell me I can throw it over the fence. :) Thanks all

Laurie B

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Comments (2)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Laurie, there is a forum here on GW dedicated to growing lucky bamboo that you might find helpful.

But to quickly answer your questions. Yes, the plant can be potted in soil. It is just a form of dracaena (Dracaena sanderiana), a common houseplant. It is often grown and sold in just water as the plant (including the number of stalks) has a feng shui significance and it is a very easy, low care houseplant. If grown in water, the water should be changed frequently, at least every couple of weeks. And it is best to use distilled or rainwater water as tapwater can have chemicals and salts that can cause leaf discoloration and tip browning. It requires very little in the way of fertilization - a very dilute (1/10th strength) liquid houseplant fertilizer every couple of months or so is plenty.

Most of the time these plants look bad is because they receive NO attention :-)) They may be very low care, but they are not NO care!!
Laurie (8A) thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Laurie (8A)
Original Author
7 years ago
Well, I will keep on with it. Thank you for the tips. I will cut back to feeding from once a month to every other. Maybe I will regift it at next years xmas party. :)
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