Dracaena sanderiana aka Lucky Bamboo

Taxonomy

Dracaena sanderiana, also known as "lucky bamboo," is a species of flowering plant in the Asparagaceae family. It is native to Central Africa and was named after the German-English gardener Henry Frederick Conrad Sander. Chinese Water Bamboo, as it is also called, is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Ruscaceae family and is popular in Asian countries. Its knotty stems can be trained to form various shapes, such as spirals. Dracaena comes from the Greek for "female dragon," and some plants in this genus have thick, red resin reminiscent of dragon blood. Dracaenas are known for being easy to care for and can survive for months without water, making them a great addition to any home. They are native to Africa, Asia, and northern Australia and can thrive in low sunlight.

Common names

Lucky Bamboo

How to care for Lucky Bamboo

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Lucky Bamboo due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Lucky Bamboo does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

Lucky Bamboo loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Lucky Bamboo thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Lucky Bamboo.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Lucky Bamboo to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Humidity

Lucky Bamboo prefers dry environments, so misting the plant to provide extra humidity and allow water to linger on the leaves can create an ideal environment for fungi that can be harmful.

Fertilizer

The growth rate of Lucky Bamboo is slow and it doesn't necessitate additional fertilizing. By changing the soil in its pot annually, the plant should be provided with adequate nutrition. It is crucial to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Lucky Bamboo’s native range is Africa to Southern Asia and Australia.


More info:
Wikipedia