Lucky bamboo is not a bamboo at all. It is a tropical, perennial shrub from West Africa and a member of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). The species epithet commemorates German-born nurseryman and orchid specialist Henry Frederick Conrad Sander, of St. Albans, England. Lucky bamboo is a popular, easy-to-grow and undemanding houseplant outside of the tropical zone. It performs well in containers with partial shade outdoors in summer or bright but indirect light indoors all year. It requires a moist potting mix, or it can be grown in chlorine-free water. Change the water weekly (to prevent mosquitoes) and provide a weak liquid fertilizer. Putting some pebbles in the bottom gives a place for the roots to grow (and gives weight to the container to prevent it from tipping over). The bright green, strappy leaves are widely spaced along the upright stems, giving the plant an open, airy appearance. The stems are often trained into a variety of shapes (e.g., braided or spiral). Lucky bamboo rarely blooms as a houseplant. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect pests or diseases. Monitor for mealybugs, mites and scale insects. Overwatering can cause yellowing of the leaves and rotting of the stems. Low humidity can cause browning of the leaf tips. More information on Dracaena .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheAlocasia 'Calidora'Alocasia x mortfontanensisDracaena fragrans
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Houseplant; Perennial; Poisonous; Shrub
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
10a, 10b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Bright green to gray-green strappy leaves are widely spaced along the upright stems
Flower color
White
Flower detail
Small white flowers in clusters. Rarely blooms as a house plant.
Bloom time
Fall; Winter
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Thick green fleshy stem resembling bamboo.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
West Central Tropical Africa to North East Angola
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Garden tags
#bamboo #houseplant #interiorscape #problem for dogs #problem for cats #tropical feel #container plant #shade garden #problem for children #poisonous if ingested
Toxic, if ingested, for cats and dogs. Vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats). Humans should not eat this plant. The sap can cause skin irritation.