Lucky Bamboo
by Pamela Kock

Will growing “Lucky Bamboo” really bring good fortune to your household?  We could always use a little luck, and the plant is used in the art of Feng Shui to create a space that energizes and brings a feeling of safety to its occupants.   Here are some tips on how to grow it and make the most of its beauty. 

Perhaps you’ve seen “Lucky Bamboo” for sale in garden stores and catalogs.  Beautiful green leaves with white stripes adorn the tips of long stalks, which may be straight or curved in a spiral, and it is usually seen growing in a vase of water.  Whether or not the plant really contributes to fortune and prosperity, one thing is certain:  it’s not really bamboo! 

“Lucky Bamboo” is really Dracaena sanderiana, also known as Ribbon Plant.  Most varieties of Dracaena are known for being pretty hardy and easy to care for, and this one is no exception.  It is one of the few plants that will grow in low light conditions, either in a container of water or in potting soil.  

The plant is available for purchase in several forms.  You can buy it with long stalks that are either straight, curved in a corkscrew or in graceful arcs.  Rooted cuttings are also available, and less expensive.  Dracaena sanderiana is often found in gift baskets as part of the foliage arrangement, and it’s probably one of the easiest plants to propagate.  All you have to do is cut it into pieces and put the pieces in water! 

Many people want to know the secret to getting this “bamboo” to grow in curves.  It’s a simple process.  Place the cutting in a darkened area, with a single light source toward the side of the plant.  As the plant grows, it will lean toward the light.  When it has grown an inch or two, give the plant a quarter turn.  If you continue to do this, the stem will form in a curve or spiral.  Experiment to see what interesting shapes you can create. 

While the plant will survive in plain water, in order to get a good rate of growth you’ll want to feed it with a commercial plant food.  If you’re happy with the way it looks, you can restrict its growth by keeping it in a low light environment and feeding it only minimally.  

Feng Shui experts suggest placing the plant in the corners of the room to activate the stagnant energy.  You can also use the curves of the stalk to hang charms and ornaments, and since no special growing medium is needed the plant can grace a variety of decorative containers.  No matter how you display “lucky bamboo,” it’s sure to improve your luck with houseplants.