How to Plant Indoor Lucky Bamboo Shoots

Overview

Lucky Bamboo has grown to be one of the most popular housewarming gifts. Normally grown as a hydroponic plant, it also can be planted in soil. The Lucky Bamboo is said to bring good fortune. The plant is a Dracaena sanderiana, a variety of the tropical lily family. Most Lucky Bamboo is imported from China and can be a single, straight shoot to a beautiful grouping, twirled or shaped.

Growing Lucky Bamboo in Water

Step 1

Place Lucky Bamboo stalks in a vase or dish that's deep enough to hold at least 2 inches of water.

Step 2

Fill in around the stalks with enough marbles or pebbles to hold the stalks in place. Use decorative glass pieces or even colored gravel to hold the plant upright.

Step 3

Fill the vase or dish with 2 inches of distilled or purified water. Lucky Bamboo is very sensitive to tap water chemicals. Don't allow the water go down to less than an inch, and change the water once a week.

Step 4

Fertilize once a month with Green Green. It's a specially formulated fertilizer for Lucky Bamboo and can be found in garden centers. Follow the directions on the manufacturer's label. If Green Green isn't available, use a liquid African Violet fertilizer and add one drop per month to the water in the vase or dish.

Growing Lucky Bamboo in Soil

Step 1

Add a layer of pebbles to the bottom of a small container that is at least 3 inches deep. The pebbles will help with drainage and keep most of the soil from being washed out of the drain holes.

Step 2

Place a sandy potting soil in the container to within an inch of the top. Put your finger in the center of the soil to open a hole for the Lucky Bamboo stalk.

Step 3

Place the stalk in the soil to cover the roots, and press the soil around the bottom of the stalk to hold in place.

Step 4

Water the soil until it is completely moist. Water again just as the top of the soil starts to dry out. Never let the roots get completely dry.

Step 5

Fertilize identically to a plant growing in water except mix the fertilizer with water before feeding the plant.