Double Luck Bamboo: Luck

In China, Lucky Bamboo has a deep spiritual meaning. Double Luck Bamboo is thought to bring luck and is often given as a present. According to the Feng Shui tradition, Lucky Bamboo releases positive energy in the living environment. It Chinese tradition, the various forms of Double Luck Bamboo each „catch” luck in a different way.

Care
Like all Dracaenas, the genius Dracaena sanderiana, to which Lucky Bamboo belongs, is only suitable for use as a houseplant. The stems are kept in water. If desired, gravel, marbles or some other decorative material can be added to the bottom of the pot or vase to add some extra weight or to hold the stems in place. The water should be changed every two weeks and, if necessary, topped up every week.

Adding nutrients is not necessary and actually tends to have a harmful effect, as it affects the salt concentration of the water. When kept in water, the stems will last several weeks or months and sometimes even years. Lucky Bamboo can also be kept in a pot, although this is not really necessary. If it is held in a pot, it should be kept in a potting soil mixture that can hold a great deal of water. If it is kept in soil, extra nutrients may be added carefully in small quantities. First dissolve the plant nutrients in water, and then distribute them by spreading the water over the soil. The stems prefer a well-lit indoor location, but direct sunlight should be avoided.

The temperature should be between 15°C and 25°C, although somewhat higher temperatures are also tolerated. You may spray the stems with water, although this is not really necessary. To remove dust and/or clean the plants, you can place them for a short time outdoors during a moderate summer shower, and then quickly bring them back inside. The shape of the stems can be modified by making use of gravity and the fact that they grow towards sources of direct light. If a Lucky Bamboo plant becomes too tall, it may be cut back. In that case, the stem will not grow any further. However, it may react to being cut back by producing leaves along the stem just beneath the cut.