Can We Keep Straight & Curly Bamboo Togther?

Following the Light

• Lucky bamboo grows naturally as a straight, erect plant with stiff, bright-green stems and lance-like, green leaves. In its natural habitat, it can become an upright shrub reaching 5 feet or more in height. When cultivated as a houseplant, it grows slowly and is usually considerably shorter. Lucky bamboo stems tend to bend toward their light source, so curly-stemmed plants have been trained to twist and curl by keeping them in one position until stems lean, then turning at intervals to produce a curving stem. You can purchase a specimen in which curly and straight stems are together in a pot or vase, or you can obtain the two types separately and mix them in a container for an interesting effect.

Choosing Water or Soil

• Lucky bamboo grows in either soil or water, although it might be more robust grown in soil. You can use any pot or container that has a drainage hole to grow it in soil, using a commercial potting soil labeled for houseplants. Keep the plant evenly moist and always allow water to drain well from the pot after watering. Lucky bamboo also does well grown in water in a container without a drain hole, with gravel or other material added to help hold the stems upright. Keep the lower portion of the plant that has roots submerged in water and use either bottled or tap water, changing it completely every week or two.

Keeping It Bright and Warm

• Lucky bamboo thrives in any indoor spot that gets bright, indirect light, and can do well with only artificial light. Don't expose the plant to full sun, because too much direct, bright light can cause browning of its leaf edges. Lucky bamboo can also grow in a shaded indoor spot, but its bright-green color might fade a bit and it could grow especially slowly. A tropical plant, lucky bamboo thrives in indoor temperatures that stay between about 60 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Watching for Problems

• Lucky bamboo is generally a carefree plant that rarely has problems. Occasionally it could develop yellowing or browning of its leaves, which can diminish its attractive appearance. If lighting conditions are correct, this is likely due to a problem with the water contacting its roots. If you're using tap water for the plant and your water contains fluoride or chlorine, leave water exposed to air for a day before using it. Tap water that's high in salt or has passed through a water softener might also cause this problem, which can be alleviated by switching to bottled water. The leaves and stems of lucky bamboo are toxic to pets, so it's best to keep the plant where pets can't reach it, such as on a table or other elevated spot.