Can Lucky Bamboo Survive in Full Shade?

Lighting

• A tropical plant that's also called ribbon dracaena, lucky bamboo has stems that resemble bamboo stalks. Its bright green, pointed leaves originate in groups from its joints, or nodes, and grow upwards with a slight spread. Lucky bamboo is a slow grower -- an older plant can reach a height of 5 feet, but this takes many years. Although it can grow near a sunny window, lucky bamboo also thrives in low light conditions and can tolerate many hours of shade, but it does need a small amount of light. When grown indoors, indoor light reflected from nearby windows is sufficient, making this plant a good choice for a desk or kitchen counter in a naturally lit room.

Changing Locations

• Lucky bamboo becomes acclimated to a lighting condition, so if you move a plant, give it some time to adapt. For example, if you relocate it from a shady spot into brighter light, do this gradually, exposing it to an hour or two of brighter light each day to prevent scorching of its leaves. A plant that's accustomed to bright light can also move into low light without damage, but you should move it into successively darker spots to give the plant time to adjust. Leaves on a plant that's moved into low light might become light green, but this is a normal response to a drop in lighting.

Light and Growth

• Lucky bamboo does need some light to survive and can grow well under artificial light if natural light is totally absent. The best source is a fluorescent light, either a cool-white source or one labeled specifically for use on plants. Lucky bamboo grows toward light and tends to lean in the direction of its light source, so turning the plant occasionally helps it develop straight stems. You can also produce a twisted, or corkscrew, stem by turning the plant very slowly, allowing its stem to lean in one direction, then turning it 90 degrees, and repeating this each time the stem changes direction.

Other Needs

• Lucky bamboo thrives in standard potting soil. Choose a well-drained potting mix or make your own from one part loam, one part compost and two parts sand. You can also grow the plant in water, but use a filtered, non-fluorinated or non-chlorinated source, or let tap water sit overnight to allow evaporation of chlorine. Change the water often to prevent buildup of salts and keep it at a level that moistens roots but doesn't submerge the stems, since this can cause rotting. Lucky bamboo grows well without fertilizing, but you can boost its growth by feeding it monthly with a balanced, 10-10-10 formula, diluted at a rate of 1/8 teaspoon per 5 gallons.