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Lucky bamboo

Dracaena braunii

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Lucky bamboo · Dracaena braunii

Straight green stems grown in water or soil, well suited to a desk.

Care and placement

Prefers bright indirect light and tolerates low light; grown in water (change weekly, filtered) or lightly moist soil; likes 18–32 °C and avoid below 13 °C.

Draft mature dimensions

Maximum height (cm): 60 cm · Maximum spread (cm): 30 cm

Things to consider

The genus Dracaena contains saponins: toxic to dogs and cats, causing vomiting, anorexia and drooling (ASPCA). Keep pets and children from chewing it, and keep water-grown pots out of pets' reach.

Unknown evidence does not mean safe. Decorative plants are not automatically edible.

Information is compiled from multiple reputable sources for reference. If you spot an error, please contact us so we can check and update it.

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How to grow and care for it

  1. Planting and pot

    Water culture: keep roots submerged, anchor with pebbles, use filtered or bottled water. In soil: a loose, draining mix (e.g. soil with perlite and worm castings) in a pot with holes. Soil gives better long-term growth.

  2. Light

    Bright indirect light. Tolerates low light. Direct sun burns leaves and yellows stems.

  3. Watering

    Water culture: change the water weekly or every few weeks with filtered water since chlorine and fluoride damage leaves. In soil: water when the top 2–3 cm is dry using filtered water; flush the soil if tips brown.

  4. Feeding

    Balanced liquid fertilizer at 1/4–1/2 strength every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer (very little in water culture); reduce or stop in autumn and winter. Excess yellows leaves.

  5. Pruning

    Remove yellow or dead leaves and any soft, rotting stems. Cutting the top lets the stem branch.

  6. Propagation

    Cut a healthy stem just below a node, remove lower leaves, place in water or moist soil; roots form after weeks to a few months depending on conditions; pot in soil once roots appear.

  7. Pests and common problems

    Yellowing comes from excess fertilizer, chlorine or fluoride in water, too much sun, temperature extremes or overwatering. Brown tips: flush the soil and use filtered water. A mushy stalk: isolate it immediately, it may be rotting.

  8. For plentiful, healthy leaves

    For lush stems and leaves: clean (filtered) water, enough indirect light, very light steady feeding and no sudden temperature swings. Grown mainly for stems and foliage; rarely flowers indoors.