Lucky Bamboo
Photo: User SeanMack on en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
houseplantbeginnerstem cuttingwater

How to Propagate Lucky Bamboo

Dracaena sanderiana · Also called Ribbon Plant

Methods Stem cutting, water
Difficulty Beginner
Best season Year-round
Time to root 2–4 weeks
Group Houseplant

Not true bamboo, but a Dracaena relative that’s often grown permanently in water. A cut stem section with at least one node roots easily in plain water and can stay there indefinitely.

Water propagation

  1. Cut a stem section with at least one node.
  2. Place in a glass of water, node submerged.
  3. Change water every 1–2 weeks; keep out of direct sun.

Roots form in 2–4 weeks.

When to propagate

Year-round, since it’s typically grown indoors.

Common problems

Water turned cloudy or smelly. Change it more frequently — stagnant water is the main risk with this permanently-in-water plant.

Questions people ask

Can I grow it in soil instead? Yes, though it’s traditionally grown in water; soil works too once rooted.

Is it toxic to pets? Mildly — it can cause drooling or vomiting if chewed, especially in cats. Rarely serious, but worth keeping out of reach.

Water propagation hub · Similar plants: Corn Plant, Dragon Tree