The Easiest Methods for Propagating Lucky Bamboo: In Soil or Water

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Easily turn a lucky bamboo cutting into a brand new plant
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Despite the name, lucky bamboo isn't really bamboo. It’s a species of Dracaena— Dracaena sanderiana , to be exact—that’s native to Central Africa. The easiest and fastest way to propagate new plants is by taking a cutting from a healthy stalk. We’re covering everything you need to know to help you propagate this beautiful plant at home. You can root the cutting in either water or soil—water is easiest, but you’ll need to transplant it to another container once roots are established.

How do you propagate lucky bamboo?

  1. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut an offshoot close to the parent stalk.
  2. Place the cutting in water for about 30 days.
  3. Change the water once a week while the plant is rooting.
  4. Transplant the cutting to a larger vase or a planter with soil once roots are established.
Section 1 of 7:

Taking a Lucky Bamboo Cutting

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  1. Your cutting is more likely to thrive if it’s healthy, so make sure the parent stalk is firm and green—not yellow or shriveled. [1] Then, look for a good offshoot. Plant specialist and interiorscaper Ryan Glynn, CPA recommends finding an offshoot that’s “healthy and at least 5–6 in (13–15 cm) 5 or 6 inches long.”
    • If your lucky bamboo has gotten too tall, you can “top” it, or cut off the top 4–6 in (10–15 cm) of the plant and root that portion to create a more balanced plant. [2]
  2. Use a clean, sharp knife or pruning shears to carefully cut the offshoot from the parent stalk. Trim the offshoot as close to the stalk as possible. If the bottom is cut at an angle, trim off an additional 1 ⁄ 4  in (0.64 cm) from the bottom to make a straight cut. [3]
    • You can also chop long sections of stem into 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) pieces to try to root them separately. It can help to make an angled cut at the bottom of the stem and a straight one at the top, so you know which end is which. [4]
    • Make sure to leave at least 2 nodes on each section—one for leaf growth and one for roots. On lucky bamboo, the nodes look like horizontal bands around the stem, so they’re easy to identify.
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  3. Use your fingers to gently peel off the bottom sets of leaves from the cutting. Removing the bottom leaves will redirect the plant’s energy to producing roots. It’s also important to remove the leaves so they don’t rot when you’re rooting the offshoot—the rot could travel to the stem and kill your plant. [5]
    • Glynn recommends leaving the leaves at the top of the plant—”it needs its top leaves for photosynthesis.”
    • Should I propagate in soil or water? Rooting a lucky bamboo cutting in soil takes longer than rooting it in water , and it takes a little more work because you have to monitor the soil moisture more closely. But once the roots are established, both methods are fairly low-maintenance.
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Section 2 of 7:

Propagating the Cutting in Water

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  1. Fill a glass container with about 4 in (10 cm) of distilled or bottled water. Put the cutting in the water with the bottom of the stem at the bottom of the glass. Don’t completely submerge the cutting. [6]
    • It’s important to use distilled or bottled water because these don’t contain minerals like chlorine, salt, or fluoride, which will damage the bamboo. [7]
    • If you have more than 1 cutting, you can put them all in the same jar.
  2. Transfer the cutting to a bright location that’s protected from direct sunlight. As the cutting sits in the water, it will begin to grow roots of its own. Eventually, you'll be able to plant or grow the cutting as its own plant. The rooting process will take about 30 days. [8]
    • You should also place the bamboo plant itself in bright, indirect light. Bamboo needs lots of bright light to thrive, but it will burn quickly in direct sun. Find a bright location for the bamboo, such as a partially shaded windowsill, where it will get lots of light every day.
  3. Once a week, hold the lucky bamboo stalk in place and dump out the water from the jar. Replace the water with fresh distilled or bottled water. This will prevent the water from stagnating. As necessary, add more water to the jar to replace what’s evaporated or been absorbed by the growing plant. [9]
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Section 3 of 7:

Propagating the Cutting in Soil

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  1. 1
    Dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone to speed up propagation. Sprinkle a little rooting hormone into a shallow dish, then press the bottom end of the lucky bamboo cutting into the powder. Gently tap off any excess powder, then discard whatever is left in the container.
    • You don’t have to use rooting hormone, but it will help the lucky bamboo cutting grow roots faster.
    • Don’t dip your cutting directly into your container of rooting hormone—this can spread bacteria or illness to other plants.
  2. 2
    Fill a planter with potting soil and perlite or vermiculite. Choose a planter with drainage holes—ideally, the pot should be around 3 in (7.6 cm) in diameter. Fill it with a mixture of 2 parts potting soil and 1 part perlite or vermiculite for drainage.
    • Be sure to use a planter with drainage holes; if water doesn’t drain out properly, the lucky bamboo’s roots will rot.
  3. 3
    Carefully press the end of the cutting down into the soil. If you’d like, you can use your finger, a pencil, or a dowel to make a hole in the soil first. Push the cutting about 2–4 in (5.1–10.2 cm) into the soil, then gently pat the soil around the base of the cutting so it’s secure. [10]
    • Place it in an area with bright, indirect light.
    • Keep the soil moist but not soaked while the plant is rooting. Use distilled water to water your cutting—lucky bamboo is sensitive to minerals and chlorine that are often present in tap water.
    • It will take about a month for roots to develop.
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Section 4 of 7:

Transplanting Water-Rooted Cuttings

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  1. 1
    Transplant water-rooted cuttings after about a month. After a few weeks, your cutting should have visible roots growing from the part of the stem that’s in the water. Once the roots are about 1 in (2.5 cm) long, it’s time to move the lucky bamboo into a more permanent container. [11]
    • If you rooted the lucky bamboo in water, you can either keep it in water or transfer it to soil.
    • If you rooted the lucky bamboo in soil, it’s best to keep it in soil—you don’t need to transplant the cutting until it outgrows its original pot.
  2. When the lucky bamboo offshoot has had about a month to grow new roots, you can transfer it to its own vase. Fill the bottom of a jar or vase with at least 1 in (2.5 cm) of pebbles, marbles, or gravel. Place the stalk into the jar, setting the bottom firmly in the pebbles to keep it upright. Fill the vase with enough fresh, dechlorinated water to cover the roots.
    • Every 30 days, drain the water in the vase and replace it with new water that’s been bottled, distilled, or left out to dechlorinate. If the water drops between water changes, top off the vase with fresh water.
    • Once every two months or so, mix equal parts of liquid all-purpose plant fertilizer and water to create a diluted fertilizer solution, then add that to your plant’s water. [12]
  3. Lucky bamboo also thrives in soil. Find a small pot that’s at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep, and that has good drainage holes. Fill the pot with a mixture of 2 parts potting soil and 1 part perlite or vermiculite for drainage. Press the bottom of the lucky bamboo stalk 2 inches (5.1 cm) into the soil, then water thoroughly. [13]
    • Use bottled, distilled, or otherwise dechlorinated water to water the bamboo anytime the top half of the soil has grown out.
    • Fertilize once a month with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer to help the bamboo grow.
    • Some people find growing lucky bamboo in water to be a little more low-maintenance than growing it in soil, but it’s really just a matter of personal preference.
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Section 5 of 7:

How long does it take lucky bamboo to propagate?

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  1. It takes about 1 month for a bamboo cutting to develop roots. If you’re rooting the cutting in water, you’ll be able to see the roots developing. New roots will be bright red. [14]
    • If the plant is in soil, wait about 6 weeks, then gently tug on the lucky bamboo’s stalk—if the roots have developed properly, you’ll feel a slight resistance, and the stalk shouldn’t come out of the soil.
Section 6 of 7:

Caring for the Parent Stalk

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  1. Light an unscented soy candle and allow it to burn for about 30 minutes. Carefully remove the parent stalk from its container. When there's a small pool of liquid wax, dip the top of the trimmed stalk into the wax to seal the cutting. [15]
    • This step is optional, but it may help protect the original stem from infection or rot.
    • It’s a good idea to blow out the candle to avoid burning the lucky bamboo stalk.
    • The best type of wax for this is unscented white soy wax. Dyes, fragrances, and petroleum-based waxes could damage the plant.
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Section 7 of 7:

FAQs

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  1. 1
    Can you propagate lucky bamboo from leaves? No, you need a stem with at least 2 nodes to propagate a new lucky bamboo plant—one node to grow roots and the other to grow leaves.
  2. 2
    Can I cut lucky bamboo in half? Yes, if your lucky bamboo plant has gotten too tall, you can cut off the top 4–6 in (10–15 cm) and put the cutting in water to root.
  3. 3
    Will lucky bamboo root in water? Yes. putting a lucky bamboo cutting in a cup or jar of distilled water is the easiest way to root it. But you can root it in soil, if you prefer.
  4. 4
    Is lucky bamboo toxic? Like other Dracaena species, lucky bamboo is considered mildly toxic to pets, so call your vet if you think your dog or cat has eaten one. Side effects can include drooling and vomiting. [16]
    • Lucky bamboo is not considered to be toxic to people.
  5. 5
    Why is my lucky bamboo turning yellow? If your lucky bamboo is in water, your water may be high in minerals like salt and fluoride. Switch to rainwater or distilled water instead of using tap water. If your lucky bamboo is in soil, yellowing stems or leaves could be a sign of overwatering. Only water when the top half of the soil in the pot has dried out. [17]
    • Yellowing can also be a sign that your plant is getting too much sunlight—try moving it into a slightly shadier area.
  6. 6
    Does lucky bamboo flower? When it grows in the wild, Dracaena sanderiana does produce small, white flowers. However, lucky bamboo rarely flowers when it’s grown indoors as a houseplant.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    My lucky bamboo's leaves are drooping but they're still green. Why is this happening, and how can I revive my plant?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    This could be caused by overwatering or not enough sunlight. Make sure your plant gets indirect sunlight throughout the day. If your plant is in soil, reduce the amount of water you give it. If your plant is in water, reduce the level of the water in the container.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    I bought a long stalk of bamboo with a few leaves at the top. Can I cut the stalk down so it is shorter and will fit in a vase more safely?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can cut the stalk. But make sure to leave some nodes above the roots from where new leaves/shoots can sprout.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 48
  • Question
    How can I seal my lucky bamboo with wax?
    Community Answer
    Take the cut 'wound' of the bamboo, then either drip melted candle wax onto it, or dip it into a container of melted wax. To make sure it is completely sealed, let the wax dry then apply 2-3 more layers.
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      • Yellow leaves are an indication that there's too much chlorine in the water, whereas yellow stalks mean the water isn't being changed often enough. [18]
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      • If you have a cat, it's best not to grow lucky bamboo because the plant is toxic to cats.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/how-to-care-for-lucky-bamboo-8612402
      2. ↑ https://libanswers.nybg.org/faq/222870
      3. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/how-to-care-for-lucky-bamboo-8612402
      4. ↑ https://gardenbetty.com/dracaena-sanderiana-lucky-bamboo/
      5. ↑ https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/2024/05/16/the-complete-guide-to-lucky-bamboo-dracaena-sanderiana-care/
      6. ↑ https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=782519
      7. ↑ https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=782519
      8. ↑ https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=782519
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/lucky-bamboo-care/
      1. ↑ https://gardenbetty.com/dracaena-sanderiana-lucky-bamboo/
      2. ↑ https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=782519
      3. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/how-to-care-for-lucky-bamboo-8612402
      4. ↑ https://gardenbetty.com/dracaena-sanderiana-lucky-bamboo/
      5. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/lucky-bamboo-care/
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/47oMUr0YJNU?t=96
      7. ↑ https://gardenbetty.com/dracaena-sanderiana-lucky-bamboo/
      8. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/how-to-care-for-lucky-bamboo-8612402
      9. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/grasses/bamboo/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To propagate lucky bamboo, start by cutting a leafy offshoot from a healthy stalk of bamboo with small pruning shears. Then, gently peel off the bottom sets of leaves from the offshoot so the plant will direct its energy to producing roots. Next, put the cutting in a jar filled with 4 inches of distilled water and let it sit in indirect sunlight for a month, replacing the water weekly. After a month, when the bamboo has established some roots, transfer it to a vase lined with pebbles and filled with 4 inches of water. For tips from our Horticulture reviewer on how to take care of your newly established bamboo plant, read on!

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