Q&A for How to Take Care of Lucky Bamboo

This is probably root rot. If you plant isn’t already dead, replace the old water with fresh water at least weekly. Use dechlorinated water by letting tap water sit out for at least 24 hours before using it.

Some store bought bamboo plants come with water absorbing gel to keep the plant watered while it is at the store. This can be left in place or washed off during repotting.

Lucky bamboo naturally grows straight, but you can train your bamboo to grow into a certain shape by manipulating its access to light. If you've bought a lucky bamboo plant that's already shaped, the curly stalk will stay in place, but the stalk will not continue to curl as it grows unless you keep up the light source manipulation. If the curly stalk dies off and a new one begins to grow, it will not automatically grow curly.

If your bamboo plant has outgrown its pot, you can either repot it in a larger pot and it will keep growing. Or, if you don't want it to keep growing, you can remove it from the original pot, trim the outer root ball, and repot it in that same pot.

Yes, you can divide bamboo stalks into multiple plants. Use a pruning saw or a sharp knife to divide the root ball, and then gently untwine your individual plants. Pot them and tend to them according to the instructions above.

Yes. Just make sure to rinse it thoroughly and untangle the roots before transplanting it to the water.

Cut the yellow part and change the water every day. Try to provide indirect sunlight.

If the plant tissue has been frozen, then the plant is probably beyond saving. The best you can do is keep trying to care for it for a while, and maybe something will come back from under the soil.

Cut the side shoots as close to the main stalk as you can, then just follow the same directions as above.

Whenever you want, or never. The bamboo is a very hearty plant, and it will grow around any obstacle, which is how they become spiral shaped. Just as in bonsai trees, this is how they use wire to shape them over time.

You can cut the yellow part off with pruning shears, but be careful not to cut too much off or the green part.

That may be because the water is not fresh. Try draining the water and replacing it a few times in a row to flush out the system before finally filling it up again. It's also possible that your bamboo plant sucked up too much water. If, after you adjust the water level and quality, the stalks are yellowish-brown, all you can do is remove them.

Take the old container ingredients out and fill your container with new ones. Then wash your bamboo in the sink by letting the water run on it. Be careful not to do this for too long! Then re-plant it.

It needs more water. You can also try testing the soil with kits from garden stores as the soil might not have enough nutrients.

The blooms may be small and insignificant, or may take several years to occur, and have only been seen to bloom in the wild.

Try regular kitchen corn oil or any cooking oil -- it is safe for plants and keeps the eggs from getting air. You can add this to any water outside where mosquitoes are a problem.

It is wax. Commercial growers put the wax there to prevent bacteria entering the plant through the wound. To give the plant its bamboo look, growers peel the leafy green leaves away and cut off the top. This may also stop the top of the plant from growing new leaves.

Cut off the part that was chewed on to prevent infection, a clean cut is better. Lemon juice can prevent further chewing, as cats don't like the sour flavor.

No! This plant is considered to be toxic to cats. If you have a cat at home, it wouldn't be a good idea at all to get the plant; cats have a tendency to get everywhere.

You can gently wash them with cold water - best if done while replanting - or wipe them with a damp cloth.

You can, but not in one go. First, cut a ring of a few centimeters around it and remove it from the dirt, with the dirt within the ring staying on the bamboo. Then, keep it in a cup and add water so it's mud. Refresh the water and leave any remaining mud every few days.

Direct sunlight is sunlight you place your plant directly in front of, so it gets sun all day long. Remember, this is not good for Lucky Bamboo.

Cut off the tops and replant them making new starts. Place cut shoots in a bowl of distilled water until roots to start showing.

Yes, as long as you cut it at the base of the leaf. The leaf must be at least an inch long to be able to continue growing on its own. Remember to first start growing it in the water and once it has roots that are a half inch long, you can plant it in dirt to continue growing. You can find good dirt at your local markets/stores. Also, the pot of your choice has to be at least two inches larger in diameter than the bamboo.

If the plant still looks healthy and is bright shiny green, then trim the roots and replant in fresh soil.

No. Sugar will only promote growth of things you don't want in your plants.

It could be due to lack of light. Try moving it closer to a light source and see if that helps. It should quicken the growth as well.

Occasionally to promote regrowth, roots can be cut. However, don't cut too much or you may kill the bamboo.

Filtered water, or tap water that has sat out for 24 hours to get rid of the chlorine.

Wash them thoroughly, preferably with some baking soda on a sponge to get whatever solids have accumulated from the water sitting on it too long. The baking soda is a light alkali that when rinsed won't leave any residue behind, but with enough grit to scrub without scratching any surface. Make sure to keep the plate on which you keep your plant dry. This will prevent fungi and bacteria from growing and possibly infecting your plant. It also keeps your plant and the area around it looking attractive!