You might have recently bought one but don’t know how to take care of the lucky bamboo plant in rocks. Then this blog post is the one for you. Over the last few decades, lucky bamboo has widely spread all across the globe because of its easy-to-care nature.
In traditional Chinese regions, lucky bamboo is gifted to people as a token of luck. Although it’s not confirmed whether it brings luck, it is scientifically proven that lucky bamboo is a great air purifier. Don’t worry if you’ve been gifted or purchased a lucky bamboo but know nothing about it.
We’ve some practical care tips for you.
This guide will explain everything about lucky bamboo care, such as watering, sunlight, fertilization, pest control, and reporting.
Can Lucky Bamboo Plants Survive in Rocks?
A common indoor plant with a wide range of shapes, lucky bamboo thrives in water. You can also grow it in rocks, glass, or pebbles, but be aware of the height of the stems. You should also check out the ASPCA website to learn more about how dangerous it is when your pet ingests it and what effects it will have, as it is believed to be detrimental to pets.
Meanwhile, rich, well-drained potting soil and constant access to at least an inch of standing water are necessary for Lucky Bamboo’s growth. As long as the roots are maintained moist, the environment is moderate, and it is not exposed to direct sunlight, the lucky bamboo is surprisingly hardy and can grow in various soil types.
In terms of lifespan, the potted bamboo plant is the most prevalent bamboo to grow in rocks and can be utilized to promote graciousness, serenity, prosperity, longevity, and beauty.
It also demands minimum upkeep and is a fuss-free houseplant.
Care Tips for a Lucky Bamboo Plant in Rocks
Every year, millions of lucky bamboo plants are imported and resold as ornamental indoor plants worldwide. Although lucky bamboo is widely known as bamboo, it is not even related to any family of bamboo. Lucky bamboo is of different taxonomic order from the actual bamboo.
Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) belongs to the family Liliaceae and is famous for encouraging good luck. The reason why lucky bamboo is called bamboo is its physical structure similar to real bamboo.
Taking care of lucky bamboo in a container filled with rocks is more straightforward than people think.
Following these simple care tips is easy if you grow your lucky bamboo plant in rocks or pebbles.
Water Your Lucky Bamboo
A lucky bamboo plant does not require regular watering; it does a fine job with less water. When watering lucky bamboo plants in a container filled with rocks or pebbles, only cover the roots instead of covering the whole plant.
The rocks provide lucky bamboo with a well-drained pot and evenly distribute the water among the roots. Be careful not to let algae form on the surface of the rocks in the container. Change your water every week or after 10 days.
During the winter, change the water every 15 to 10 days.
While in the summer, change the water every week or after 10 days at max.
If you’re using tap water, make sure your tap water doesn’t contain a high amount of chlorine and fluorine. These tap water minerals can damage your healthy-looking lucky bamboo plant.
Chlorine and fluorine get accumulate on the rocks in the pot or container. Both chemicals that are poisonous to lucky bamboo can kill your plant. Therefore, it is highly recommended not to use tap water for lucky bamboo growing in the rocks and water.
Distilled or filtered water for a lucky bamboo plant growing in rocks is always better and safer.
Sunlight
Being a true indoor plant, lucky bamboo is super sensitive to full bright sunlight. If placed under direct sunlight for extended periods, the plant can get burned or have scorched leaves.
Lucky bamboo plants don’t require direct sunlight for proper functioning and growth. They grow and work well under indirect sunlight. Place your pot in a spot with three to four hours of indirect sunlight.
During the winter, place your lucky bamboo next to the window or balcony where it can get indirect sunlight. In freezing weather, the tissues of lucky bamboo can freeze. Therefore, placing it in a spot where it can get some light is recommended.
You can place it next to a bulb or window where sunlight is available.
See also: Best Grow Lights For Houseplants
Humidity
Lucky bamboo plants thrive best in high humidity. You don’t have to worry about providing your lucky bamboo with high humidity; rocks will do the job for you. The rocks and water in the pot will create a perfect humidity level around your lucky bamboo plant.
Fertilization
As lucky bamboo is an easy-to-care indoor plant, fertilizing lucky bamboo plants is also relatively simple. You are not required to fertilize lucky bamboo plants every week or month. The minerals in the water and rocks are enough for your lucky bamboo to survive longer. Fertilize your lucky bamboo after every 8 to 10 weeks or at least thrice a year.
Too much fertilizing can dramatically damage your lucky bamboo plant. Therefore, be careful of over-fertilizing your bamboo plant. To fertilize the lucky bamboo, using a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer is preferable.
But again, remember that lucky bamboo is susceptible to over-fertilization. Only use the one-tenth amount of water-soluble fertilization you are using. That is enough to keep your lucky bamboo plant evergreen and lush in the rocks.
Pest Control
Algae, mites, fungus, and mealybugs in the rocks can easily infect the lucky bamboo plant. To eradicate mealybugs and mites, use any all-purpose spray. You can also eradicate mealybugs with either your hands or rubbing alcohol. Both will do the job. Remove the rocks from your pot and thoroughly clean them with rubbing alcohol or dishwashing soap.
Repotting
Once you see that your lucky bamboo plant has overgrown and needs a change, replace the pot. The lucky bamboo needs 1 inch of free space around it for air to reach the roots in the rocks. To re-pot, first, find a larger pot.
After finding a larger pot, remove the lucky bamboo from its current pot. Gently remove all the rocks away from the roots. Thoroughly check the roots and stalks to see any yellow ones. If you see yellow roots or stalks, immediately remove or separate them from other stalks.
The yellow color may indicate that the stem is about to die. After removing the dying or Yellow stalks, gently separate the roots from the rocks. Wash the rocks thoroughly to remove any potential diseases or viruses. Fill the new pot with freshly washed rocks.
Plant your lucky bamboo two inches in the rocks and thoroughly cover the roots. Water the roots and place the lucky bamboo in an open space where indirect sunlight is available.
Conclusion
The right amount of sunlight, water, and fertilization will keep your lucky bamboo plant well in the rocks. The lucky bamboo plants are low light tolerant plants and get easily burnt under direct bright sunlight. The rocks create a well-drained pot and a perfect high humidity around the lucky bamboo plant. Therefore, you don’t have to do much for the lucky bamboo. Just place it where it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
