My brother got his wife a lucky bamboo plant for Christmas. Her dad had given her one a few years ago and it died. I've never had one and have no idea of what species it is or the proper care, light and water requirements. He said it is planted in gravel. :?: :-? :?: help
Hi Wrennie, If you keep the water in its container fresh it will help your SIL's Lucky Bamboo to stay healthy. (Every week or so is fine.) Remember to always keep the water levels at approx an inch from the base of the canes. Lucky Bamboo prefers plenty of indirect sunlight and room temperatures of around 65-70 degrees. You can feed it now and again (once every 2-3 months should do) with a mild solution of African Violet fertilizer or similar. As Lucky Bamboos growth can be controlled by feeding so just small amounts of fertilizer will keep the plant at a manageable size. Hope this is of some use to you.
Dracaena sanderana is the plant commonly sold as "Lucky Bamboo" and it usually grows more robustly if planted in soil. I agree with Eileen, clean water is quite important, if your SiL chooses to grow her plant in water. Unfloridated/unchlorinated water is preferable if growing in water only, as those two chemicals can cause leaf-tip browning with no soil to help filter them.
If it does well in the water leave it be. I keep mine in water and rocks. If it is not doing well, repot it in soil. That makes them much happier.
