Lucky Bamboo is such a gorgeous plant and a total vibe for any living room. It’s no surprise that so many of us indoor gardeners want more of them! Luckily, propagating this plant is way easier than you might think. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to grow your collection.
Propagating Lucky Bamboo: The Basics
The best way to get new Lucky Bamboo plants is through cuttings. Trying to grow them from seed is a bit of a headache because these plants rarely, if ever, bloom indoors. Another great option is “stem division” if you have a nice, thick plant. Just cut the main stem into sections about four inches long. Pop them in a container of water, and they should start sprouting roots in no time.
Taking Your Cuttings
Lucky Bamboo usually grows side shoots, which are perfect for use as cuttings. The best part? Taking these cuttings doesn’t just give you a new plant—it actually encourages the mother plant to grow back even bushier, meaning more babies down the road! When you’re ready, cut the side shoot as close to the main stem as possible. Make sure to use a clean, sharp knife so you don’t damage the plant or introduce any bacteria.
Rooting Your New Plants
Now for the fun part: watching those roots grow! Place your cuttings in a tall glass with a few inches of room-temperature, settled water (letting tap water sit out for a bit helps). These little guys love a warm, bright spot with plenty of humidity—think around 70°F. Because of this, the bathroom is often the perfect “nursery” for them. Just keep an eye on the water level and top it off whenever it gets low.
Vase or Soil?
Lucky Bamboo isn’t picky! It can thrive in a decorative vase of water or in standard potting soil. The only real difference is how you feed it. If you keep it in a vase, it’ll miss out on the nutrients found in soil, so you’ll need to add a little fertilizer to the water. If you prefer soil, just make sure the cutting has developed a strong root system before planting it.
Lucky Bamboo Propagation Checklist
- Lucky Bamboo is super easy to propagate.
- Option 1: Stem division (cut the main stalk).
- Aim for sections about four inches long.
- Option 2: Take cuttings from side shoots.
- Always use a clean, sharp cutting tool.
- Place cuttings in a glass of settled, room-temperature water.
- A warm, bright spot with high humidity is the “sweet spot.”
- Keep the temperature around 70°F.
