Lucky Bamboo is a total favorite for adding a little zen to our living rooms. While you don’t *have* to prune it to keep it happy, a quick trim can actually do wonders for the plant. Here’s the lowdown on how to handle it like a pro.
To Prune or Not to Prune?
Lucky Bamboo is pretty low-maintenance and will grow just fine without a regular haircut. In the right soil and under ideal conditions, these guys can reach a height of up to three feet! If yours starts hitting the ceiling or taking over your shelf, it might be time for a trim. Plus, if you’re obsessed with your plant (guilty!), pruning is the perfect excuse to create some “babies.” You can use the trimmings as cuttings to propagate and grow even more plants.
How to Take Cuttings
To get a new start, you can either snip off a side shoot close to the main stalk or simply cut the main stalk itself and use the top portion as your cutting. Whatever you do, make sure your shears or knife are super clean. Pro tip: seal the “wound” on the parent plant with a little bit of candle wax to keep bacteria out. Place your cuttings in a jar of water to let them root. Rainwater is the gold standard here, as tap water can sometimes be a bit too hard or full of minerals. Once those roots show up, you’re ready to pot them up.
Pruning for Plant Health
If you notice your plant turning yellow, pruning isn’t just a choice—it’s a rescue mission. Yellowing usually means rot is setting in, and if you don’t act fast, the whole plant could be toast. Don’t be afraid to be a little bold here! Cut away the discolored part of the stalk entirely. As long as you cut back to the healthy green tissue and leave no germs behind, your Lucky Bamboo should bounce back.
Lucky Bamboo Pruning: The Quick Cheat Sheet
- Generally, pruning isn’t strictly necessary for growth.
- Always use clean, sharp tools.
- Seal the cut ends with wax to prevent infection.
- Trimming is great for keeping the plant at a manageable size.
- Use your trimmings to propagate new plants.
- Pruning is a lifesaver if the plant starts to rot.
- Be brave and cut away any yellow sections completely to save the rest of the stalk.
