Lucky Bamboo: Why is it Lucky?

Lucky Bamboo has been a popular houseplant given as a gift of good fortune for thousands of years. Let's talk about why this plant is so tied to the concept of luck and how we can bring some into our own lives.

What is Lucky Bamboo?

The first thing to note is that lucky bamboo is not bamboo at all. This plant is actually a member of the asparagus family, with its real name being dracaena sanderiana. While it highly resembles bamboo at first glance, its stalks aren't hollow as bamboo trees' are. This plant's most popular moniker comes from the Chinese naming , "fu gwey zhu". This roughly translates to "bamboo brings luck and honor". Now let's dive deeper into the good luck aspect.

Feng Shui and Lucky Bamboo

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that aims to align homes with their environment to improve the dwellers' health, fortune, and happiness. It is in this tradition that dracaena sanderiana became associated with good fortune. This plant's resilience, strength, and flexibility make it a great symbol for success in general. Aside from improving the home's overall harmony, lucky bamboo is thought to positively affect specific aspects of life. This is dependent on how many stalks are present in an arrangement. (The more stalks the better!)

Plant Care and Tips

The same qualities that make this charming plant a symbol of good luck also make it an excellent choice for a houseplant. It is relatively easy to care for and doesn't require soil. Your lucky bamboo can be kept in water that should be changed out periodically. It should be kept in indirect light, however, if your plant's bright green color begins to fade it's a sign that it needs more light. Water additives such as chlorine and fluoride may also cause your plant to yellow. Try using purified or distilled water to keep your plant healthy.

Lucky bamboo is a hearty houseplant that can easily thrive in a home or office. It may bring you good luck and prosperity. It may bring you health and strength. One thing it is sure to bring you is the happiness of caring for a living form and watching it flourish over time. Give this ancient symbol of good luck to someone you love and help them bring a little bit of nature indoors.