Dracaena sanderiana (‘Lucky Bamboo’)

Dracaena sanderiana (‘Lucky Bamboo’)

🌿 Introduction
Known as “Lucky Bamboo,” this hardy Dracaena is not a true bamboo but a semi-aquatic plant native to Central Africa. It thrives with its roots in water and foliage above, making it perfect for paludariums, ripariums, and decorative hanging pots.

🌱 Plant Profile

• Type: Semi-aquatic rosette stem (not a true bamboo)

• Origin: Central Africa

• Position: Emersed feature plant (roots in water, leaves above)

• Growth Rate: Slow to medium

• Lighting: Low to medium

• CO₂: Not required

• Height / Spread: 8–20″ (20–50 cm) tall, variable spread

• Water Parameters (roots only): pH 6.0–7.5 · GH 3–12 · KH 2–8

• Difficulty: Beginner-Friendly

✅ Care Summary

• Best grown emersed — place in water with roots submerged and leaves above.

• Avoid burying the crown; this leads to rot.

• Suitable for paludariums, ripariums, or decorative containers with your hanging pots.

• Tolerates low light and minimal fertilization, making it easy to maintain.

🌿 Q&A
Q: Can Lucky Bamboo live fully underwater?
A: No, it will rot if submerged long-term. It must be grown with roots in water and leaves above.

Q: Does it need special soil?
A: No. It does fine with roots in plain water, though a small amount of substrate or occasional fertilizer boosts growth.

Q: Is it beginner-friendly?
A: Yes, it adapts easily and requires little care as long as the crown stays above water.

🌿 More About Dracaena sanderiana
In the wild, Dracaena sanderiana grows in moist forests and swampy margins of Central Africa. Its ability to thrive with only its roots in water has made it popular worldwide in feng shui and ornamental arrangements.

In paludariums or ripariums, it adds a vertical, sculptural presence. Paired with  hanging pots, it creates a lush, living accent that thrives above the waterline while complementing aquatic plants below.