Lucky Bamboo is a popular houseplant admired for its segmented, cane-like appearance and ability to grow gracefully in water. Many new owners wonder if this plant, with its bamboo-like look, spreads aggressively in a garden or container. The short answer is no: Lucky Bamboo does not spread or become invasive like true bamboo species. Its contained growth habit makes it a safe choice for indoor environments and small spaces.
The Lucky Bamboo Misnomer
The name “Lucky Bamboo” is purely commercial, based on its visual similarity to actual bamboo plants. This houseplant is botanically known as Dracaena sanderiana, belonging to the Asparagaceae family. True bamboo, in contrast, is a member of the grass family, Poaceae, making the two plants entirely unrelated despite the common name. The plant is native to the tropical rainforests of West Africa and is a perennial shrub in its natural environment. Its popularity stems from its use in Feng Shui, where it is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity.
Natural Growth Habit and Root System
The way a plant spreads is determined by its root structure, and the root system of Dracaena sanderiana differs fundamentally from true bamboo. Aggressive bamboo species, often called “running” bamboos, spread rapidly by sending out long, invasive underground stems called rhizomes. These runners travel significant distances away from the main plant, allowing them to colonize new areas quickly and making them difficult to contain.
Lucky Bamboo, however, possesses a “clumping” growth habit, whether grown in soil or water. The plant grows primarily vertically from its main stalk and does not produce the spreading, underground runners that define invasive growth. New growth is limited to shoots emerging directly from the main stem or new stalks developing close to the root ball. This ensures the plant remains contained within its initial growing vessel, keeping it compact.
Controlled Methods of Propagation
Since the plant does not spread autonomously, multiplication requires human intervention through propagation. This method allows owners to intentionally create new plants from a single parent stalk. The simplest technique involves taking stem cuttings from the main cane or the offshoots that grow from it.
To propagate, a healthy section of the stem with at least one growth node is cut using a clean, sharp tool. This cutting is then placed in a container of distilled or purified water. Within about a month, new roots will emerge from the submerged nodes, indicating a successful start. Once rooted, the cutting can be maintained in water or transplanted into a well-draining soil mix, creating a new Lucky Bamboo plant.