Lucky Bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana
Toxic to cats and dogs
Not a bamboo at all, but a dracaena — and unlike true bamboo it is toxic to pets. Often grown in water; change it every couple of weeks and keep it out of direct sun.
Toxicity
Toxic Usually mild
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
Vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats).
Toxic Usually mild
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
Vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats).
Source — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, toxic and non-toxic plant list; read from this species' own page
Pet-safety information is a general guide from the ASPCA's toxic-plant database and covers cats and dogs only. "If eaten" summarises the symptoms ASPCA lists for that plant; how an animal actually reacts depends on how much it ate and on the animal. It isn't exhaustive, isn't veterinary advice, and individual animals vary — never rely on it as the sole basis for a decision about your pet. If you think your pet has eaten a harmful plant, contact a vet immediately.
Care
- WaterEvery 7–10 days
- LightMedium light
- HumidityAverage humidity
- Temperature18–29 °C
The same interval the Sabz app schedules reminders from. In autumn and winter the app stretches it; see houseplants in autumn.
Common problems
Lucky bamboo turning yellow
Yellow stalks are usually the water: chlorine and fluoride in tap water, or too much direct sun. Use rainwater, filtered water or tap water left to stand overnight, and keep it out of a sunny window. A stalk that has gone yellow from the bottom will not recover — cut the green top off above a node and start it again in fresh water.
Lucky bamboo water cloudy and smelly
Cloudy, smelly water means bacteria and algae have taken hold, usually because the water has not been changed for weeks or the vase sits in sun. Change it every week to ten days, rinse the pebbles and the roots, and keep the vase out of direct light. The roots should be orange-red and firm; slimy brown ones are rotting and should be trimmed.
Lucky bamboo brown tips
Brown tips are dry air or a build-up of minerals from tap water. Change to rainwater or filtered water, keep it away from radiators, and trim the tips at an angle. It is cosmetic; the plant is fine.
Similar plants
- Corn Plant toxicDracaena fragrans
- Dragon Tree toxicDracaena marginata
- Song of India toxicDracaena reflexa
- Miniature Lady Palm safeRhapis flabelliformis
In the app
Add a lucky bamboo to Sabz and the watering interval above becomes a reminder, the toxicity verdict sits on the plant's own page, and when a leaf turns, the Check-up reads what you have actually logged to say why.
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