How to Prune Lucky Bamboo Plants

What many people don't realize about their lucky bamboo plants is that the main stalks are never going to grow noticeably in height. These plant stalks are harvested and sold to growers by the inch. They are pre-cut to specific lengths, and each cut end is chemically treated. The parts of the lucky bamboo that will grow are the shoots coming from the joints in the main stalk. As the leaves grow and mature, they become new stalks capable of sprouting their own new shoots. The growth of many new shoots can cause the lucky bamboo plant to become top-heavy, and it may begin to look untidy or unattractive to you. A little strategic pruning will bring your plant back under control.

Lucky bamboo plant

Sharp shears or scissors

Paraffin wax

Toothpicks or cotton swabs

Distilled water

Use sharp, clean shears or scissors to clip the new green growths 1 to 2 inches from the stalk. This will not only tidy the lucky bamboo's appearance, but will encourage fuller new growth closer to the stalk.

Melt about 1/8 cup of paraffin wax. Let it cool, but not to the point of solidifying. You don't want to put very hot wax on your plant.

Use a toothpick or cotton swab to apply a little dab of the wax directly on the fresh cuts you just made on the lucky bamboo. This will keep bacteria from accessing the interior of the plant and causing stem or leaf rot.

Take a look at the lucky bamboo's roots through its clear globular container. Healthy root systems can become overgrown and pot bound. If it looks overcrowded or really dense with long roots, it's time for a little toe trimming. If your container isn't a clear one, you'll need to take the plant out of it to examine the roots.

Gently remove the lucky bamboo from its water and gravel. Carefully dislodge any bits of gravel that may be entangled within the roots. Use sharp clean shears or scissors to trim no more than 1/3 of the length from the ends of the roots. Return the plant to its container.

Root the stems that you cut from the plant, if you wish. Pour about ? inch of distilled water into a drinking glass. Distilled water is best for all lucky bamboo plants because it contains none of the impurities of tap water, particularly fluoride.

Place the stems into the glass, and set it near your mother plant. They will root very soon. When the roots are about 1 to 2 inches long, you can set them up in their own containers just as you did with your original plant.

Don't trim lucky bamboo roots until their dormant season. This begins around mid-October, when the deciduous trees start to lose their leaves.