Dracaena sanderiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dracaena sanderiana |
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Ruscaceae
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D. sanderiana
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| Dracaena sanderiana Sander ex Mast.
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Dracaena sanderiana is a popular houseplant. It has many common names. People often call it Lucky Bamboo, Ribbon Dracaena, or Belgian Evergreen. Even though it's called "Lucky Bamboo," it's not actually a type of bamboo. It's part of the Dracaena family.
This plant originally comes from Central Africa. It grows naturally in rainforests. There, it can be a small shrub up to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) tall. Its leaves are long and thin. They are usually 15-25 cm (6-10 inches) long. People often buy it because they believe it brings good luck. This is especially true in Feng shui, a traditional Chinese practice. New plants are grown from small cuttings. These cuttings are often kept in water.
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Caring for Your Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo plants are very popular houseplants. They are easy to take care of. There are many different types, called cultivars. These plants can grow well in many indoor places.
Light and Water Needs
Lucky Bamboo likes bright, indirect light. This means it should be near a window but not in direct sunlight. Too much direct sun can make its leaves turn yellow. It can even burn them.
Even though it grows best in soil, Lucky Bamboo is often sold with its roots in water. If you keep it in water, you should change the water often. It's best to change it every two weeks. Use bottled water or soft tap water. Water with too much fluoride or chlorine can harm the plant. Water from a filtered fish tank can also work well.
The best temperature for Lucky Bamboo is between 15°C and 25°C (59°F and 77°F).
Problems and Solutions
Sometimes, the edges of the leaves might turn yellow or brown. This can happen for a few reasons. It might be getting too much direct sunlight. Its roots might also be too crowded in its pot. Using water with too much fluoride or chlorine can also cause this. Salty water or softened water can also make the leaf edges turn brown.
Shaping Your Plant
You can even make your Lucky Bamboo grow in twisted shapes! To do this, you slowly rotate the plant. You turn it so that it always bends towards the light. This takes a lot of patience. But if you are careful, you can create cool, unique shapes.
Interesting Facts About Lucky Bamboo
- It is not related to real bamboo plants.
- In the United States, it is often sold as "lucky bamboo."
- You can find Dracaena sanderiana in many places. These include Chinatown stores and shopping mall kiosks. Pet stores and special plant shops also sell them.
- This plant can be harmful to pets. If you have pets, make sure they don't chew on it.
- Lucky Bamboo is a popular plant used in Feng shui. People believe it brings good energy.
- This plant can sometimes grow flowers. This usually happens in autumn, winter, or early spring.
Images for kids
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Dracaena sanderiana growing naturally at Ragunan Zoo in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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A field of lucky bamboo in Donghai Island, Guangdong.
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A Lucky Bamboo plant with a cool spiral shape.
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A new Lucky Bamboo cutting starting to grow roots.
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A plant with many stems woven together.
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Lucky Bamboo with stems shaped like hearts.
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Three Dracaena sanderiana plants together.
