When propagating lucky bamboo, remember that the new plant won’t have the same distinctive stalks and growth habit of the parent. It’ll still be a pretty and resilient houseplant, with narrow green leaves and straight stems, but it won’t look like a professionally shaped lucky bamboo. The simplest way to propagate lucky bamboo is by taking cuttings, which can be trimmed off the parent plant with clean scissors or gardening shears. Place these cuttings directly in water until new roots have formed. Bamboo can also be propagated by planting the cuttings in fresh, moist soil with plenty of drainage. Here’s how to propagate lucky bamboo plants in both soil and water.
What You’ll Need
To propagate lucky bamboo, you’ll first need a mature plant with offshoots. You’ll also need small, sterile pruners or scissors to take the cutting. Materials to propagate in soil:
Rooting hormone (optional)Small container with drainage holesWell-draining potting mix
Materials to propagate in water:
Small glassDistilled water
Taking the Cutting
The first step in propagating lucky bamboo either in soil or water is to take a healthy cutting. Here’s how: It’s a good idea to take multiple cuttings at once. That way, if one doesn’t end up forming roots you’ll have some backups.
How to Propagate Lucky Bamboo in Soil
Apply a rooting hormone to the end of your cutting if you wish. It’s not essential, as lucky bamboo should readily root, but it can help to make the process more efficient. Then, here’s what you need to do for propagation in soil:
How to Propagate Lucky Bamboo in Water
Many people prefer propagating lucky bamboo in water because it’s easy and effective.
How Long Does It Take to Propagate Lucky Bamboo?
Your lucky bamboo cutting should start to form roots within a month. You’ll be able to see that happen when propagating via water. For soil propagation, new leaf and stem growth is a sign of root formation. At that point, you can either pot the new plant in soil or put it in a more decorative vase of water and pebbles to continue growing.
