If you enjoy lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) in your home, you know that this plant requires less maintenance than other houseplants. One thing you do need to pay attention to, however, is the condition of the bamboo leaves. When leaves turn yellow due to excessive direct sunlight or the presence of fluoride in the water, they need to be trimmed off so that foliage continues to sprout. Removing affected leaves will encourage new growth.
Pour rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and then rub the cotton over the blades of your shears. This sterilization step kills any disease-causing organisms that may be present.
Cut the yellowish portions of the bamboo leaves off by following the leaves' natural shape. Be sure to leave the unaffected green areas intact so that they continue to grow.
Cut completely yellow leaves off by snipping the area between the leaf base and stem.
Dispose of the yellow leaves immediately to prevent them from attracting insects or spreading disease to your plants.
Things You Will Need
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton ball
- Pruning shears
- Change the water that your lucky bamboo sits in every week to prevent it from becoming murky and odorous. Use an an inch of distilled or purified water to ensure you don't expose your plant to fluoride or chlorine, which can damage the plant.
- Lucky bamboo does not like direct sun. If your plant is getting too much sun, move it to an indirect sunlight location to prevent sunburn on the leaves.
- Under ideal conditions, the leaves of lucky bamboo can grow up to 1 inch per month.
- If your lucky bamboo suddenly drops a bunch of leaves, it could be due to too much water, an insect infestation or a drastic change in temperature.
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