How to Grow Lucky Bamboo for Feng Shui

Have you ever wondered why garden supply stores carry such a large supply of Lucky Bamboo? The reason for its popularity is two-fold. First, Lucky Bamboo is easy to grow and therefore a wise choice if you struggle with houseplants. Second, Lucky Bamboo is a common décor item in Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese philosophy of aesthetics believed to bring health, wealth, and happiness with positive qi (energy flow) within your home. It's not bamboo at all, actually, but a variety of water lily by the name of Dracaena Sanderiana. Here are some tips on how to grow Lucky Bamboo for Feng Shui.

First, always select the healthiest looking plant. You'll be looking for bright rather than dark green leaves. It's also preferable to purchase a plant that is smaller, with compact stalks. Leggy plants will just need pruning quicker. Make sure that the container is at least half filled with water, that there are no roots poking out of the bottom, and that the there are no yellow or brown stems. Definitely don't buy any plant that has insects on it. Lucky Bamboo grows in either soil or water, so choose according to your preference. If water, then select a container that is not clear - it's more likely to develop algae. If soil, make sure it is not dried out or soaking wet.

Next, look for a plant that represents all five elements: Earth, Water, Wood, Fire, and Metal. A soil-potted plant will obviously have earth, but a clay pot or pebbles represent earth as well. So do shades of brown. The plant itself represents wood, as does the green of the stalks. For fire, choose a red pot or a red ribbon (many lucky Bamboo plants are already arranged for sale with a red ribbon on them). For metal, you might find a painted pot that is embellished with metallic paints, or you can add some favorite metal ornaments or Feng Shui coins. The total number of stalks in a Lucky Bamboo also has meaning, but what you choose is up to you and your Feng Shui purposes. Numbers are significant to Feng Shui. Even numbers symbolize Yin (feminine, nurturing energy) while odd numbers are Yang (masculine, active energy). I've included a link at the end of this article to some Feng Shui basics that explain the luck and significance of numbers. Occasionally you may see a Lucky Bamboo plant with a curly stalk. The curly stalk represents money (and will usually cost more, too!).

Third, choose an auspicious location for your Lucky Bamboo plant to live. Find a spot that has adequate (but not too much) natural light. Bamboo prefers indirect light; don't place the plant on a windowsill. Since direction holds much significance in Feng Shui, take this into consideration as well. You may choose the "money" corner of your home to bring you luck in finances, or you may simply choose an area of your home that is currently "stagnant" and needs better energy flow.

Next, care for the water and nutritional needs of your plant. Since Lucky Bamboo is essentially a water lily, it likes damp soil. Water frequently enough to keep the soil moist (not soaked), or if your plant is grown in water, keep the water level topped up to the level you bought it at (any more will just encourage more roots below the higher water level). Lucky Bamboo does not do well with the chemicals in tap water, so let your watering can stand overnight to let the chemicals disperse - or use filtered water or rainwater. A great tip is to use tank water from an aquarium - Lucky Bamboo loves the algae rich water in aquariums.

Finally, embellish your plant by encouraging curls. This is a long-term effort, as Lucky Bamboo only grows one to three inches per year. Place your plant in an area with weak overall light, but which has stronger light in one direction. You'll notice that the plant will begin to bend towards the light. Rotate the pot an inch or two every time it bends towards the light. Result: curly stalks!

Growing bamboo is an easy hobby that is pleasing to the eye. Growing Lucky Bamboo is not only easy and pleasing, but will do much to improve the qi within your home. Treat your bamboo well, and it will pay you in dividends of natural beauty.

The Feng Shui Bible: The Definitive Guide to Improving Your Life, Home, Health, and Finances

Lucky Bamboo Shop (incredible variety)

The Spiritual Feng Shui Color guide

Your Kua Number Determining your lucky number and best directions