An easy way to introduce Feng shui into your home is with ‘Lucky Bamboo’, (Dracaena sanderiana). Lucky Bamboo, with its lily-like, bright green or variegated stalks and leaves only resembles traditional bamboo in appearance. With canes or stalks that are straight, braided, curly or spiral, it is a long lived, easy care house plant. Lucky bamboo is not for outside planting.

     Lucky Bamboo has been a symbol of good fortune in Asian culture for centuries. It is valued because of its ability to adapt and grow in minimal and even poor light conditions. Since Lucky Bamboo is able to thrive where other plants would not, it is valued as a means of enhancing the positive flow of energy or ‘chi’ that surrounds us all. The red ribbon that may decorate the stalk symbolizes fire which enhances or ‘ignites’ the positive ‘chi’.

     Cultural tradition teaches that certain numbers of stalks promote various outcomes:

     Lucky Bamboo is fairly easy to grow and almost maintenance free! It enjoys an indoor environment only and dislikes direct sunlight. Lucky bamboo grows naturally under the canopy of tropical rain forests and therefore does not tolerate direct sunlight.

It must be kept moist in at least one inch of water at all times. High water levels may induce excessive roots. The water must be changed about every 4-6 weeks for optimum survivability. Lucky bamboo can even grow in rooms where there is very low light levels. Keep in mind under these conditions it will grow more slowly.