The reason lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is such a popular indoor plant is because it does well in a range of lighting situations, including complete shade. You can train your lucky bamboo to get used to its new surroundings if you want to put it in a dimly lit area.
How much sun is required by lucky bamboo? Lucky bamboo requires some light to survive even though it doesn’t require a lot of light to grow. The plant is not suitable for a location with little or no light. Only U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11 are suitable for growing it outdoors.
Tip
According to North Carolina State Extension, lucky bamboo can thrive in less than two hours of direct sunlight or in complete shade. With a little artificial lighting, it will grow within.
Can lucky bamboo grow in the absence of sunlight?
The fortunate bamboo, although not being a bamboo plant, immediately wins admirers with its miniature, bonsai-like proportions. They are frequently offered for sale in two ways: spotted in soil or suspended in water, and they are particularly well suited for zen-like minimalist environments. Depending on how many stalks are grouped together, according to feng shui, fortunate bamboo plants get luck energy. These indoor low light plants can thrive without sunshine and come in a range of sizes to fit any room in your house. Don’t water it until the earth seems dry to the touch.
Can bamboo grow in complete darkness?
Growing bamboo may be a very rewarding and pleasurable hobby. It’s a hobby that requires you to become very knowledgeable about the huge world of bamboo and it will force you to make a lot of choices. The two most important choices are always going to be what bamboo to purchase next and where to plant it. There will always be limitations determined by your environment, your garden’s size and configuration, and your particular tastes. Furthermore, there will surely be shady areas of the garden where you are unsure of what to plant. So, can I grow bamboo in the shade? you might be wondering. And if so, which kinds are going to be the best?
Yes, bamboo can be grown in the shade. Additionally, some kinds of bamboo do prefer more shade than others. But your climate will also be a factor. Most bamboos will benefit from at least a little bit of shade in really hot areas. You will need to be more picky about what goes in the shade in colder climates. The genera Fargesia and Borinda typically contain some of the bamboo species that prefer shade the most. Shorter, ground cover varieties of bamboo, such as those from the genera Pleioblastus, Sasa, and Sasaella, will also withstand more shade.
In the section that follows, we’ll go into more detail about growing bamboo in the shade and name some particular types that are most likely to thrive there.
What environmental factors favor fortunate bamboo?
As its scientific name suggests, lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is not technically bamboo; rather, it belongs to the Dracaena genus. The Southeast Asian fortunate bamboo plant has a reputation for being used in Feng Shui for over 5,000 years. It is regarded as a symbol of happiness and good fortune in these beliefs, making it a suitable and well-liked gift in both professional and private contexts. The capacity of lucky bamboo to be trained into shapes like a swirl, heart, braid, and other motifs is another reason contributing to its popularity. For a detailed look at the meaning of fortunate bamboo and instructions on how to make various bamboo designs, see the sections below.
Lucky bamboo is a fantastic plant for both homes and offices because it requires little maintenance. Although it thrives in either soil or water, soil-grown plants live the longest. Lucky bamboo care is more in line with Dracaena care than bamboo care because it is a Dracaena. It needs to be changed every week if it’s growing in water. Avoid overwatering or allowing the soil to become dry when planting in soil; it should be kept just barely damp. Indirect lighting and temperatures between 65 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for lucky bamboo (1835C). It thrives in these relatively tropical conditions and is regarded as being in zone 1011 on the hardiness scale.
Can lucky bamboo survive in dim conditions?
It may seem tough to enjoy houseplants in a darkened room or office. Not so! Many plants can happily survive in low light. Author: Karen Weir-Jimerson
Nerve Plant
Fittonia, commonly known as nerve plant, adds beautiful color to dim places. This lovely native Peruvian plant has small leaves and comes in a range of leaf hues, including pink, white, and light green for partial or full coloration on green leaves. The nerve plant is perfect for windowsill planters, tiny containers, or terrariums because it only grows 6 to 12 inches tall.
Care advice: In low light, the colored leaves of nerve plants will appear slightly less vibrant. More green will be present in the leaves, but the plants will still be lovely and lush. In order to maintain plants lush and green, pinch back new growth.
ZZ Plant
Zamiifolia zamioculcas The ZZ plant is a tolerant plant that can tolerate low light levels and inconsistent watering, making it the perfect choice for forgetful plant owners. (Owning this plant doesn’t imply any guilt!) Since it grows slowly, it won’t require repotting or division for many years. The lush, glossy leaves complement any decor beautifully. ZZ thrives under fluorescent lighting, which makes them a common indoor plant in offices. Plants can reach a height of 16 to 28 inches; if you prefer a dwarf variety, consider “Zamicro.”
Care recommendation: Keep dust away from the foliage of ZZ and all low-light plants. It only takes a quick brush with a damp towel to maintain leaves glossy and attractive.
Lucky Bamboo
Sanderiana dracaena The last time you dined at an Asian restaurant, you might have seen this plant since, without a doubt, a lucky bamboo was waiting to welcome you. These decorative indoor plants come in a variety of artistic designs, including braids, loops, curlicues, and hearts, and are said to bring good fortune. The stems have a topknot of lacy leaves that adds flair. Although this flexible plant isn’t technically bamboo—a it’s dracaena—it grows in so many different sizes and shapes that it can fit into any room or décor. They grow quite slowly and thrive in dim light.
Care advice: Even those who like the shade enjoy summertime outdoor travel. In the middle of summer, move the lucky bamboo to a spot on your porch or yard that faces north.
Snake Plant
This low-maintenance houseplant is known by a variety of oddly descriptive names, including snake plant (kids love this name) and mother-in-tongue law’s (mothers-in-law shouldn’t enjoy this name). The low-light-loving snake plant species has a wide range of leaf morphologies, including wide and short, narrow and long, and even cylindrical leaves that resemble tiny spikes. This low-maintenance plant also comes in a variety of hues, from green leaves flecked with lighter hues to green leaves with white, yellow, and green stripes.
Low-light plants shouldn’t be overwatered; most dark-side residents prefer it to be on the dry side.
Corn Plant
Corn plants are great if you like a little drama in your indoor plant option! This striking houseplant is also known as mass cane due to its towering cane-like trunk and green, corn-like foliage. This dracanena species has vibrant dark green leaves with a pale green line. Due to its ability to thrive in both high and low light conditions, corn plants are the perfect plant for any décor. It won’t fail anywhere you put it. With the yellow-and-green cultivar “Sol Cane,” a dark area can be made cheerier.
Care advice: Corn plants grow more slowly and may have less lime-green colour in darker areas. If you want to make the color stand out, spend some time in a brighter area before going back to a low light region.
Spider Plant
chromorophytum comosum This hard-working houseplant grows nicely in low light and is spiky, full, and traditional. Because it sprouts new plants at its extremities, it is also known as the “airplane plant” (kids LOVE this plant because you can repot the babies to make more plants). Make a mounding tabletop plant out of a spider plant or place it in a hanging basket. Also, put it in an urn. It thrives in restrooms, dark bedrooms, and halls. To provide a frilly base to taller plants (like corn plants), place miniature spider plants there.
Care advice: Boost the humidity surrounding the plant if the tips of your spider plant’s leaves start to turn brown. Take scissors and trim the brown tips off.
Ponytail Palm
The Beaucarnea recurvata Ponytail palm is a quirky and sculpture-like plant with a stocky vehicle topped with a frilly topknot of strap-like leaves. Because of its substantial base, which resembles the foot of a pachyderm, the plant is also known as elephant’s foot palm. Ponytail plants come in a variety of sizes, from little tabletop plants to huge tree-sized variants. This low-maintenance houseplant can live for weeks without drinking since the base stores moisture, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to water it. In fact, this plant’s leaves might become yellow if they are overwatered.
Ponytail palm can grow in a range of lighting settings, from low to brilliant, thanks to its extreme adaptability.
Arrowhead Plant
Podophyllum Syngonium Beautifully huge arrow-shaped leaves with a variety of colors, including green, green-and-white (variegated), and bronze, are produced by this vining houseplant. When young, arrowhead plants grow into a lovely mound, but as they become older, they start to resemble vines more, making them perfect for cascading from hanging baskets or being trained to climb a trellis. Simply pinch back the vines if you prefer how compact they are. Add this leafy buddy to dens and bedrooms as it can endure low light levels.
Care tip: For low-light areas, arrowhead plants with fewer variegated and all-green leaves work best.
Calathea
Calathea has a positive outlook that is unaffected by dim areas. The dark green leaves of these leafy plants that prefer low light have scalloped edges and silver accents. A leaf’s deep purple color is revealed when it is turned over. They can grow up to 3 feet tall, so they make great table toppers and floor plants. Calathea gives dens and bedrooms lovely texture and color. They are extremely low maintenance and slow growing.
Care advice: Calathea needs extra humidity if the tips of the leaves are dry. To improve the humidity around the plant, place it on a tray filled with water and pebbles.
Monstera
The delicious monstera This big-leaf beauty will bring a splash of tropical lushness to any space. The Swiss cheese plant’s common name comes from its huge, 2-foot-wide leaves that have several deep cuts or holes. When plants are small, they form lovely mounds; as they become bigger, they start to resemble vines. Trim leggy growth from plants to keep them compact. Although it is not a true philodendron, monstera, which is native to the jungles of Mexico, is occasionally referred to as split-leaf philodendron because of the heart-shaped new leaves.
Care advice: Monstera grows more slowly in low light, but as it ages, it will need something to climb on, like a moss stick.
Is shade or the sun preferable for bamboo?
Bamboo comes in two varieties: clumping and running. Bamboo that forms clumps grows in clumps. The lengthy underground stems, or rhizomes, that running bamboos have allow them to colonize new ground.
For the most part, bamboos prefer moist, well-drained soil. They can be cultivated in most soil types, however some like acidic soil; stay away from damp, bog, and arid environments. Although most kinds of bamboo enjoy sunlight, some, like Sasa bamboos, may be cultivated in shadow. Bamboo should be planted in the spring to support the growth of strong roots and canes before going dormant in the fall. Throughout the growing season, fertilize the plants with a balanced fertilizer. You should also let some bamboo leaves pile around the base of the plants since they return nutrients, notably silica, to the roots, assisting the plants in remaining robust and healthy.
Does bamboo love the sun?
With a few exceptions, most bamboo prefers to grow in full light. As a result, bamboo will grow the majority of its foliage at the top of the plant, where it receives the most sunlight. The bamboo will grow healthy, bushy leaves all the way to the ground if it is free-standing and receives plenty of sunlight at its base.
The lowest levels of the culms of bamboo will receive little sunlight when they are planted near to one another or in the shade of other trees, which inhibits the growth of leaves there. The bamboo only invests energy in growing foliage where there is adequate sunshine and a high likelihood of photosynthesis.
Bamboo grows higher than it would in full sun, which is another growth trait brought on by growing in the shade. The bamboo will try to get more light by growing taller since it desires it. The identical kind of bamboo grown in full sun will always grow higher than one grown in the shade.
Understanding these two growth characteristics is crucial since a particular bamboo species’ appearance can vary greatly depending on how much sunlight it receives. They will grow taller and less bushy at the bottom if planted in shaded places or near together. They will be shorter and have thicker, bushier foliage that extends all the way to the ground if they are planted in full light and are set far apart.
By chopping the bamboo’s tops off, you can encourage more leaves to grow at the lower levels of the plant, allowing more light to reach the ground. More light can also be “allowed into” the clump by simply thinned out the bamboo by removing old culms (cutting them off entirely at ground level). Given that you will be removing culms, this could be a bit of a catch-22 (and thus reducing the amount of foliage). However, the additional foliar development that the additional light will foster will more than make up for this by illuminating the remaining bamboo culms.