How to Keep a Bamboo Plant Alive
Bamboo plants are one of the easiest plants to keep alive. They may look more exotic than regular houseplants, but their care instructions are not difficult at all. In fact, they often do best when just left alone for up to two weeks at a time. If you want to keep your bamboo plant alive and thriving, you'll need to know just a few simple tricks of the trade. They need little more than the right light conditions and some good quality water.
Do not use regular tap water in your plant's container. Regular tap water contains harmful chemicals that will damage or kill your plant. Bamboo does best in filtered water. If you're desperate for water and don't have access to a filter, fill an open container with tap water and let it sit for at least 2 days before using it. This will allow at least some of the chemicals to dissipate.
- Bamboo plants are one of the easiest plants to keep alive.
- If you're desperate for water and don't have access to a filter, fill an open container with tap water and let it sit for at least 2 days before using it.
Do not place your plant in direct sunlight, such as a sunny window. Bamboo plants are easily prone to sunburn and sun damage. The first signs of this damage are yellowing leaves with burned or brown looking tips and edges. Place your bamboo on a table, desk or counter in a room that gets a good amount of natural sunlight.
Keep the water level consistent. Check your plant often to make sure the water hasn't evaporated or been used up by the plant. Never let your bamboo plant's container dry up. Your plant needs 1 to 3 inches of water at all times, depending on size.
- Do not place your plant in direct sunlight, such as a sunny window.
- Check your plant often to make sure the water hasn't evaporated or been used up by the plant.
Change your water every 1 to 2 weeks. This includes gently removing the bamboo plant and its roots from the rocks that hold it up and rinsing the rocks as well. Changing the water prevents it from stagnating. Stagnant water smells bad, but more importantly, it harbors bacteria and fungus, which can rot your root system and kill your bamboo plant.
Fertilize 1 to 2 times per year. Bamboo plants do not need regular feedings. In fact, regular feedings are a quick way to kill off your plant. Add one to two drops of aquarium plant food to the fresh water you'll add after a water change. Regular houseplant food is too strong and must be deleted with at least ten parts water before used with bamboo. Even at that diluted strength, use only one to two drops.
- Change your water every 1 to 2 weeks.
- Add one to two drops of aquarium plant food to the fresh water you'll add after a water change.
Related Articles
References
Writer Bio
A Jill-of-all-trades, Lillian Downey is a certified Responsible Sexuality Educator, certified clinical phlebotomist and a certified non-profit administrator. She's also written extensively on gardening and cooking. She also authors blogs on nail art blog and women's self esteem.
