Lucky bamboo (*Dracaena sanderiana*) is a commonly cultivated houseplant grown hydroponically or in soil. While its stalks resemble a true bamboo plant, the [lucky bamboo](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-care-for-lucky-bamboo) plant is actually a part of the Asparagaceae family. Lucky bamboo has deep roots in feng shui—an ancient Chinese philosophy that dates back to the ninth-century BC—and is thus traditionally given as a gift to promote good luck, good fortune, love, health, and growth.
A healthy lucky bamboo plant should have dark to bright-green leaves and stems. If the plant’s stem or leaves are turning yellow, it could be for several different reasons, including:

1. __Too much sunlight__: A lucky bamboo plant needs bright but filtered sunlight, similar to the light beneath the canopy of a tropical forest. Lucky bamboo often turns yellow if it sits in a window with too much direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves and stress the plant.
2. __Excessive fertilizer__: Another potential cause for discoloration or wilting leaves is an excess of fertilizer. A lucky bamboo plant only needs a light dose of fertilizer once or twice a year. 
3. __Lack of water__: Lucky bamboo can survive simply by submerging the bottom of the canes in water. When planted in soil, lucky bamboo can dry out fairly quickly—this can stress the plant, causing the leaves to turn yellow, wilt, and die. 
4. __Poor-quality water__: Lucky bamboo plants are sensitive to additives in many municipal water sources, such as chlorine and fluoride. Try using bottled, filtered, or distilled water on your lucky bamboo plant if you've been using tap water.
5. __Incorrect temperature__: Lucky bamboo plants are tropical and grow best in warm temperatures. As a houseplant, it will usually do fine in growing environments of sixty-five to ninety degrees Fahrenheit. Heating or cooling vents can stress a plant, so be sure to place them away from sources of heat and air-conditioning.
6. __Pest infestation__: Yellowing leaves on lucky bamboo stalks can be due to an insect infestation. Common culprits include spider mites and [aphids](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-aphids), which are very small. Close inspection with a magnifying glass will usually reveal these pests.

Several factors could cause a lucky bamboo plant to yellow, so treating the plant requires a bit of trial and error. Consider the following lucky bamboo care guidelines to mitigate yellowing leaves:

1. __Prune your plant__. Remove yellow leaves by gently pulling them away from the stalk.
2. __Move your plant__. Transport your plant to an area with indirect light or its orientation toward the sun. If you notice that your lucky bamboo is growing in the direction of the sun, it’s in a good position—this is a natural behavior. Cultivators even use the sun to shape these plants.
3. __Use a new water source__. A good early intervention is to change out the water. If your plant is growing in water, throw out the old water and use fresh water. Stagnant water can allow microorganisms to cause [root rot](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/root-rot).
4. __Limit the use of fertilizer__. Overfertilization can cause your lucky bamboo to turn yellow. If you fertilize your plant, try limiting the amount of fertilizer and the frequency of application.
5. __Inspect your plant for pests__. Closely inspect your plants with a magnifying glass to look for pests. If you find them, try using a solution of water and rubbing alcohol or a mixture of vegetable soap and water to clear them away.
6. __Trim the yellow stem__. Before the entire plant turns yellow, trim away as many of the yellow parts as you can, and put what remains in fresh, clean water.
True bamboo plants from the subfamily *Bambusoideae* can also turn yellow. In many bamboo species, the canes, also known as culms, naturally turn yellow with age and sun exposure and do not indicate a problem. Similarly, older bamboo leaves will turn yellow and fall off as the plant grows and new leaves sprout every season. 

If your bamboo plant has excessive yellowing leaves, it may be due to overwatering, underwatering, or a lack of nutrition. Be sure to plant bamboo in soil with good drainage, water it consistently, and apply organic compost annually to supply nutrients.
Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.
If your lucky bamboo turns yellow, read below to learn about different ways to treat the plant.

If your lucky bamboo turns yellow, read below to learn about different ways to treat the plant.

Lucky Bamboo Turning Yellow? 6 Causes and Treatments

Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is a commonly cultivated houseplant grown hydroponically or in soil. While its stalks resemble a true bamboo plant, the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-care-for-lucky-bamboo' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-care-for-lucky-bamboo","linkCopy":"lucky bamboo","category":null}'>lucky bamboo</a> plant is actually a part of the Asparagaceae family. Lucky bamboo has deep roots in feng shui—an ancient Chinese philosophy that dates back to the ninth-century BC—and is thus traditionally given as a gift to promote good luck, good fortune, love, health, and growth.

What Is Lucky Bamboo? 

A healthy lucky bamboo plant should have dark to bright-green leaves and stems. If the plant’s stem or leaves are turning yellow, it could be for several different reasons, including:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Too much sunlight: A lucky bamboo plant needs bright but filtered sunlight, similar to the light beneath the canopy of a tropical forest. Lucky bamboo often turns yellow if it sits in a window with too much direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves and stress the plant. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Excessive fertilizer: Another potential cause for discoloration or wilting leaves is an excess of fertilizer. A lucky bamboo plant only needs a light dose of fertilizer once or twice a year. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Lack of water: Lucky bamboo can survive simply by submerging the bottom of the canes in water. When planted in soil, lucky bamboo can dry out fairly quickly—this can stress the plant, causing the leaves to turn yellow, wilt, and die. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Poor-quality water: Lucky bamboo plants are sensitive to additives in many municipal water sources, such as chlorine and fluoride. Try using bottled, filtered, or distilled water on your lucky bamboo plant if you&#39;ve been using tap water. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Incorrect temperature: Lucky bamboo plants are tropical and grow best in warm temperatures. As a houseplant, it will usually do fine in growing environments of sixty-five to ninety degrees Fahrenheit. Heating or cooling vents can stress a plant, so be sure to place them away from sources of heat and air-conditioning. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Pest infestation: Yellowing leaves on lucky bamboo stalks can be due to an insect infestation. Common culprits include spider mites and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-aphids' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-aphids","linkCopy":"aphids","category":null}'>aphids</a>, which are very small. Close inspection with a magnifying glass will usually reveal these pests. </li></ol>

6 Causes for Lucky Bamboo Plant Turning Yellow

Several factors could cause a lucky bamboo plant to yellow, so treating the plant requires a bit of trial and error. Consider the following lucky bamboo care guidelines to mitigate yellowing leaves:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Prune your plant. Remove yellow leaves by gently pulling them away from the stalk. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Move your plant. Transport your plant to an area with indirect light or its orientation toward the sun. If you notice that your lucky bamboo is growing in the direction of the sun, it’s in a good position—this is a natural behavior. Cultivators even use the sun to shape these plants. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Use a new water source. A good early intervention is to change out the water. If your plant is growing in water, throw out the old water and use fresh water. Stagnant water can allow microorganisms to cause <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/root-rot' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/root-rot","linkCopy":"root rot","category":null}'>root rot</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Limit the use of fertilizer. Overfertilization can cause your lucky bamboo to turn yellow. If you fertilize your plant, try limiting the amount of fertilizer and the frequency of application. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Inspect your plant for pests. Closely inspect your plants with a magnifying glass to look for pests. If you find them, try using a solution of water and rubbing alcohol or a mixture of vegetable soap and water to clear them away. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Trim the yellow stem. Before the entire plant turns yellow, trim away as many of the yellow parts as you can, and put what remains in fresh, clean water. </li></ol>

How to Treat Yellow Lucky Bamboo 

True bamboo plants from the subfamily Bambusoideae can also turn yellow. In many bamboo species, the canes, also known as culms, naturally turn yellow with age and sun exposure and do not indicate a problem. Similarly, older bamboo leaves will turn yellow and fall off as the plant grows and new leaves sprout every season. If your bamboo plant has excessive yellowing leaves, it may be due to overwatering, underwatering, or a lack of nutrition. Be sure to plant bamboo in soil with good drainage, water it consistently, and apply organic compost annually to supply nutrients.

Can Real Bamboo Yellow?

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described &quot;Gangster Gardener.&quot; Get the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.

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If your lucky bamboo turns yellow, read below to learn about different ways to treat the plant.

If your lucky bamboo turns yellow, read below to learn about different ways to treat the plant.
