Growing Bamboo Indoors

Light is a critical determining factor in where to place a bamboo in the home. Check the size of the leaves for clues to the best setting for the plant. Low-light-tolerant varieties tend to have large leaves that make the most of the limited sun available for photosynthesis. Plants with smaller foliage need a brightly lit spot such as a window sill.

Bamboo does not have permanent leaves; it sheds at the onset of new growth. If the leaves start to look ragged, cut the foliage down to soil level, and in a few weeks you'll have an abundance of fresh growth.

To protect the roots from becoming waterlogged, fill a plastic saucer with loose gravel and set underneath the pot holding the bamboo. Place both the saucer and pot inside a waterproof, decorative container.

Lucky Bamboo Arrangement
An easy way to add the look of bamboo indoors is with cuttings from Dracaena sanderana, a bamboo look-alike that goes by the name "lucky bamboo." (figure A).

• Use a glass container to show off the texture and color of the rocks. Fill the bottom of the container with some river rocks.
  
• Tie a group of Dracaena stems together with an attractive ribbon and place in the center of the container (figure B).
  
• Stabilize with more rocks and add water.

Keep the arrangement out of direct light and change the water every other week.