Lucky bamboos are quite the rustic plants to have in your home.
Unfortunately, however, they do have the problem of discoloration and yellowing if not cared for appropriately.
This article will walk you through some of the reasons why your lucky bamboo may be turning yellow and, then, we can discuss ways to fix the problem without having to leave the house.
Lucky Bamboo Turning Yellow? Problems + Homemade Solutions!
1 – Irregular Watering
Both underwatering and overwatering your lucky bamboo can lead to yellowing and discoloration. Too much water suffocates and spoils the root, which triggers yellowing in the plant, whereas too little water just dries out the plant causing it to develop a shade of yellow/brown.
If your watering routine is rather irregular and you just water the plant whenever you want, don’t be surprised if it begins to display signs of discoloration and stress.
Solution
First, make a fixed watering routine through trial and error to figure out how much water is sufficient for your lucky bamboo to thrive. Many people like to grow the plant in water, and, in that case, frequent water changes are crucial.
Also, ensure the pot your lucky bamboo is planted in has sufficient drainage holes for excess water to flow out.
2 – Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium deficiency is an alarming problem since it is an essential nutrient that often isn’t present in regular dirt (or at least not in meaningful quantities).
The most obvious sign of magnesium deficiency in a plant is discoloration, so this could explain your yellowing lucky bamboo.
Solution
Thankfully, there is a good way to deal with this deficiency at home and that is by using an Epsom salt solution. Simply put a quarter of a teaspoon of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and water your lucky bamboo with it once every 2-3 weeks or as needed.
3- Pest Takeover
Aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs pose a serious threat to lucky bamboos. They can take over the stem and leaves and destroy the plant inside out.
Although pest growth is unlikely if you’ve kept the plant indoors, there’s still a chance the little creatures caught on while you were away or perhaps not fulfilling your responsibility of taking care of the plant.
Solution
Anyhow, there are ways to inhibit pest infestation in your lucky bamboo. The simplest and most effective method is using neem oil. Just put 1 whole tablespoon of neem oil in a gallon of water and spray your plants with it often to ward off any destructive pests and insects.
4 – Root Rot
Root rot can often present itself in the form of discoloration and yellowing in the plant. It can be caused by tightly packed soil that doesn’t allow for enough air circulation or, if the plant is growing in water, late or no water changes.
As a result, roots can become very mushy, and your lucky bamboo leaves will begin to turn yellow.
Solution
The solution for root rot is quite simple. Add 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water and soak the spoiled roots in this solution every once in a while. In just a few soaking sessions, the roots should begin to firm up and appear alive again.
Final Words
The lucky bamboo is a plant that requires a lot of attention, so having it indoors or at least near your home gives you the ability to control variables that may affect the plant’s growth.
Unfortunately, however, they’re quite susceptible to yellowing and discoloration which can be caused by a plethora of underlying reasons.
The 4 we discussed in this article are the most common and, for most people, it’s neglecting one of these 4 factors that is costing them their lucky bamboo’s health and longevity.
