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Bamboo is a beautiful plant that can require a lot of effort and time. But never fear! Keeping your bamboo adequately watered can ensure that it stays healthy and vibrant. You can easily water bamboo that is growing either in soil or in a pot with gravel or pebbles.
Steps
Keeping Bamboo in Moist Soil
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1Mist the soil every two days. Fill a clean spray bottle with distilled water or rainwater. Then spray a light mist of water over your bamboo every two days. Misting your bamboo regularly can keep it from getting soggy or drying out.[1]
- Distilled water and rainwater are the best choices to water and mist your bamboo. Bamboo is sensitive to the salts and chemicals in tap water.[2]
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2Feel the soil for moisture. Every 3-4 days, stick your finger into the bamboo soil until it touches your first knuckle. Wiggle your finger around to see if the soil feels dry or moist. Mist or water your bamboo’s soil if it feels dry.[3]Advertisement
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3Add water to the bamboo planter weekly. Every 7-10 days, pour a small amount of water into your bamboo potter. Let the water drain into the soil for a minute and then check the moisture again with your finger. Add more water until your plant feels sufficiently moist.[4]
- Bamboo is sensitive to water levels and doesn’t like to be soggy. Pour out any excess water from the planter if you add too much.[5]
EXPERT TIPMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran
Home & Garden SpecialistWater new young bamboo plants more often. You should water them twice a week in the summer, or even more often if the temperature increases.
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4Ensure your plant drainage is working properly. Remove any blockages that keep the water from draining easily through the planter. See if there are holes in mulch, stones, or other coverage you’ve put on top of bamboo plants in the ground.
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5Tailor water amounts to location and season. Water your bamboo 3-5 times per week in the summer or if you live in a hot climate.[8] In the winter or in cold climates, reduce how often you water your plants to every 7-10 days. Ensure that the soil is moist in any season or climate by feeling it with your finger.[9]
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6Retain moisture with mulch. Spread a 2- to 3-in (5- to 7-cm) layer of mulch over the bamboo soil. Having a layer of mulch can help your bamboo retain moisture throughout the year and promote proper drainage.[10]
Hydrating Bamboo in Water
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1Ensure the bamboo roots are under water. Check your bamboo plant every day. Inspect the roots, which may be covered in pebbles, gravel, or even marbles. Make sure that the roots and the bottom part of the stem are submerged in water.[11]
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2Add water to keep the level constant. If you notice the roots aren’t covered, pour water into the bamboo planter until it covers them. Water the entire plant every 7-10 days to ensure the roots stay submerged.[12]
- Add water more often in summer or if you live in a hot climate.
- You can use tap, distilled, or rain water in your bamboo planter. If you use tap water, let it sit overnight to allow chlorine, which can harm your bamboo, to evaporate.[13]
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3Change out the entire water supply every two weeks. Pour out the bamboo planter water and any drainage pebbles, gravel, or marbles every couple of weeks. Clean the planter and drainage props with clean, filtered, or bottled mineral water. Add them and your bamboo back to the planter and refill it with freshly collected rainwater, filtered water, or distilled water.[14]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan a bamboo plant grow in just water?
Maggie MoranMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Home & Garden SpecialistYes, Lucky Bamboo is a type of bamboo that grows hydroponically (in water).
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionHow much sun does a bamboo plant need?Maggie MoranMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Home & Garden SpecialistBamboo does well in both sun or shade, although certain types of bamboo can experience burnt leaves if they get too much direct sunlight.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionHow often should you water newly planted bamboo?Maggie MoranMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Home & Garden SpecialistWater younger plants twice a week until they become established. If it's very hot, water them more often.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
References
- ↑ http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/flower-plant-care/plant-care/caring-for-lucky-bamboo-dracaena-sanderiana/
- ↑ http://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/dracaena-sanderiana
- ↑ http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/flower-plant-care/plant-care/caring-for-lucky-bamboo-dracaena-sanderiana/
- ↑ http://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/dracaena-sanderiana
- ↑ http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/flower-plant-care/plant-care/caring-for-lucky-bamboo-dracaena-sanderiana/
- ↑ http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/flower-plant-care/plant-care/caring-for-lucky-bamboo-dracaena-sanderiana/
- ↑ http://www.costafarms.com/plants/lucky-bamboo
- ↑ http://www.bamboogarden.com/care.htm
- ↑ http://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/dracaena-sanderiana
- ↑ http://www.bamboogarden.com/care.htm
- ↑ http://www.costafarms.com/plants/lucky-bamboo
- ↑ https://www.almanac.com/blog/gardening/garden-journal/how-grow-lucky-bamboo
- ↑ http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/flower-plant-care/plant-care/caring-for-lucky-bamboo-dracaena-sanderiana/
- ↑ http://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/dracaena-sanderiana
About This Article
If your bamboo is planted in soil, fill a clean spray bottle with distilled water or rainwater, then spray a light mist of water over your bamboo every 2 days. Every 3-4 days, stick your finger into the soil, and mist the soil if it feels dry. Bamboo plants don’t like to be soggy, so other than misting it, you should only add water to the planter once every 7-10 days. If you’re growing your bamboo in water, make sure the roots are always underwater. Keep reading to learn tips from our horticulture reviewer how often to change the water in your underwater bamboo plant.
