Bamboo Plant Turning Yellow

Bamboo houseplant, popularly known as lucky bamboo is actually not a bamboo at all but a resilient member of the lily family, which is capable of growing in dark or low-lit environment. Due this ability, it is found in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and Africa. The botanical name for lucky bamboo is Dracaena. Dracaena or lucky bamboo houseplant makes a perfect houseplant or office plant because of its low maintenance. However, improper care can lead to some problems; one of them is bamboo plant turning yellow. Mostly, you can see the leaves turning yellow. However, in some worse cases the bamboo plant stalk also can be observed as turning yellow. Let us look at the reasons behind what causes a bamboo plant to turn yellow, and the solutions to recover the plant's health.

What Causes a Lucky Bamboo Plant Leaves to Turn Yellow?

Here are the reasons which could be causing the leaves of the bamboo plant to turn yellow, and the measures you can take when lucky bamboo leaves are turning yellow.

Environment Problem: Sometimes the leaves of the plant will turn yellow, if the proper environmental care factors like light, heat, humidity are not maintained. In such a case you observe the tips of the leaves turning yellow. In such a case you will have to cut the leaves and for cutting lucky bamboo use a sharp clean pair of scissors.

Water Related Problems: This is a common problem which results in the leaves turning yellow. In case you observe brown tips, it means that the plant has not been provided water for long duration. Another problem could be occurring due usage of tap water contaminated with chemicals like fluoride or chlorine; in this case you can use spring water which is at room temperature.

Lack of Nutrients: Try adding a little mild bamboo fertilizer, to fortify the leaves and stems of the plant, and retain its nutritional balance to the optimum level.

Sunlight: Inadequate exposure or over exposure can also lead to yellowing and falling of the leaves. Make sure the plant is not kept in very cold temperatures or that you haven't placed the plant under AC vent. When container gardening lucky bamboo, make sure it is not placed at a location where it gets sunlight for prolonged hours, because this causes the problem of lucky bamboo leaves turning yellow due to sunburn.

What Causes a Lucky Bamboo Plant Stalk to Turn Yellow?

Here are the reasons which could result in the stalk or stem of the plant turning yellow, and the measures you can take when a lucky bamboo plant stalk or stem is turning yellow.

Water Problems: Make sure you are watering the plant adequately, as bamboo plant stalk turning yellow is caused commonly due to inadequate watering. Chemically polluted toxic water or chemical fertilizer can also lead to yellow stalks. Therefore, make sure you use gentle fertilizer and bottled spring water.

Cold Weather: During winter, if you observe the stalk turning yellow, then it is due to extremely low temperatures. For indoor gardening during winters, make sure you provide lucky bamboo lukewarm water, and keep it in a warm place.

Mites: If you observe webbing, brown sticky material on the leaves or stalk, it could be a sign pointing to mites problem. In such a case you can use a mild pesticide, or replace the plant, especially if it shows no progress even after using the pesticide.

Fungus: This is a very common problem in cheaply produced lucky bamboo plants. This causes premature death of the plant, which means you should always buy this plant from high quality suppliers. If you experience yellowing of stalk due to a fungal infection, then it is better to get rid of the plant.

Even after following the solutions, if the plant is not showing any progress, it is better to get rid of it. Sometimes if your plant is over 4 - 6 years of age, then the stalk will turn yellow because it is coming close to its natural death.