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The plant said to enhance happiness and luck in the home

Three stalks of lucky bamboo in a harmonious arrangement are sure to inspire goodwill.
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Water, wood, fire, earth, and metal—the five elements of feng shui—are said to promote harmony in our homes when combined and placed appropriately.

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Whether you follow feng shui principles or not, three stalks of lucky bamboo may very well enhance your happiness, especially when you discover they require little maintenance.

Lucky bamboo doesn’t need direct sunlight—perfect for most indoor settings—and it doesn’t require soil. Assemble this quick arrangement incorporating the five elements and see if you encounter happiness and abundance. With these helpful tips and tricks, you’ll have a peaceful display to accent your space!

Is It Really Bamboo?

Although it is somewhat similar in appearance to bamboo, lucky bamboo is actually Dracaena sanderiana, a native of West Africa. Often found in garden centres and florist shops, lucky bamboo can be shaped by twisting and looping the stems when they are young and slender. The cut canes will grow in soil or water and stay healthy with an occasional dose of fertilizer. If potted in pebbles and water, as shown in this project, change the water completely every two weeks, and add liquid fertilizer for aquatic plants (available at pets stores). To fertilize lucky bamboo that is growing in soil, use the aquatic plant fertilizer monthly when watering.

What You Need

  • Pruning shears or flower snips
  • Three stalks of lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
  • Small red vase
  • Small clean pebbles
  • Several large pebbles
  • Wood tray
  • Metal goldfish figurine
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Step 1: Cut Stems

Taking a pair of pruning shears or flower snips, cut the lucky bamboo stems into three different lengths. You will want to make the longest stem about 2½ times the height of the vase. Differentiating the heights of the bamboo gives your peaceful display aestetic appeal and texture.

Step 2: Arrange in Vase

Arrange the bamboo in a cluster at the center of the vase. Then, pour the small pebbles around the base of the stems, filling the vase nearly to the top. Add in fresh water to just below the top of the pebbles to settle the plant into its new home.

Step 3: Create Your Display

Place the vase at one end of the wood tray. Arrange the remaining small and large pebbles on the tray and position the goldfish among the pebbles. Place the arrangement in a spot with indirect light. Drain the plant’s water every two weeks and replace with fresh water.

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