Best for Bamboo plant...water or potting soil? If water, how to keep from "slimy"

Question

Bamboo plant came in water but water gets slimy even with changing.Is there an inexpensive additive for the water or should I plant it in potting soil? What about feeding it?

Answer 1

If it's Lucky Bamboo you have it's not really bamboo.

Known for centuries as Lucky Bamboo, the plant is not a bamboo at all (botanical name: Dracaena) but a resilient member of the lily family that grows in the dark, tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia and Africa.

Open the link below for care and planting instructions.  it can be potted or grown in water.  If you grow it in water use distilled water chemically treated water from the faucet can kill it, or you can pour the city water in a container and let it sit for 24 hours before using it.  You should change the water weekly.  Keep the plant  out of direct sunlight but make sure it has lots of light.

http://www.chiff.com/a/lucky-bamboo.htm

Answer 2

Water is the best. Just change it every few days. I have 2 of them and they are now huge and I have always had them in water.

Answer 3

Potting soil is best for any plant.  Plants develop different root structures when grown in water.  The roots are not as hardy.  They are very delicate.  As a result, the plant cannot reach its' full potential when grown in water.

Answer 4

i have a bamboo plant too!!!!!!!! the truth is as wierd and uncleen as it looks the slime is actually recomended the bamboo will thrive in the water and any chemicals can be harmful to it it actually says if you an aquarium that when you change the water in the aquarium put the old used fishy water in the bamboo jar or dish it really helps thats what i do it iis know thriving i had to ask the same question a while back please do this your plant will become more health in water with algea.  Also make sure if you change the water to either let it sit still for 24 hours or you can used natural spring bottled water also your plant will need light like all plants but do not give it direct sunlight this will brown the leaves if your leaves start turning a brownish yellow color this could mean there is too much water or too much sunlight

hope this helps!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Those bamboo things are also famous here in sunny California for coming with free mosquito larvae so frequent water changes are a great idea.  

Their scientific name is Dracaena sanderiana.

Answer 6

I can't see any problem putting the bamboo in potting soil. After all the plant was growing in the ground originally. however this plant is not a true bamboo but a sedge that is used to living in moist places so be sure that the pot remains moist - I think it will suffer if the soil dries out.