Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
Heart shaped bamboo plant, also referred to as bamboo hearts, heart shape lucky bamboo, sweet heart bamboo plant, bamboo heart plant, or lucky bamboo heart, forms the shape of a heart and is regarded as lucky bamboo. Despite its name, this plant is not a bamboo. It belongs to the Dracaena family of plants, which have long been symbols of good luck and success in Asian cultures. Love is further emphasized by the heart-shaped bamboo.
Setting up your heart shaped bamboo plant isn’t difficult, but there are certain things you need to keep in mind if you want it to thrive, and those include temperature, light, water, and the soil you choose to use. Of course, before you do anything else, you need to get your hands on one of these plants so you can start with step one!
Your heart shaped bamboo plant, which originates from Southeast Asia, will thrive with proper care and attention. A few simple tips will help you give your plant the life it deserves.
Offered below are instructions on how to care for a heart shaped bamboo plant, one of the most unique-looking plants on the market today. Of course, it’s not all looks with this plant! It actually comes with some very good benefits as well.
Learn more about heart shaped bamboo plant care and what this plant can do for you!
Origin and distribution
Heart shaped bamboo is a beautiful plant native to Thailand, Cambodia, and other parts of southeast Asia. It’s also grown as an ornamental plant in Hawaii and is used for decorative purposes in many areas. One of its most well-known features is that it bears heart-shaped leaves at its base.
The combination of glossy green foliage, heart-shaped leaves, and pink flowers makes heart-shaped bamboo popular as an ornamental plant for home landscaping. However, heart-shaped bamboo requires little maintenance once established. This makes it an ideal plant for beginners who are just learning how to care for plants. With proper care, your bamboo heart plant will be growing strong and healthy for years to come!
Contrary to what you might think, these hardy plants do not require much watering or attention once they are established in their pots or garden beds.
Heart shaped bamboo plant propagation
To grow a heart shaped bamboo plant, you can divide it. The division is done during repotting or when a single clump becomes too large for its pot. Propagation can be done by cutting off an internode and rooting it in water. The process to root it varies with different species of bamboo, but generally involves sticking it in water and waiting for roots to form. Once it has developed roots, you can transplant your new heart shaped bamboo plant into the soil.
Heart shaped bamboo plant care information
Heart shaped bamboo plants are commonly used in decorative displays and can be trimmed at any time for a whole new look. However, due to their fragility, they should not be transported from one place to another. If you need to move it from one location to another, it is best that you hire someone who specializes in indoor gardening to do so. In order for your heart shaped bamboo plant’s leaves and shoots to look full and green, make sure that you water it regularly.
Light requirement
Like other houseplants, heart-shaped bamboo needs bright, indirect light. Grow your plant near a sunny window if possible, or place it under a grow light on its own stand. Never put your plant under direct sunlight; even if you like to keep windowsills as sunny as possible, that kind of sun exposure is too intense for houseplants.
Soil/potting mix
Soil for bamboo plants needs to be free of fertilizer, as most fertilizers can actually kill bamboo plants. It should also have a pH between 6 and 7. If you cannot find soil specifically formulated for bamboos, mix compost, peat moss, and sand together in equal parts. Be sure to rinse off all soil before adding it to your planter so there’s no chance of fertilizer residue being left behind that could do harm to your plant.
Watering
At first, it is best to water your plant twice a week, if possible. The soil should be moist but not soaked. For example, you should be able to stick your finger into it easily. Then gradually move towards giving it more care by watering once every 5 days and then finally once a week. When watering your plant, remember that moisture is more important than frequency; you want to keep your soil evenly moist rather than completely soaked one day and bone dry on another day.
Fertilizer
Giving your heart shaped bamboo plant plenty of fertilizer can make it grow quickly. Make sure to apply nitrogen-rich fertilizers a few times during its growing season. Don’t overdo it, though—too much fertilizer will damage your plant and stunt its growth.
You should fertilize your plant at least once per month, but never more than three times. If you’re using organic fertilizers such as compost or worm castings, don’t apply them more than twice during each growing season. The best time to fertilize is right after you transplant your heart shaped bamboo plant into new soil because that’s when it needs nutrients most.
Be careful not to overwater your plant while fertilizing—this could cause root rot and kill off your plant. And remember, water only when the top 1/2 inch of soil feels dry. Also, avoid overwatering!
Temperature
Heart shaped bamboo plants thrive in temperature ranges between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with 68 being optimal. Place your heart bamboo plant near a south-facing window or an area of your home that receives plenty of sunlight. You can also place it near a lit candle to give it extra warmth in cold months.
In warmer months, you may want to move your heart shaped bamboo plant into an area that’s slightly cooler. If you live in a humid climate, consider placing your bamboo plant on top of a tray filled with pebbles and water; as moisture evaporates from the tray, it will help keep humidity levels low around your houseplant.
Humidity
Consider placing your heart-shaped bamboo in a humid setting if you are growing it outdoors. Humidity levels that range from 50 to 60 percent, as measured with a humidity gauge or hygrometer, should help ensure that your plant’s leaves don’t shrivel up and wither away. Be sure to provide plenty of air circulation for your plant so it doesn’t become waterlogged and moldy.
Pruning
It’s a good idea to trim back your heart shaped bamboo plant to keep it healthy and allow more light and air circulation through its foliage. When you prune, make sure you’re using clean, sharp scissors, or shears. The goal is to cut back only dead leaves without wounding your plant’s stems or trunks. Wear gardening gloves and work carefully! This process should be painless for both you and your heart shaped bamboo plant.
When to repot
It’s been a while since you planted your heart-shaped bamboo plant. The roots are entangled and wrapped around each other, making it hard to tell where one starts and another ends. They’re growing out of control! Maybe it’s time for some repotting. Don’t worry, though—it’s not as hard as it sounds. You just need to follow these steps:
1) Remove any dead or dying leaves;
2) Dig up the root ball with a shovel;
3) Clean off any excess dirt on top of and underneath roots;
4) Replant in a new pot with fresh soil;
5) Water thoroughly. That’s all there is to it!
Dormancy
Heart shaped bamboo is a tropical variety, so it can be easily damaged by temperatures below 55 degrees F. It’s best to keep your heart bamboo indoors until it has acclimated to warmer weather. If you do bring your plant outside in cold weather, it’s best to bring it back inside before temperatures drop below 40 degrees F. At night, a glass of water next to your heart shaped bamboo plant will help maintain humidity for increased health and longevity.
Flowers & fragrance
The fragrant flowers of heart shaped bamboo plant has a sweet, pleasant scent that is reminiscent of hyacinth. This woody perennial grows in warm regions and blooms from March to May. The large, white, heart-shaped flowers are often used for bridal bouquets and other floral arrangements. Bamboo plants can be grown indoors as houseplants in pots or on a windowsill.
Growth rate
Heart shaped bamboo usually grows at a very fast rate. It will grow to 6 feet tall in as little as 5 years. After that, it will only grow 2-3 inches per year unless you plant it in an area with high humidity and good drainage. Be sure to prune any dead or damaged shoots from your plant once every few months to keep it growing evenly. The leaves of your bamboo may become discolored if it does not receive enough light or enough water.
Toxicity
Heart shaped bamboo plant is also toxic if ingested by animals and humans, so ensure you grow it away from places where pets or children play. In addition, take care when handling your plant.
USDA hardiness zones
The heart shaped bamboo plant thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12. While it can survive temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit, it will not thrive at these temperatures. For optimal growth, keep your plant above 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is possible to grow a heart shaped bamboo plant indoors, but you will need to be sure that you have a room with plenty of natural light and good air circulation. You may also want to invest in a grow light if you plan on keeping your plant indoors year-round.
Pests and diseases
Disease and pests can be especially problematic when you grow something small like a heart shaped bamboo plant, since it might not be as obvious if something is wrong. If you’re trying to care for a heart shaped bamboo plant yourself, keep an eye out for spots on its leaves that may indicate pests or disease. For example, you could have spider mites in your home—and not even know it!
They are very tiny but visible with a magnifying glass; they look like little dots moving around on your plants. You should also take note of any signs of wilt or discoloration in your heart shaped bamboo plant; these are other signs of pest infestation. Finally, check for any unusual smells coming from your plant; many diseases cause off-putting odors.
Conclusion
Ultimately, what makes heart shaped bamboo plants so attractive to homeowners is their unique appearance and their ease of growth. For these reasons, they make a great gift for any occasion from birthdays to housewarming parties.
Just be sure to keep them properly watered, and they will provide you with years of entertainment as they grow. Heart shaped plants are fun and easy to grow; just follow the above instructions to care for them properly!
