Striped dragonplant (Dracaena sanderiana) care guide

Group

Plants

Other names

Lucky bamboo, Ribbon dracaena, Sander's dracaena, Curly bamboo, Chinese water bamboo, Belgian evergreen, Pleomele sanderiana

Family

Asparagaceae (asparagus family)

Origin

Central or West Africa (sources differ)

Water

freshwater

Maximum size

100 cm

Temperature

18–30°C

Care level

expert

Lighting

Bright, filtered light (grown out of water)

Care

Warning: Lucky bamboo is a land (or at most bog) plant, not a true aquatic plant. Kept fully underwater it slowly weakens and dies, often over several months, so it is best grown emersed in a paludarium or with only its roots in water. Dracaena sanderiana is the houseplant sold as "lucky bamboo", although it is not a bamboo. It is a perennial from tropical Africa with a fleshy, cane-like stem and slightly twisted grey-green leaves up to about 23 cm long, reaching about 1 m tall. It likes bright but filtered light, as under a forest canopy. Our source covers growing it in soil and says nothing about aquarium use. It is often sold with its stems standing in water, and that is the right way to use it with an aquarium: stand the canes with the roots in the water and the leaves in the air, for example in a hang-on planter or the land area of a paludarium. Fully submerged, the leaves rot. Trim tall stems now and then, as they get top-heavy. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracaenasanderiana); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Cut the stem just above a node at any time of year; the cutting roots readily in water or moist compost, and the stump sends out new shoots.

Compatibility and tank mates

Do not sell or buy this as a true aquarium plant. It belongs in a paludarium, terrarium or on a windowsill with its roots in water, out of reach of fish. Roots dangling in the water are harmless to fish and give shrimp and fry somewhere to hide.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.