Is Lucky Bamboo Tough Enough to Survive Outside?

Are you wondering about growing lucky bamboo outside? If yes, then we can help with this. Just read our article thoroughly, and you will find answers to all your questions regarding this topic.

Lucky bamboo is an attractive and low-maintenance plant that can thrive in various conditions. It is also believed to bring positive energy and good fortune to its surroundings, making it a popular choice for home and office decor.

Additionally, lucky bamboo is a long-lasting plant that can be grown and enjoyed for many years.

Many people grow lucky bamboo outside to give this plant more access to natural sunlight and fresh air. But more importantly, growing lucky bamboo outdoors gives them more space to spread out and develop to their full potential, which can be challenging when growing them indoors.

The following paragraphs will tell you everything about growing lucky bamboo outside.

Sound good?

Let’s dive in!

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Can Lucky Bamboo Grow Outside?

Lucky bamboo can be grown outside in some climates, but it is not hardy enough to survive in all outdoor conditions. This plant is native to the tropical rainforests of Asia, where it grows under the shade of giant trees. This makes it more acclimated to warm, humid conditions and less adapted to frost or extreme temperatures.

Throughout my experience with these plants, I found success growing them indoors in a pot or container. This way, I managed to protect them and get more control over the growing conditions.

But if you live in a warm, humid climate, you can still grow lucky bamboo outdoors. Make sure you do it in a protected area like a patio or balcony. Also, make sure that you can monitor the plant carefully and bring it indoors if there is any risk of frost or extreme temperatures.

If you live in the US and want to grow lucky bamboo outside, you will succeed in this only if you live in the warm, humid regions of the southeastern United States. Precisely, the USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11.

But even in these areas, lucky bamboo should be grown in a protected location, such as a patio or balcony, where it will receive some protection from the elements. 

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How Do You Keep Bamboo Alive Outside?

To keep your lucky bamboo alive when growing it outside, it is essential to provide it with the right growing conditions and protect it from the elements. Here are some tips for successfully growing lucky bamboo outdoors:

• Choose a location with partial shade, as lucky bamboo does not tolerate direct sunlight. I usually put lucky bamboo near trees or other giant plants when growing them outdoors.
•   Provide the plant with consistent moisture by watering it regularly and misting the leaves to maintain a high humidity level. You can also use a pebble tray to keep the humidity high continuously.
•   Protect the plant from frost and extreme temperatures by bringing it indoors or providing it with a protective covering, such as a cloche or cold frame.
•   Use a well-draining potting mix and a container with drainage holes to prevent the plant from sitting in water and becoming waterlogged.
•   Fertilize the plant regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer to give it the nutrients it needs to grow and thrive. 
•   Water your bamboo deeply to protect it from drought and promote healthy root growth.

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Can You Leave Bamboo Outside in Winter?

Lucky bamboo is not hardy enough to survive outdoors in winter in most climates. It is best to bring the plant indoors or provide protection during winter.

If you live in a warm, humid climate, such as USDA hardiness zones 10 or 11, you can leave your lucky bamboo plant outdoors in a protected location during the winter. However, it is still essential to monitor the plant closely and bring it indoors if there is any risk of frost or extreme cold.

During winter, you should also avoid exposing the plant to drafts or sudden temperature changes, as this can cause the plant to become stressed and susceptible to disease.

To protect your plants from drafts during winter, you should put them in a location that is away from windows, doors, and other sources of breeze. If the drafts are strong, you should also provide your plants with extra insulation, such as wrapping them in blankets or placing them in a greenhouse or cold frame.

When I grow sensitive plants such as lucky bamboo outdoors, I monitor the temperature regularly using a thermometer and take immediate action whenever the temperature drops below 50°F. In this case, I take my plant inside and use artificial lights as much as possible to keep it warm.

Overall, it is best to err on the side of caution and bring your lucky bamboo plant indoors during the winter to ensure its survival and health.

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Can You Leave Bamboo Outside in Summer?

In general, leaving your lucky bamboo plant outside in the summer is not recommended, as extreme heat and direct sunlight can cause the plant to become stressed and damaged.

Here are some steps you can take to protect your lucky bamboo from the intense heat and direct sunlight of summer:

1. Bring the plant indoors and place it in a location with bright, indirect light. The best place to put this plant indoors is near a south-facing window where it will get filtered indirect light.
2.   Provide the plant with consistent moisture by watering it regularly. But be careful before adding water to this plant because too much water can cause it to rot. Generally, check the soil more frequently during summer because it tends to dry up more quickly. Whenever the soil feels dry, you should give water to the plant.
3.   Use a container with drainage holes to prevent the plant from sitting in water and becoming waterlogged. In fact, drainage becomes crucial during summer because we tend to water plants more frequently during this period. 
4.   Lucky bamboo grows best in moist, humid conditions, so it is essential to maintain a humidity level high enough to keep the plant happy. You can do this using a humidifier, or you can mist the leaves of your plant daily to increase their moisture content.
5.   Monitor the plant closely for signs of pests or disease and take appropriate action to control any problems. Some pests, such as aphids, caterpillars, whiteflies, spider mites, and mealybugs, will have more probability to attack your plant in summer than in other times of the year. These pests can feed on the leaves, stems, and roots of your plant, which can lead to stunted growth, yellowing of the leaves, and reduced yields. Additionally, many summer pests can transmit diseases to lucky bamboo, weakening them and making them more susceptible to damage. 

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Conclusion

Overall, lucky bamboo can be grown outside. However, this plant is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and is accustomed to warm, humid environments that are hard to replicate in most USDA hardiness zones.

If you live outside USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11 or are unsure of providing the best-growing conditions for your lucky bamboo outside, we highly recommend growing the plant indoors. Or at least bring it inside during the harsh summer and winter days.

Thanks for visiting our website and making it through this whole article. We hope that this piece was helpful to you.

To know more about growing bamboo successfully, check out our other articles.

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