Dracaena sanderiana is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Central Africa. It was named after the German–English gardener Henry Frederick Conrad Sander (1847–1920). The plant is commonly marketed as "lucky bamboo," which has become one of its common names, although it is not a species of bamboo.
Names
Common names include Sander's dracaena, ribbon dracaena, lucky bamboo, curly bamboo, Chinese water bamboo, Goddess of Mercy's plant, Belgian evergreen. It is also called the ribbon plant, although the same common name is sometimes used for Chlorophytum comosum (also known as the spider plant). While the word bamboo occurs in several of this plant's common names, D. sanderiana is of an entirely different taxonomic order from true bamboos – though this plant and true bamboos both fall under the monocot clade. Despite several of its common names that suggest it is from China or Belgium, it is a native West African species. Dracaena sanderiana is also often confused with Dracaena braunii, a plant from coastal West Africa with flowers 5 times shorter than those of D. sanderiana. Over time, the plant's stem becomes unsteady with the added weight of new growth. Regular trimmings are needed to ensure the shape of this plant stays neat and manageable while it grows.
Cultivation
Dracaena sanderiana and its related varieties are popular houseplants. It is a suitable plant for confined spaces, and it does very well in indirect sunlight or partial shade as direct sunlight often causes its leaves to burn or yellow. It requires average warmth, adequate light, and regular watering with dry periods in between It can be propagated by cutting a part of the stem just above a node (the "rings" around the plant's stem from which offshoots grow). Cuttings can be made year round.
Gallery
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Donghai Island - P1580772 - lucky bamboo.JPG|A field of lucky bamboo in Donghai Island, Guangdong
Dracaena sanderiana Mast. habit.jpg|In Libreville, Gabon
Dracaena braunii.jpg|Variegated-leaved plants
Lucky bamboo spiral houseplant.jpg|Lucky bamboo spiral houseplant
Ausgepraegte Wurzeln Dracaena sanderiana.jpg|Adventitious roots
Dracaena sanderiana1.jpg|Variegated-leaved plants with multiple, woven stems.
Lucky Bamboo Hearts.jpg|With heart-shaped stems.
Lucky_bamboo.jpg|A trio of Dracaena sanderiana
</gallery>