I'm posting this for my partner, as I don't grow Dracaena and am unsure what would be causing this.

He has the following Dracaena sanderiana ("Lucky Bamboo"). He's had it at least a year, and lives in the east Bay Area in California. The stalks are growing in water and gravel. He changes out the water every Sunday, and has it a few feet away from a south-facing window. He gives it a bit of a dilute fertilizer added to the water every few weeks (not on a consistent schedule).
I don't remember the exact values on the fertilizer and I got it for him when I was there a few months ago. It was a very dilute Miracle Grow balanced fertilizer. I think it was 0.3-0.3-0.3, but don't hold me to that. He only adds a small amount to the water.

One stalk has turned yellow. There haven't been any major changes in the care routine the entire time he's had it. Any thoughts on why it's happening, and what should be done? Any other information needed?



*Edit - he said the stalk still feels firm. Just went yellow.

Are the leaves on that stem still green? I think the roots are gone on that stem and it needs to be restarted. Why, you may never know.

Anytime that plant turns yellow already, it is done for. Best to remove it and throw away.

Clean that container and replenish with water that has been aired out prior use to remove chlorine or use distilled water. No fertilizers for now.

Just maintain it in a bright and warm spot, and do more frequent water changes if the intention is to keep it in water. Alternatively, you can try soaking water gel beads and use that as media, that way, roots still get airflow at rootzone and no frequent water changes needed, just keep minimal water with the water beads and soak water beads later if it deflates.

Or another option is use pumice and water as the media. That will also work, it will still allow airflow at rootzone.

No liquid fertilizers at this time of the year. Wait for warmer period when you see plant is in more active growth. It will always acclimate again for any changes done to its set up so got to be patient. :smily:
Typically, I would not want to bother any plant set up at this time, but got to salvage that remaining one. Do check the base of the plant if there is no rotting happening. Otherwise, any rotted part needs to be cut off first, before you replant.

On a worst case scenario, if your friend finds this is too much work, just start with a a new healthier plant but I would wait for Spring when light levels gradually improves much better in terms of duration and intensity.

The leaves on that stalk are yellow except for a green center leaf.

One of the stalks has died. Is that the pot it was purchased in? Are the rocks glued in? Are you able to add a pic of the whole thing? Are you using tap water?

It's the same pot and gravel it was purchased in. Gravel is not glued. He uses tap water.

I just notice that I lost track of this discussion. So sorry, had a family situation at that already hectic time of year and must not have scrolled back far enough to see the last addition to the discussion when trying to catch up later.

Are there any updates for this plant? If it hasn't happened yet, I would consider graduating it to a bigger pot with soil. The longevity in water is a novelty that is fun for a while, but the health of those specimens is not as vigorous as one potted like a "normal" houseplant.

Jan. 2018:


Couple weeks ago. The little yellow pot on the table isn't the same one, but is the same size as the original pot.


A discussion about dismantling the original setup, which did have glued rocks:
The thread "What's going on in this lucky bamboo pot?" in Houseplants forum

When I visited, I pulled the yellow stalk and tossed it. I gave the other two a wash, as they had water crystals tangled in the roots that were a bit mushy. I repotted it in it's original gravel now, but K asked about repotting it into soil soon. I kept it in the gravel for now because I wasn't sure when to switch to soil.

But since the cleanup, the remaining two stalks perked up a lot.

That sounds positive and optimistic to me. : )

I have some that have been in water for years. At some point, they start to look tired, for lack of a better word. Some last longer than others. They always perk up when moved to soil. When the roots establish, 1 or 2 new stems will start to grow from the roots/base.

You and he will have to decide but personally, the time is right when I have gathered everything I need, it's a nice day outside (in the shade, always, taking an inside plant outside for a few,) and I feel like doing it. Some people like an occasion like equinox, solstice, full moon...