Why do my lucky bamboo leaves turn yellow - fix

Is your lucky bamboo turning yellow? You can potentially lose it if you do not take immediate actions to save it.

Lucky bamboo plants are not related in any way to the running or clumping bamboos, but rather one of the 40 cultivated species of the Dracaena group of plants. They are native to the Pacific Islands, especially Papua New Guinea, South East Asia and parts of Africa.

How to revive lucky bamboo turning yellow?

Lucky bamboo plants are tropical plants. 

Generally, they are resilient to high temperatures, humidity and pests in the wild. But, several factors can affect their growth indoors. 

We discuss the five common ones towards the end of this article. First, here is how to revive a lucky bamboo plant in 3 steps if it turns yellow.

You will need:

• Candle wax
• Aloe vera
• Pair of secateurs
• Fresh/distilled water
• Plants rooting powder

Image credit: @Twitter

Step 1 – Prepping lucky bamboo stalks

Separate the dying yellow lucky bamboo. Use the pair of secateurs to tidy up the stalks and yellow leaves. 

Then, dip both the top & bottom ends of the cut lucky bamboo stalks in candle wax to prevent rotting. Then, place 3 to 5 stalks in the ‘growing medium’.

Step 2 – Making growth mixture

After that, create a growth-boosting mixture by mixing equal amounts of aloe vera gel and plant rooting powder. 

Add the mixture into the ‘growing medium’. 

Then, add water. (Aloe vera gel and plant rooting powder are ideal for reviving dying plants. They are rich in nutrients the new plants need to grow)

Buy rooting powder at YouGarden

Step 3 – Reviving lucky bamboo turning yellow

The potted plants are in the medium are ready. 

Finally, put them in a shaded area. The plants should show signs of new healthy plants after the first week.

Best way to revive a lucky bamboo turning yellow

Image: @Twitter

Use either fresh rainwater or distilled water when replanting lucky bamboo, and when replenishing water in the pots. 

Do not use tap water as it contains chlorine which tends to disturb the growth of new roots and shoots. 

Prep the stalks neatly, and use rooting hormone and aloe vera to promote growth. Also, use a candle to stop the stems from rotting. 

The chance of lucky bamboo plants surviving is slim if the stalks have turned golden yellow, and become squishy and wrinkling. This is the point of no return. 

Separate the plant, and take action as soon as the leaves and stems turn yellow, and before the stalks turn from green to yellow.

How long before lucky bamboo plants recover?

As mentioned, the running bamboo will regenerate after 7, some quicker. But all in all, signs of new growth are eminent within the two weeks. 

After that, you can re-pot the plant or leave them to grow in the ‘growing medium’.

In a case where you do not see any activity, the best thing to do is to give the plants time to grow. Check the water and any signs of rotting in the stems.

Read about the best practices for growing lucky bamboo plants in water, soil and gravel.

Why is lucky bamboo turning yellow?

There are several reasons why lucky bamboo leaves and stalks turn yellow. Below are the 5 common reasons why the yellowing of leaves happens.

Lucky bamboo leaves often turn yellow due to the lack of one (or more of) these plants’ growth needs. 

They are important for the lucky bamboo to grow.

1. Freshwater

Use rainwater or distilled water. Lucky bamboo does not like warm water. Ensure that the water temperature remains consistent at room temperature, 20 - 25 degrees Celcius is ideal.

2. Sun

Place your lucky bamboo where it receives a good dose of filtered sunlight to regulate photosynthesis. They are tolerant to shade, but not to direct sunlight.

3. Improve humidity

Indoor air is often dry, it lacks good water content. In fact, lucky bamboo loves high humidity in the highs of 50%. 

Let fresh air indoors. This will improve transpiration which is vital for the plant's natural colours.

4. Check the indoor room temperature

Indoor temperature is higher where there are electrical appliances. Like in 3 (humidity), the indoor temperature is vital for the houseplants. 

The heat emitted by electrical appliances can affect the lucky bamboo plants. Check the indoor temperature if your plants show signs of distress.

5. Prevent rotting bamboo stalks

The lucky bamboo stalks will rot (where they are cut) when dipped in water. This is often the main cause of yellow leaves in lucky bamboo plants. 

To avoid this problem, seal the freshly cut stalks with candle wax. 

If a stalk turns yellow, it shows that it is not rooting. This is a dead plant and it should be removed and attended to immediately before it affects the other plants. 

Use the 5 tips to keep your lucky bamboo happy and stop the leaves from turning yellow. Prevention is better that cure.

Grow lucky bamboo plants

In a case where your bamboo has turned yellow, revive it by using the three steps we discussed in ‘How to revive lucky bamboo turning yellow?’ 

In an ideal situation, prevention is better than cure. Be sure to replenish the water so that it remains clear all the time. 

The bamboos are tropical plants. They will thrive in variable conditions. Attend to them immediately if you see any signs of distress in your plants.

Conclusion (Revive lucky bamboo turning yellow)

All in all, lucky bamboo plants are great indoor house plants. 

As a gardener, you need to provide them with the right condition for them to thrive. Knowing the 5 growth requirements is key to sustaining them. 

Use the 3 steps to revive lucky bamboo if the leaves turn yellow. You may like to know about the 10 facts about lucky bamboo plants. 

We hope this simple guide and best practices help you to revive your dying lucky bamboo plants.

Uses of Green Cordyline australis, red star and varigated Cornish Cabbage Palm

Cordyline australis is an exotic plant, also known as ‘Torbay or Cornish Cabbage Palm’. This upright plant has dark green sword-like leaves and clusters of white scented flowers, bees’ magnet.

The dry brown leaves have a special use that many gardeners will love to know. This article shows you how to prepare and use the leaves as an alternative to artificial garden ropes.

Cordyline australis (Cornish Cabbage Plant) leaves are lovely garden ropes.

Uses of Cordyline australis leaves

Buy Cordyline australis ‘Cornish Cabbage’ plants at Crocus

This plant has long slender leaves. They are thin, flexible and strong. 

Plants with leaves like these are used successfully in traditional and survival settings for tying objects together.

If you have a Cordyline australis plant in the garden, you can use the leaf as an alternative to garden rope. 

Check out the 5 garden projects where the Cordyline australis leaves were used successfully as ropes. 

1. Tie garden and pot plants 

2. Tie bamboo garden trellis panels.

3. Make DIY Garden Planter Box without Nails

4. Make bamboo hoops and garden netting (image)

Use Cordyline australis ropes in the making of bamboo hoops and garden netting

How to prepare Cordyline australis leaves for garden rope

The long narrow leaves of Cordyline australis are perfect natural garden ropes. As shown in the garden projects, you can also use them to tie garden plants, flowers, new shoots and any garden plant that needs tying. Here is how to prepare the dry leaves to use as garden ropes.

• Collect the dry brown leaves.
• Soak them in water overnight.
• Strip each leaf into smaller (preferable) strands.
• Use the strands to tie plants.

To tie large objects, use a whole leaf or two. You can join the leaves together if you need a longer length. An example is this DIY Garden Planter Box, instead of nails we used only Cordyline australis leaves to build it.

Many people in the Pacific and Southeast Asia use the leaves from the palm trees, coconut and yacca plants and Cordyline fruticosa as ropes for tying plants. 

They also use the long green leaves for arts and crafts. However, the dry leaves are best for tying plants, flowers and shoots.

About Cordyline australis plant

Cordyline australis is evergreen and hardy shrub, commonly known as ‘Torbay or Cornish Cabbage Palm’. The Cornish Cabbage plant has long leaves and palm-like stems.

It produces a bunch of numerous tiny creamy white flowers in summer. You can keep an individual plant (or keep it lower) by pruning the old plants and encouraging a new single plant to take over.

This exotic shrub is perfect for landscaping, planted as a standalone plant or centrepiece. There are several cultivars of Cordyline australis ‘Cornish Cabbage Plants’, ranging from variegated leaves to green and burgundy red.

They are undemanding and low maintenance. The three common cultivars of Cordyline australis Cabbage plants are

• Green Cordyline australis,
• Cordyline australis red star and
• Variegated Cordyline australis 'Torbay Dazzler'.

See the full collection at Crocus 

Do you know a garden plant like Cordyline australis?

As mentioned earlier, the dry brown leaves of Cordyline australis (‘Cornish Cabbage Plant’) are fantastic alternatives to garden ropes.

We’ve used the leaves as garden ropes in many garden projects (as shown in the images).

Hope you can try the ropes out if you have a Cordyline australis, Cordyline fruticosa or Yacca plant growing in your garden.

Do you have a garden plant like the bamboo stems or Yacca, Cordyline australis or Cordyline fruticosa plants? We would love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below.

Here is the YouTube video of the strawberries netting project where we use the Cordyline australis leaves as a garden rope.

How to look after tall tomato plants

Tomato plants are thought to be ‘annuals’ as they grow outdoors only in spring and summer. But they are in fact short-lived ‘perennials’ that bear flowers and fruits multiple times throughout the year in their natural (tropical) settings.

Completed the tomato plants' bamboo stakes...now waiting for the plants to grow. 🍅🍅🍅

The video shows how to look after tomato plants - staking pruning, watering and feeding them for a healthy harvest.

Bamboo sticks for tall tomato plants

Tomato plants will need support as they grow taller.

Bamboo sticks are slim and strong which is why they are the best stakes for tomato plants. They do not take up a lot of space, flexible and bendable. Easy to cut and tie together to make frames. Many gardeners use bamboo sticks to make tomato trellis and support the plants. They are also perfect for plants in patio grow bags, pots and containers, and in the garden.

The plants will love it.

Find out about the uses of bamboo sticks & what bamboo plant is best for bamboo sticks.

The first sign of tomato flowers

Use Cornish Cabbage Plant as garden ropes

Cordyline australis (Cornish Cabbage Plant) leaves are lovely garden ropes. You can use them to tie the tall tomato plants and stakes.

If you have a Cordyline australis plant in the garden, you can use the leaf as an alternative to garden rope.

Grow tomato plants in a well-drained and nutrient-rich soil.

Keep them well-watered during the hot months.

Use bamboo sticks as stakes to support the tall tomato plants.

How to Prune, Water and Care for Tomato Plants

In this article, you’ll find out how to prune tomato plants and provide the right care (prune, water and maintain) garden tomato plants.

Tomato plants are thought to be ‘annuals’ as they grow outdoors only in spring and summer. But they are in fact short-lived ‘perennials’ that bear flowers and fruits multiple times throughout the year in their natural (tropical) settings.

Understanding this behaviour can help you to grow the best tomato plants in patio grow bags and pots or in the garden.

Do you prune tomato plants?

Pruning is not essential for the health of tomato plants. The plants will need the leaves and suckers to produce flowers and tomatoes. However, there are things you can do to maintain the plants’ health.

Prune the early leaves and side shoots to drive the nutrients to the main plants for better yields.

In cases where there are dense leaves and side shoots, selectively remove any that are struggling.

The best time to prune tomato plants is early in the morning. The fresh cuts will dry during the day, keeping the plants healthy.

Get tomato and veggie seeds from YouGarden

Tomato plants care

How to stop tomato plants from growing too tall?

To stop the tomato plants from growing tall, remove the main tips higher up. Use a pair of secateurs or scissors to prune the delicate tips. The best time to do that is to wait until the first flowers emerge.

Naturally, tomato plants are perennials. Though they are short-lived in the cooler regions, new suckers and flowers will still emerge as the plants grow taller.

Keep it neat and tidy but encourage more flowers. This way, you’ll get lots of tomatoes.

It is okay to snip off the tips if you are worried that the tomato plants are growing too tall.

Bamboo sticks for Support

Tomato plants will need support as they grow taller.

Bamboo sticks are slim and strong which is why they are the best stakes for tomato plants. They do not take up a lot of space, flexible and bendable. Easy to cut and tie together to make frames.

Many gardeners use bamboo sticks to make tomato trellis and support the plants. They are also perfect for plants in patio grow bags, pots and containers, and in the garden.

The plants will love it.

Find out about the uses of bamboo sticks & what bamboo plant is best for bamboo sticks.

Do tomato plants need lots of water?

Tomato plants need regular water to stay healthy. The soil must remain fairly moist where they grow.

Also, they will tolerate wet soil, but not waterlogged soil. The leaves will show signs of distress if they are floating in water for extended periods.

On the contrary, they will wilt and whither if there is less water.

It is important to get the water balance right. Dip a finger into the soil and make sure it remains fairly moist all the time.

Water tomato plants

How many times can you water tomato plants in a day?

Water them once a day as long as the water uptake (and water lost to the air) is at equilibrium with the water available in the soil.

If it’s too hot and dry, you may be required to water them twice a day.

They are known to be thirsty plants. Pay close attention to the leaves as they will let you know when they need water.

Generally, water regularly if you see that the tomato plants are enjoying the water.

How to make Garden Trellis for garden plants

Should tomato plants be in full sunlight?

Tomato plants love the full sunlight.

Though there are different varieties, the common tomato plants will require at least 6 to 7 hours of sunlight.

As mentioned earlier, tomato plants are tropical perennial plants, they thrive in hot and humid conditions. They need this condition to give good yields of tomatoes.

Cultivated garden tomato plants will not do well in shade. Grow them in sites where there is enough sunlight during the day. If you grow them in pots, put them in an area where there is a good amount of sunlight every day.

Your tomato plants will thrive in direct sunlight, but too much heat and too little water are bad for them.

In summer, especially during the long daylight periods, check on your plants. Give them water if the soil loses moisture and keep them hydrated during hot sunny days.

Why do tomato plants turn black?

Sometimes you will find black spots on the leave, stems and fruit of tomato plants. The three common causes are:
- Bacteria, virus or fungal infestation,
- Nutrient deficiency
- Cold

Many gardeners come across this problem. Often, you’ll see the black spots on the stems and leaves early on if it’s caused by bacteria, viruses or fungal infestation. You can lose your tomato plants if the infestation spreads.

To save your plants, remove the infected leaves or stems. Spray with a fungicide to keep them free from bacteria, viruses and mould.

Check out these garden DIY hacks.

Keep your tomato plants healthy

In most cases, prevention is better than cure.

The tomato plants will require feed as they grow. To keep them healthy, add tomato-grow.

Low temperatures can damage your tomato plants.

If you grow your tomato plants late, you’ll sometimes see black spots appear on the leaves, fruits and stems as the summer ends.

Move the plants indoors or into the greenhouse if you expect more flowers and fruit.

If the green tomatoes turn black, harvest them immediately before they rot.

Why tomato leaves turn yellow

Tomato leaves turning yellow is natural. The old leaves will change from green to yellow and brown.
Occasionally, tomato leaves prematurely turn yellow because of the following reasons:
- a lack of sunlight,
- waterlogged soil or
- lack of nutrients in the soil.

Make sure the plant receives at least 6 hours of sunlight, the soil is moist and well-drained and is rich in nutrients.
If the problem persists, give the plant some tomato feed. Nine out of ten times, this will improve the condition.

Alternatively, move the plant to a different area or bigger pot.

Tomato leaves turn yellow

Conclusion

Grow tomato plants in a well-drained and nutrient-rich soil. Keep them well-watered during the hot months.

Use bamboo sticks as stakes to support the tall tomato plants and add tomato feed and fungicide to keep the plant in good health.

Tomato plants turning black, and leaves prematurely turning yellow can be the results of infestations, nutrient deficiency or cold weather.

Hope this article gives you an idea about how to prune tomato plants and get the best yields every time.