Easy To Grow Plants The Lucky bamboo is an easy to grow plant which can thrive in soil or water. While this plant has the common name of bamboo it is not an actual bamboo plant species and belongs to the dracaena genus, although the stalks have a similar appearance. Let's take a closer look at this plants description, how to grow and caring advice. The lucky bamboo grown in it's native country (West Africa) can grow up to 5ft tall (or much more), and as a house plant up to approximately 2 or 3 feet. There are various cultivars of this plant and some of the most interesting are the twisted stalk types which are trained by specialist growers. The name lucky seems to have been given by the Chinese that practice feng shui and believe in this plant brings good fortune into a home or workplace. Place in water or soil?: Dracaena braunii plants grow at their best in a pot with soil and live longer lives, however, many are grown in glass type vases which does give them a pretty cool minimalistic look.

They are also grown in aquariums and sold in pet shops submersed in water or some shoots just above the water, but this is not the correct way of growing them and they can rot. Flowering: In their natural tropical habitat grown outdoors the lucky bamboo will flower, but grown indoors they will not. How it looks: Most of these are sold with about 3 stalks that look very similar to real bamboo plant's (although they're not bamboo) and grow light green shoots with slim and long arching leaves. You can also purchase the braided type that have numerous stems which seem to have become less expensive recently. Easy to care for: Lucky bamboo is well known for being very easy to grow and maintain. When they're grown in water they can be left for a few weeks without having any health problems, although this water should really be replaced every 7 days. To grow and maintain a good healthy plant it is much better to grow them within a soil pot.-- Dracaena Braunii, or Dracaena Sanderiana (botanical/scientific).

Warm room temperature's and above are advised 65°F (18°C) - 90°F (32°C). Avoid lower than 55°F/12°C in the winter. In it's natural habitat the lucky bamboo grows under the cover of shaded trees, so place your plant in a bright spot without direct sunlight which can burn the leaves that will mimic their natural living space.best air cleaners asthma In a vase or water type pot change the water once every 7 days with distilled or bottled water. bird safe air purifiersIf your dracaena braunii is grown in soil (which is it's natural way of growing), water once the soil becomes slightly dry to the touch.air duct cleaning kit A well draining potting soil mix is advised. Re-pot a plant living in soil when it becomes pot bound or every 2 years.

If your plant sits in water with pebbles at the bottom for stability, re-pot to a bigger container once the previous one becomes too small and when the pebbles and container need cleaning. Cleaning the water container will prevent bacteria problems. Normal room humidity is fine. Choose and cut the biggest shoot (or shoots) available on a stalk and remove the lower leaves from the shoot. Cut the shoot about 1 cm – 2 cm away from the stalk. Sit your stem cutting in water for about 3 months until roots appear and then pot in soil. Trim back shoots one or two of inches from the stalk which will encourage the plant to grow into a nice bushy plant. If you have too many off shoots you can cut some back near to the stalk. Do not cut stalks. Yellow or brown leaf edges: The possible cause can be too much chemicals in the water (fluoride, chlorine or others) or direct sunlight. If the plant has had no direct sunlight then the problem has to be water chemical which should only require you to remove the old water and use distilled water.

Also make sure your not over feeding with fertilizer which can also turn leaves yellow. Browning of the leaves can also be caused by dry air which can be overcome with increasing the humidity. Stalks becoming soft and/or yellow: The bottom of stalks can become soft and mushy or yellow for a variety of reasons, but it's often water related. The fact of the matter is this stalk is already dead or near death and will need to be separated from the other stalks and thrown away. Remove this stalk as soon a possible so it does not affect healthy stalks. Popular Plants & TopicsTop 4 Ways to Purify Air at Home Naturally Experiencing flare-ups at home? Let’s make it a safer space. Americans are estimated to spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors. Although indoor settings may imply safe surroundings, these environments can hold a litany of harmful chemicals. Some of those chemicals include Toluene (paint thinners), Xylene (common tar), Ammonia, (fertilizers and cleaners) Benzene, and Trichloroethylene (man-made fibers and printed materials), and formaldehyde (insecticides and particle board).

These types of toxins are inherently dangerous to all people but can be particularly harmful for those with respiratory illnesses such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). With your health in mind, the Lung Institute has crafted a shortlist of the top 4 ways to purify your air at home naturally to keep you breathing healthy and reduce exacerbations. Himalayan Salt lamps are made of a pink rock salt mined in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, and when a rock of suitable size is found, it is converted into a salt lamp. By carving a hollow into the crystal and replacing it with an incandescent bulb, the heat that is emitted from the base emits negative ions into the air working to remove toxins in the air and neutralize them. Himalayan salt lamps are known decoratively for their beautiful pinkish glow, but are also known to promote sleep and well-being. Where You Can Find Them: Beeswax candles, are simply put, candles made out of beeswax. However, what makes them distinct from traditional candles is that they do not emit smoke.

Traditional candles are typically derived from petroleum and may release benzene, toluene or soot into the air. In contrast, beeswax candles are known to produce negative ions in the air that help in the removal of air pollution and other toxins. Another benefit of beeswax candles is that they burn significantly slower than traditional wax or paraffin candles, meaning they last longer and won’t have to be replaced as often. As we’ve mentioned before, plants are biologically engineered to take in carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen. However, what often goes overlooked is that some specific types of plants also work to take in harmful chemicals and other pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, toluene, xylene, and ammonia. Out of all air-purifying plants, NASA has suggested the Peace Lily as the most dominant, which requires very little water or sunlight. Not only is it aesthetically beautiful but actively takes in all the aforementioned toxins to produce oxygen.

Also known as activated charcoal, bamboo charcoal is odorless and highly-absorptive. In some cases used as a makeshift water filter, bamboo charcoal can have the same affect in air purification by removing toxins and odor in the atmosphere. Packaged in a linen bag, bamboo charcoal works to absorb unpleasant odors, remove bacteria, harmful pollutants and allergens, and dehumidify air. However, the most remarkable aspect of bamboo charcoal is its longevity. Safe for children and pets, bamboo charcoal can rejuvenate itself if placed in sunlight once a month, and can be reused for up to two years. Afterwards it can be used as a fertilizer. Where Can You Find Them: Clean air at home is critical to avoiding exacerbations, but despite even the cleanest quality of air flow, treatment may still be necessary to avoid flare-ups and fatigue in daily life. If you or a loved one suffers from COPD, or any lung disease, the Lung Institute may be able to help with a variety of stem cell treatment options.