People born with a "green thumb" are said to be the best gardeners, able to give life to any plant they touch because of an innate skill.  On the other hand, there are also those who fail miserably in growing anything. They spend thousands on buying flowering plants and other flora just to see them die in a few weeks’ time.

But there is still hope. One doesn’t need to have a green thumb to grow this new plant called the "Lucky Bamboo.” In fact, it’s a decorative plant that can grow both indoors and outdoors, what not only adds some aesthetic and natural element to your home or office, it can also bring "luck" or positive vibes to go about your life.

Growing a Lucky Bamboo is considered extremely easy. Here are a few simple things that you can do to provide the perfect conditions for a long, healthy life:

*First, beware of too much sunlight. Lucky Bamboo grows naturally under the canopy of wet tropical rain forests. You might be surprised at how little sunlight the Lucky Bamboo needs to thrive. In general, the more indirect, the better. If you see burning or browning on the tips of the leaves, consider that the location may receive too much sunlight at some point in the day.

*Lucky Bamboo must be kept moist. It will also thrive in a soil mixture as long as this soil holds a lot of water.

*Since neither water nor soil contains the vitamins, minerals and hormones that are found in Lucky Bamboo's natural growing environment, supplementation is sometimes recommended.

*To grow new stalks from original ones, make a clean cut through the stalk, just below a joint. Place the cutting in fresh, clean water.

*A Lucky Bamboo cannot be planted outdoors because it does not respond well to temperatures below 60 degrees F., must be kept very moist at all times, and cannot tolerate direct sun. Keep it inside your home or office where it will thrive and enhance your living or working environment.

Ancient Chinese legend says a gift of living bamboo brings good fortune to its bearer, hence the name, Lucky Bamboo. The plant was considered a member of the bamboo family. Today, however, modern science classifies it as a Dracaena, specifically Dracaena Sanderiana. Some say it originated in South East Asia, others in Africa, but there is no question that it has been valued in the Orient for centuries as a plant of good fortune.

It is estimated that Bamboo has been a symbol of good fortune in Asian culture for more than 4,000 years. Nature has always been a valued and inseparable aspect of life in Asia. It became valued because of its wonderful ability to adapt and grow in minimal and even poor light conditions.

Thus, it was an element of nature, which represented the good fortune, or auspiciousness, of bamboo, that had the ability to thrive indoors.  

Lucky Bamboo is very valued as a perfect symbol of the wood element, which is defined by tall, thin, vertical shapes and the color green. This element is said to have an influence on life energy, growth, vitality and physical activity.

Because Lucky Bamboo is able to thrive in many areas of the home or workplace where other plants would not, it is valued as a means to enhance the positive flow of energy or "chi" in these areas. It suits the home as it makes the space in your home more energized to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced lifestyles.

Sometimes, there is a red ribbon wrapped around the stalks of the Lucky Bamboo.  The red ribbon symbolizes the element of fire. The addition of a little fire assists in enhancing or "igniting" the positive result that is desired.

Share some good energy to your family, boss or co-workers by having a Lucky Bamboo on top of a study table, meeting table or the reception desk.