Last Friday (February 12th) marked the 2021 Lunar New Year (Year of the Ox). To celebrate this fun holiday, I’m going to show you an easy way to make your own DIY lucky bamboo arrangements! Check out the video link above for the full tutorial.

The Lunar New Year

I started making lucky bamboo back in 2017 (the year of the Rooster) while I was living in San Francisco. My husband and I decided to attend the famous Lunar new year parade in Chinatown that year, and it was an experience unlike any other.

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The streets were packed full of people watching the parade and setting off fireworks. Everywhere you looked there were extravagant floats, jaw-dropping performances, and of course… dragons!

As we wandered the streets of Chinatown, we stumbled upon an old shop that was selling individual bamboo stalks and decorative carved rocks. We bought three bamboo stalks and two rocks with our lunar signs carved on them. Alas, the makings of our first bamboo plant! (and I was already hooked).

The Meaning Behind the Number of Lucky Bamboo Stalks

Here’s the thing about lucky bamboo, although most numbers will bring you luck, each number has a specific meaning and symbolism behind it that will attract different kinds of luck to the recipient.

One

One bamboo stalk is known as a “lucky log”. It’s uncommon to receive a single stalk, but it will bring luck to new endeavors and it symbolizes beginnings.

Two

Two stalks represent love and good things coming in pairs. This arrangement is often given as a wedding gift.

Three

Three stalks represent the three kinds of luck – Fu (Happiness), Lu (Wealth), and Soh (Long life). This arrangement is often given as a Birthday or New years gift because they symbolize new beginnings.

Four

Four stalks are generally avoided, the number four in Chinese sounds like the word death, so it is associated with bad luck.

Five

Five Stalks represent the five elements, and the basics of life being in balance. Five stalk arrangements are said to help you achieve your goals with positivity, and will bring success and wealth into your life. Five stalks are usually given as a way of saying congrats and can often be found in office buildings.

Six

Six stalks represent everything running smoothly, and harmoniously. These arrangements are said to bring calmness, peace, and security into your life.

Seven

Seven is commonly seen as a lucky number, but seven bamboo stalks represent kindness, beauty, wit, and creativity. Seven stalk arrangements are believed to bring good health, togetherness in relationships, and will add to your odds for success.

Eight

The number eight is also largely referred to as a lucky number. In fact, eight bamboo stalks are seen as one of the highest forms of good luck and prosperity. The number 88 is often referred to as “double joy” because the number 8 is said to provide you with joy and growth!

Nine

Nine is sometimes referred to as “God’s Number” because it represents great power and eternal reign. Nine bamboo stalks are seen as extremely lucky and will bring good fortune to every area of your life. Nine stalks are often given on Valentine’s day because nine represents longevity and everlasting love.

Ten or More

Ten stalks represent perfection. Giving someone ten bamboo stalks symbolizes wanting the recipient to have everything in life, and it gives them one large wish.

Double-digit numbers are interpreted by combining the meaning of their two individual numbers, this makes their symbolism much more complex.

There are a few double-digit numbers that hold specific meaning. I already mentioned the number eighty-eight meaning double joy. However, twelve bamboo stalks combine the number one and two, and this symbolizes creation and blessings for birth (especially with twins).

The number twenty-one on the other hand, is said to bestow a powerful blessing upon the recipient. Twenty-one stalk arrangements represent harmony, health, wealth, happiness, and good fortune.

Supplies

To make your lucky bamboo arrangement, you’ll need to gather a few basic supplies:

• Lucky Bamboo Stalks (Number of your choosing)
• Decorative plant rocks or pebbles
• Glass vase or container of your choice
• Twist Ties
• Distilled, filtered, spring or bottled water

Ask your local plant nursery if they sell lucky bamboo stalks. Typically, bamboo stalks are sold individually, which makes it easy to purchase the exact number you want for your arrangement.

If you plan on making several arrangements, some nurseries will sell bundled lucky bamboo in bulk that you can break down into individual stalks.

You can also purchase lucky bamboo stalks online through amazon (link below)

The Best Type of Water for Lucky Bamboo

Lucky Bamboo is generally a low maintenance house plant, but they are very sensitive to chlorine and fluoride usually found in tap water. So, it’s important to always use filtered, distilled, or spring water for your bamboo arrangements.

However, you can use tap water if you allow it to sit out, uncovered for at least twenty-four hours to disperse chemicals.

How to Assemble A Lucky Bamboo Arrangement

Step 1: Prep Work

If you purchased stalks in bulk as I did, remove the twist ties and save them for later to re-use when re-assembling.

Then separate the bundled bamboo into individual stalks. The roots may have started to grow together, so gently deconstruct them to avoid damaging the roots.

Note: Healthy lucky bamboo roots will be reddish-orange in color.

Group individual stalks based on size. You will combine stalks with varying heights for your arrangements, so organizing them ahead of time will make it easier to find the sizes you need later.

Fill a bowl with distilled or bottled water, then place the lucky bamboo stalks inside the bowl to keep the roots submerged while you’re reassembling.

Step 2: Bundle

Remove the number of bamboo stalks you want to bundle. Varying stalk heights will give your arrangement a cascading look that is visually appealing.

It may take several tries for the bamboo to start looking the way you want it to. Be patient!

A good trick is to start with the largest stalk in the middle, then create a spiral pattern by adding smaller stalks around it.

Wrap a twist tie around the bundle, and twist in the back to secure it in place. Once secured, re-adjust your bamboo so the stalks are straight and tightly grouped.

Step 3: Fill Vase

Grab your vase, and gently add small handfuls of decorative rock until it’s approximately 75-80% full.

Check that the rock layer is relatively level, then place your bundle on top.

Carefully add more rocks around the base of the bamboo until it’s secure, then fill to the top with distilled water.

Over time, the roots will begin to grow around the rock to firmly anchor the bamboo.

Lucky Bamboo Care

From time to time, fully drain the vase, and refill with fresh distilled water to prevent bacteria from growing. Make sure the roots are partially submerged in water at all times and top off with more water as needed.

Lucky bamboo is a low maintenance plant, that thrives in indirect or low light conditions (even florescent-only lighting!). This makes it the ideal plant for newbie plant owners, or a great addition to homes that don’t receive much sunlight.

Your bamboo will need extra nutrients to stay happy long term. Add a small amount of bamboo fertilizer (or water-soluble plant fertilizer) to your bamboo arrangement every three to six months. (or longer)

Gifts

These simple and easy to make arrangements are the perfect gift for friends and family to help bring them some good luck in the new year. Or you can direct a little good fortune and feng shui your way by creating a lucky bamboo for your self!

Try mixing it up with uniquely shaped vases, or combining different kinds of decorative rock!

Happy 2021 Lunar New Year!

That’s it! Enjoy your new lucky bamboo arrangement!

Sending good fortune to all of you in the 2021 Lunar new year!

After all, the Ox represents movement and hard work, so hopefully, that means the world will start moving in the right direction again after the static year we had in 2020!

Happy Lunar New Year!

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