Plant guide
Lucky Bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana
Lucky bamboo is considered toxic to cats. Eating it may cause vomiting, drooling and reduced appetite; cats may also develop enlarged pupils. It is a Dracaena, not true bamboo. Contact your veterinarian after a suspected ingestion.
What this guide covers: This guide covers Dracaena sanderiana within the assessed Dracaena genus. It does not cover true bamboo. Current Kew taxonomy accepts this species; older alternate taxonomies must not silently change its identity.
Photo:
Photo details
LuckyBamboo 2005 SeanMcClean.jpg
By User SeanMack on en.wikipedia
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Plant shopping
Explore this plant
Photo:
Photo details
LuckyBamboo 2005 SeanMcClean.jpg
By User SeanMack on en.wikipedia
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Curly lucky bamboo
View on Amazon — curly lucky bamboo; paid link; opens in a new tabPaid link · Opens in a new tab
Keep away from cats. We do not recommend this plant for a home where cats could reach it.
Explore non-toxic plants →A little paw-note: We may earn a commission when you buy through these links. This helps us keep building and helps Nico & Larry sustain their lavish kitty lifestyle.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Look for Dracaena sanderiana and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Dracaena sanderiana
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
Find the right spot
How to grow this plant
Container growing guidance for Dracaena sanderiana.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
Give bright, indirect light.
- Watering
- Special watering method
Grow in moist potting mix or in suitable water culture. For water-grown plants, replace the chlorine-free water regularly; the source suggests weekly changes.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
A normal indoor growing range has not been established in this review.
- Humidity
- Higher humidity
Dry air can contribute to brown leaf tips.
- Potting
- Use a well-drained potting mix for soil culture; water-grown plants require a different container setup.
Growing-guide sources
- dracaena sanderiana - Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-13
Care guidance for the named taxon; indoor recommendations take precedence over outdoor hardiness information.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-14. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Saponins
- Reported signs
- Vomiting; Drooling; Reduced appetite; Depressed activity; Dilated pupils
- Severity
- Severity not established
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Dracaena ↗ASPCA Poison Control · Accessed
Listed by the source as Dracaena spp.. The poison-control source assesses Dracaena spp.. Kew documents Dracaena sanderiana as a member of that genus. This applies that group assessment only to the named species, not to unrelated plants or unidentified hybrids.
- Dracaena ↗ASPCA Poison Control · Accessed 2026-10-12
- Dracaena sanderiana taxonomy ↗Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · Accessed 2026-10-12
Safety last reviewed .