TheNaturePlanet

Many of my friends who like to grow plants often ask:
“Guanyin bamboo and lucky bamboo look pretty similar — are they actually the same plant?”
The answer is no! Even though they both have the word “bamboo” in their name and look like mini bamboo groves, they are quite different when you look closely — and even their care requirements are not the same.

The most obvious difference — appearance.
Lucky bamboo is what we see most often, especially around Chinese New Year. Florists usually sell them in bundles — thin, straight stems that look almost like chopsticks, with narrow, lance-shaped leaves growing neatly along the stalk. They can actually grow pretty tall — over a meter if you care for them well — making them great as a “tall green accent” in the living room.

Guanyin bamboo is different. Its stalks are shorter and thicker, looking like miniature bamboo canes, and they usually grow in clusters, forming a dense, bushy look. The leaves are wider than lucky bamboo’s, with slightly wavy edges, and feel thicker to the touch. The overall shape is round and lush, which makes it perfect for desktops, windowsills, or other small spaces.

They also come from different plant families.
Lucky bamboo actually belongs to the Dracaena genus in the Asparagaceae family — it’s related to the popular Dracaena plant.
Guanyin bamboo, on the other hand, is part of the palm family (Arecaceae), specifically a type of Rhapis (lady palm).
So despite the name, neither one is a true bamboo (which belongs to the grass family) — they just “borrowed” the bamboo name for their looks.

Now for the most important question: which one is easier to grow?
Both are fairly easy to care for, but for beginners, lucky bamboo is the better choice.

Lucky bamboo is most commonly grown in water. Just take a glass container, fill it with tap water (let it sit for a day first to let chlorine evaporate), and cut the stem bottoms at a slant before placing them in the water. The roots will slowly grow on their own. Keep it in a bright spot with indirect light, avoid direct sun (it will scorch the leaves), top up the water when it gets low, and occasionally add a couple drops of liquid fertilizer. Even if you forget to water it for a while, as long as the stalks haven’t rotted, it will bounce back quickly — perfect for “lazy plant parents.”

Guanyin bamboo is a bit fussier. It does better in soil than in water — if you try water culture, its roots can rot easily. For soil, you’ll need a loose, well-draining mix, like leaf mold mixed with perlite. Water it only when the top layer of soil is dry, and water thoroughly, making sure there’s no standing water. It’s also sensitive to cold — if temperatures drop below 10°C (50°F) in winter, it can get damaged, so you’ll need to bring it indoors. And in summer, keep it in partial shade to avoid leaf burn.

That said, Guanyin bamboo does have its advantages — its compact size is great for small spaces, and its dense foliage purifies the air slightly better than lucky bamboo. If you have limited space and enjoy taking care of plants, Guanyin bamboo can be a good choice. But if this is your first plant or you don’t have much time for maintenance, go with lucky bamboo — it’s very forgiving and will stay green with minimal effort.

In short:
Guanyin bamboo and lucky bamboo may look alike, but they are not the same plant and require different care. Beginners should start with lucky bamboo since it’s easier and low-maintenance, while more experienced plant lovers who enjoy a bit of a challenge (and like compact plants) can try Guanyin bamboo. Either way, with a little care, both can thrive and stay beautifully green.