Does Bamboo Need Light? Light Requirements for Bamboo

• Bamboo is a light-loving plant that prefers bright, indirect light. It needs 4-6 hours of sunlight per day to grow properly.
• Lucky bamboo is a dark room plant that grows even in low-light rooms. It does not require much light.
• Larger bamboo varieties thrive in 5-6 hours of sunlight a day. Other varieties need 6-8 hours of sunlight daily to grow well.

Light and Growth

• If your bamboo gets over 8 hours of direct sun daily, provide some shade. Shade or increased humidity around the plant can prevent sunburn or leaf damage.
• Light affects most bamboo. Bamboo in shade grows taller than bamboo in full sun to reach more light. Bamboo turns yellow due to insufficient light.

Lucky Bamboo Characteristics

• Lucky bamboo grows best in low, indirect light. Although called bamboo, it is not real bamboo but a dracaena. It needs some light to survive and will not grow well in near darkness.

Growing Bamboo in Different Light Conditions

• Bamboo plants can survive without direct sunlight. Most varieties need at least 4-6 hours of bright, indirect light daily to grow well. Larger varieties require more sunlight – around 5-6 hours daily. More shade-tolerant kinds, like lucky bamboo, still need 6-8 hours of indirect light per day.