Bamboo Plant Turning Yellow | Treat and Prevent Ultimate Guide

Injury to the Bamboo Plants

The main reason why your bamboo plant is turning yellow is due to injuries.

Typically, the damage is from tying the ribbon too tight, falling over, damages from pets, plucked leaves, broken stems, and too much pruning.

If you notice extreme yellowing or a yellowing that is combined with a withered or mushy texture, then your plant is close to dying and should no longer be saved.

Over Fertilization of Bamboo Plants

If the stalks and the leaves of the bamboo plant are turning yellow, especially when it starts at the bottom is a sign that you have over fertilized the plant.

If you have fed the plant just recently, start changing the water and avoid adding fertilizer.

Let the bamboo recover first, which will usually take a few weeks or months. The best way to fertilize the plant is twice every year using a liquid fertilizer houseplant.

You can also skip this since there are people who don’t feed their bamboo plants but are surviving.

Using the Wrong Type of Water

Some people think that they can just use any water for their bamboo plants. Using tap water may contain certain chemicals that can damage the plant.

The best type of water to use are distilled or filtered ones.

Exposing In Too Much Sunlight

Bamboo plants need to be exposed in bright filtered or indirect sunlight. This condition can usually be found in a side table or a countertop, right next to a sunny window.

If you position the bamboo plant in direct sunlight, it will instantly experience burns that will appear yellow in color.

The same goes for plants that are not getting enough light since yellow leaves might start to develop as well.

If this happens, place your bamboo plant in a better place, and the leaves will start healing on its own in a couple of weeks.

Start Arranging the Stalks

The first thing that you need to do is to arrange the bamboo’s stalks. Typically, you need to look for young stalks so you can start organizing them efficiently.

You can use your hand to gently arrange them or a wire that you can wrap around it, so you can start crisscrossing the stalks.

You may add more wire to keep the stalk stable.

Removing Yellow or Dead Leaves

If you see some leaves turning yellow or dead, then it would be best to remove them immediately.

You can eliminate the leaves using a sterilized scissors or pruning shears. You can sterilize it by rubbing vinegar or alcohol.

Once done, you can start cutting the leaves but make sure to follow the shape of the leaves. You can also just pull it at the base itself.

Propagating Your Bamboo Plant

Once the stalks are becoming too tall, start cutting them so you can replant. This will make sure that your bamboo plant won’t become overly crowded. 

For a more comprehensive tutorial, check out our guide on how to grow and care for lucky bamboo.