Lucky Bamboo Plant Wedding Favors

From LoveToKnow Weddings

Lucky bamboo plant wedding favors are an attractive and inexpensive way to inject Asian and new age décor into a wedding celebration as well as for the bride and groom to share some of their good fortune with their guests.

Simple lucky bamboo favor.

About Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo isn’t really bamboo at all. Its scientific, botanical name is dracaena sanderiana, and it is a type of water lily native to the equatorial and tropical regions of Africa. Because of the plant’s hardiness, however, it has been spread throughout the world by house plant aficionados, feng shui denizens, and curious horticulturists. Today, lucky bamboo is a popular plant for both experienced and novice growers, as well as anyone simply interested in a beautiful living plant to spruce up their décor.

Types of Lucky Bamboo Plant Wedding Favors

Lucky bamboo itself is very simple: a straight green shoot that can be cultivated into elaborate twirls and curls or may sprout flowing leaves from its cut end. Wedding favors that incorporate this simple plant, however, can be as elaborate as the couple wishes depending on the number of shoots used, which pots are chosen, and any individual personalization.

Shoots

Because lucky bamboo plants are often used for feng shui and other symbolic decorations, the number of shoots used in wedding favor arrangements can be very significant. Many couples opt for a single lucky bamboo shoot not only because it is most cost effective, but also because a single stalk symbolizes simplicity and innocence. Two stalks can represent both the bride and groom as well as the love in their happy relationship, while three lucky shoots symbolize happiness, fertility, and family. Using greater than three stalks isn’t recommended for wedding favors because as more stalks are added, the cost escalates.

Pots

Couples can also choose from a wide range of pots to create lucky bamboo plant wedding favors. Clear pots, such as votive candle holders or shot glasses are especially popular, but couples should be aware that algae may grow inside clear pots, clouding the water and making them less attractive. Other types of pots perfect for lucky bamboo shoots include cracked glass decorative pots, flared pots, square dishes, miniature terra cotta pots, or small ceramic containers.

Gravel

The gravel inside the lucky bamboo pot can add a great decorative accent to the favor. Many couples choose aquarium gravel, marbles, or pebbles to match the colors of the bridal party dresses or other wedding décor if they opt for a clear pot. Classic gravel, sand, or even dirt can be a great natural accent, especially if the couple chooses an environmentally conscious wedding ceremony.

Personalization

Lucky bamboo plant wedding favors are easy to personalize even beyond the color and type of gravel. Pots can be engraved or etched with bride and groom clipart or other symbols, the couple’s names, wedding date, or meaningful Chinese characters for added Asian flair. Color-coordinated or embroidered ribbons are great accents to tie around either the stalks or the pot. Many couples tie care tags with personalized sentiments to the pots to express their thanks and good wishes to their guests as well as to give them tips for caring for their living unique wedding favor.

Buying and Caring for Lucky Bamboo

While it is possible to buy ready-made lucky bamboo plant wedding favors in several sizes, most couples opt for homemade wedding favors because they are far less expensive. When purchased in bulk, lucky bamboo shoots can be as little as 10 or 15 cents each for a 3-4 inch tall straight stalk, though longer stalks or those with curls and twists can cost $10 or more each.

Keep roots moist.

When purchasing lucky bamboo, look for stalks that are a bright green color without yellow or brown spots or bruises. Any leaves should also be bright green without faded or discolored edges, and the cut ends of the stalk should be even and firm, with no signs of insect infestations. If buying the lucky bamboo from an online dealer, which is often the least expensive option, inspect each stalk upon arrival and arrange to exchange any imperfect shoots.

Lucky Bamboo Care

Lucky bamboo is a very hardy plant requiring little care to stay healthy, but couples should still take adequate steps to keep it vibrant before the wedding. Shoots should be kept in two inches of water (filtered water is best) unless they are planted in soil or sand; in that case, the potting material should be kept moist. Lucky bamboo thrives best in bright but indirect sunlight and away from temperature extremes such as heating or cooling vents. Using a liquid fertilizer or aquarium plant food high in nitrogen can help keep the plants at their best, but only a few drops are necessary and over-fertilization can cause discoloration.

Considerate couples will share care tips with their guests so the wedding favors can last long beyond the wedding itself. Because lucky bamboo is so easy to care for, many guests are happy to give it a good home, unlike seed wedding favors that are much more labor intensive to bring into bloom.

Incorporating More Lucky Bamboo

In addition to small arrangements for wedding favors, many couples include lucky bamboo in other parts of their wedding reception decorations. Longer stalks can be integrated into wedding flower arrangements, or the wedding favors themselves can be clustered into tiers or patterns for greater impact. If couples enjoy the Asian accents of lucky bamboo but don’t want to overdo the effect, they may also consider bonsai trees, origami figurines, or miniature Chinese takeout wedding favor boxes in their décor.

Lucky bamboo plant wedding favors are a popular and beautiful option rich in symbolism. With an endless array of personalization options, these pretty green stalks are easy and fun to include in any wedding celebration.

Learn More

Slideshows and Quizzes

Top 5 Weddings Articles

Related Articles

Comments

I bought my lucky bamboo wedding favors from Lucky Bamboo Garden (bamboo4luck.com) They not only had great prices but assisted me in figuring out what would work best for my wedding and with my budget. I had 3 stalks of different lengths in a beautiful ceramic pot. I bought gravel that matched my wedding color from a local store. The favors were a hit and everyone loved them.

-- Contributed by: Kisa69