Troubleshooting Lucky Bamboo
Prevent tip burn by using filtered or bottled water. Tip burn is when the leaves start to become dry and dead. This often happens when there are chemicals in the water. Setting your tap water out may not be enough – you may need to switch to bottled water to get your plant to look healthy. Once it gets tip burn, it may be hard to get rid of. Even if you do switch water, some chemicals may reside in the plant. You may just have to wait it out as it should go away eventually.
Trim the plant. Over time, most of these plants become top heavy. Because of this, trimming is very important for it to stay healthy. Don't cut off the main stalk, just the offshoots. Use sterile snippers to do so. Trim them off within an inch or two (2.5 - 5 cm) of the base. New shoots will emerge and the plant will be bushier and healthier.
Pay attention to the color of the leaves. If they're dry and dying, that's a water problem as discussed above. If they're yellowing, that's often a result of too much sunlight or too much fertilizer. If they're brown, try making the area more humid by spraying the plant with water. As for mushy leaves, this plant could be beyond saving. Remove them immediately, change the water, and replant what you have left.
Cut the plant if you must. If part of the plant is dying, you may have to cut it off. This could also happen if you don't like the shape the plant is taking on. Whatever you do, don't throw away the trimmings – they can be made into a new plant. New shoots will emerge from the bottom, older piece of the plant, and the top section can be potted to grow on its own. If you have a dying plant, get rid of the decaying parts immediately. Take any alive stems or branches and immediately repot them. They may flourish on their own if you take swift action.