Lucky bamboo plant

They are very easy to care for. I think the most important thing is to change the water now and then. They don't want very much fertilizer. Some grow in water for years with no fertilizer at all, but they do not like chorine, so I always put filtered water on mine. I have never grown one in dirt, just hydroponically. You might want to loosen the twist tie if it is tight. They will grow in just about any light. They grow fast and when you trim them back you can root the cuttings and make more plants for free.

don't let it dry out and keep it away from cats

I wish I knew. I bought one for my mother one time. I think they are pretty cool. I'd like to have something like that if I knew how to keep it alive.

Lucky bamboo is always available in malls here especially during Chinese lunar new year, yes they are tied with red or gold ribbons. They come here with a multi colored gelatin like substance for potting which you can buy separately if you want to add some more, guess it's a good substitute for water cause it does not spill, I just do not know if it also contain nutrients needed by the plant.

Hello Trace86! I love plants. My Mom has lots of them provided for our veranda. I do not supervise them, I just watch my Mom how she does everything to keep them alive and beautiful. You will just have to do the basics, like watering it everyday (but be careful, too much watering could drown them, once to twice a day with normal sprinkles will do), and making sure they get enough sunlight. You won't really have to take away the tie that holds the stalk together because of its purpose. Without it, the stalks would spread out and possibly ruin the plant itself and/or how it looks. Please do not put it on your dresser the whole day, you must at least expose it to sunlight. Fertilizers would also be of great help in growing, maintaining, and feeding your plant better. Fertilizers can be replaced every week, or once every two weeks if it can self-produce worms for maintenance.