About Bamboo

Bamboo's natural ranges includes every continent except Europe and Antarctica.  We once had 5 million acres of native American bamboo known as Cane brake (Arundinaria gigantea) growing in our Southeastern quarter. This bamboo and its ecosystem were soon greatly diminished in area by the migration of settlers in the early 19th century. The bamboo grew in good soil and was cleared for farmland.  It appears that Southeast Asia has been heavily forested for many  years. This is still one of the areas of dense bamboo forests remaining in the world. Today, the use of bamboo has more significance to Asian cultures than any other. Evidence of bamboo use is found in South America. Some excavations of early dwellings have imprints of bamboo canes and split, woven material preserved in the mud or adobe used in the construction. Bamboo is an incredible grass that has long been in use by people around the globe. In our modern world it is finding a new place in the spectrum of plants, fibers and foods used to enhance the quality of our lives. We are not simply talking about one plant. Bamboo is a large group of giant grasses with over 1,200 species found from the tropics to temperate regions.

About the Climate

 Do you live in a tropical , subtropical or temperate zone? Note the hardiness or minimum temperature listed for each bamboo species on this site. Tropical bamboo may only be grown permanently outdoors in areas that are frost free. This probably is USDA Zone 10 only: areas like Southern Florida, Southern California and Hawaii. Tropical bamboo may be grown indoors or in greenhouse environments if care is given to maintain steady warm temperatures throughout the year. Subtropical bamboo are somewhat tolerant to frost. They grow well in USDA Zones 9 and 10 with marginal performance of some species in Zone 8. These hardier selections are useful for areas like much of coastal California, the Gulf States and the tropical areas, as well as interior use. The temperate bamboo are quite frost hardy. Some withstand temperatures to -20 F or USDA Zones 4 and 5. Most will grow around the country in Zones 6, 7, 8, 9, and many, in 10. Many do well as house plants.

Bamboo Economics

 Bamboo Economics are not intuitive. Normally we think of plants that grow only up, but bamboo grows fastest horizontally, not vertically.  It is the spreading nature of bamboo that makes it so attractive.

Once a bamboo shoot reaches full height and produces leaves, it never gets any taller or larger in diameter. It is done for life. So, how fast does bamboo grow? It doesn't grow at all!  But each year the new shoots are bigger and reach farther away.

• Large plants are a more cost effective landscape option.
• Small plants will not continue to grow larger when contained, they will produce the same size shoots for years to come.
• Large plants already look good and will produce large shoots in the next years.
• A small plant can be dinner for a gopher in just one day. Gophers can slow the spreading of large plants but do not kill them.
• Large plants rapidly spread, even in marginal conditions.  Small plants are susciptable to harsh conditions.
• For the same dollars spent, privacy is created with large plants in about 1/3 the time as small plants.

Planting Instructions

The Planting Site 

While bamboo will grow in most soils it is important to remember it is not a pond plant or a desert plant. It likes water on a regular basis, particularly in summer. Bamboo likes to grow at the edge of a pond, stream or swampy area but not in it. Irrigation is necessary in the west where summers are dry, clear and hot. In the east where summer rains are a regular occurrence irrigation is not necessary except for newly planted bamboo or under drought conditions. Soil range can be from sandy to clay. Bamboo grows fast and easily in sandy/loamy soils, however, watering and feeding will need to be more frequent. Heavier soils nurture bamboo nicely. In both cases a heavy mulch of wood chips encourages rhizome growth and maintains even moisture levels.  Soil pH is recommended at between 5.5 and 6.5 or slightly acid for most species. Avoid using lime on bamboo.  Generally, species that tolerate drier conditions may do better in higher pH soils. Bamboo are not salt tolerant so plant 100 yards from the ocean. Some varieties such as “Temple” are more salt tolerant and better for ocean front. Don't plant in marshy soil, in California you will need to water. Bamboo grows in a wide range of soil types and in full or partial sun

Typical spacing  is as follows.  Space dwarf bamboos 18” apart, shrub size 30”, tall shrub sizes 3' and timber sizes 5' to 6' apart.

Spreading or Clumping Bamboo

 Many gardeners are frightened by the running bamboo species which send out rhizomes that may travel for several feet. These are the culprits of bamboo's bad reputation among western gardeners. Fortunately, running bamboo can be contained. Spreading types can be contained and are generally much more attractive than clumping bamboo.

Clumping bamboo has a different type of rhizome growth that results in the rhizome being very short and, sometimes, almost bulbous. The bamboo that grow only inches away from the center of the plant with densely clustered culms are called clumping bamboo. In basic terms, the spreading or running bamboo are found in the more temperate climates. The clumping bamboo is of more tropical origin. The open grove spreading bamboo is what you may see in photographs of people walking through a forest of bamboo. Clumping bamboo forms tight thickets of canes that are impossible to walk into without cutting your way through first. Most are not very attractive. These are the well behaved bamboo that stay put when planted. The spreading bamboo will easily form an attractive grove. The best way to enjoy spreading bamboo in the garden is in pots or in a designated area with the bamboo contained by rhizome barrier.