Synonymous with pandas and as strong as them too, bamboos are among the most popular foliage plants there are, and understandably so as far as we’re concerned. With their quick growth, striking stems and attractive lanceolate leaves, bamboo plants add character, privacy and texture wherever they’re planted. In this guide, we’ll be walking you through how to plant these iconic garden denizens, ranging from variety choice through to long-term aftercare, and everything in between.

Jump to:

• Choosing the right bamboo
• Clumping versus running bamboo
• Planting bamboo
• Watering bamboo
• Feeding bamboo
• Pruning bamboo
• Lifting and dividing bamboo

Choosing the right bamboo for your garden

The bamboo you opt for depends on what your gardening goals are; if you want to quickly make a privacy screen, for instance, then something like arrow bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica) works brilliantly, its gently spreading culms creating a dense, bushy hedge.

If, by contrast, you only have a small patio space to work with, then you want a less vigorous, more compact bamboo that can grow in a container – dragon head bamboo (Fargesia rufa) is an excellent choice for this. If you’re worried about managing your bamboo plants, then a good rule of thumb is to go for clumping rather than running bamboo.

Clumping versus running bamboo

Do any bamboo browsing online and you’ll inevitably have come across the terms clumping and running. We’ve previously written a whole guide on the differences between these two plant types, but the main takeaway to know is that it refers to the way in which the bamboo plant’s rhizomes (roots) are structured.

Clumping bamboo plants have sympodial rhizomes which form a clump of shoots (hence the name clumping) while running bamboo plants have monopodial rhizomes which spread horizontally underground and lead to plants popping up away from where they were initially planted. In short, clumping bamboos are more self-contained than running bamboos.

How to grow bamboo

Planting

Most bamboo plants like a fully sunny spot but will still grow well in partial shade. In terms of soil, they appreciate moist but well-drained, loamy soil. If we’re being really particular then soil skewing towards the slightly acidic is perfect. If your soil is naturally a bit on the heavy side, then amending with some compost or horticultural grit can be beneficial.

If you’re growing bamboo in a container, then soil-based compost like John Innes No. 3 works well. Clumping bamboos are generally more compact and therefore better-suited to container growing, however planting running bamboos is still viable, and has the benefit of keeping the plant nice and contained.

Watering

Bamboo plants require regular watering when establishing for their first couple of growing seasons, particularly during hot, dry spells. Bamboo plants grown in pots will need more routine watering than their ground-grown counterparts, as their compost will dry out more quickly.

If the top layer of soil/compost feels dry to touch, it’s probably worth giving your bamboo a watering – particularly pot-grown plants. Another sign your plant needs watering is if the leaves start to curl lengthways (along the sides). Conversely, if the plant’s leaves are drooping then this might be a sign to dial back the watering a little bit.

Feeding

Bamboo plants in the ground don’t often need additional feeding, and the fallen leaves can actually benefit your plant(s) – the plant can reuptake the silicon from its foliage to help bolster the plant’s overall vigour.

If you notice your bamboo really not growing very well and suspect that poor-fertility soil might be to blame, then an additional sprinkling of general purpose fertiliser each spring can be beneficial. A liquid feed throughout the growing season can be helpful for container-grown bamboo plants.

Pruning

Bamboo plants don’t need too much pruning save for the odd trim to keep them nice and tidy. Remove dead, damaged and or diseased plant matter as and when you see it, and if you want to display the culms more prominently, then you can trim away some of the foliage lower down the canes. Also, if your bamboo plant is getting a bit too big for its boots and going on a growth spurt, then you can cut down the canes to keep them to their allotted space.

Lifting and dividing

If your bamboo plant is becoming overgrown, you might want to consider lifting the plant and dividing it into several smaller, individual plants. To do this, gently dig out your plant with a garden fork, then shake the soil off the rhizomes as best you can.

Using a saw or a mattock, separate the bamboo plant into smaller clumps, then replant them as you would any other plant. Once you’ve firmed your plants back in, give them a good watering. This lifting and dividing process is best done between March and May.

Final thoughts

Bamboo plants work brilliantly in contemporary, urban and Japanese-style gardens – in fact, they work wonderfully in pretty much any garden! Just watch out for those pesky pandas whilst you’re at it. While you’re here, make sure to check out our guide to privacy screening plants to create your own secluded paradise.