Bamboo gets a bad rap. Famous for spreading rapidly through underground rhizomes, it’s a plant that a lot of gardeners deem not worth the trouble. And while some varieties of bamboo can take over if not kept in check, there’s one surefire way to prevent those rhizomes from getting all over your yard: growing bamboo in pots. Keep reading to learn more about container grown bamboo and caring for bamboo in pots.
Growing Bamboo in Containers
Bamboo varieties can be split into two main categories: running and clumping. It’s the running ones that spread all over garden if you let them, while clumping varieties stay put and expand at a slow and respectable rate. Growing bamboo in pots is possible for both varieties, though there will be a difference in how quickly you have to repot them.
Bamboo grows a lot, even the clumping kind, and leaving it in the same pot for too long will make it become root bound and weak, eventually killing it. Since running bamboo puts out so many runners, it’s likely to become root bound much faster.
Part of caring for bamboo in pots is making sure it has ample room for its roots. Ten gallons (38 L.) is the smallest reasonable container size, and bigger is always better. Big 25- to 30-gallon (95-114 L.) wine barrels are ideal.
If your container grown bamboo is in a smaller pot, you’ll have to either transplant it or divide it every few years to keep it healthy. Bamboo can be transplanted at any time of year, but division should take place in the autumn or winter.
How to Care for Bamboo in Containers
Other than root space, caring for bamboo in pots is easy. Bamboo needs plenty of water and good drainage. In the winter, the roots are at risk of cold. Protect them by wrapping the pot in burlap or mulching heavily. If you have especially cold winters, it might be safest and easiest to bring your container grown bamboo indoors. Keep the plants at 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit (4-10 C.) and give them plenty of light until outdoor temperatures rise again.
-
9 Contemporary Small Garden Ideas – Maximize Style With A Modern DesignSome simple conceptual ideas can transform even the tiniest plot from humdrum to dream design. Try these 9 contemporary small garden ideas to modernize your plot
-
5 Best Plant Identification Apps – Most Accurate Tools To Help You ID PlantsAn ID app is only as good as its database. Some are a bit costly, some have ads or free trial offers, some are citizen-driven. Maybe offer some valuable input of your own.
-
Bamboo Winter Care – How To Winterize Bamboo PlantsWinterizing bamboo is important to facilitate continued growth again in spring. Click here to get some tips for your bamboo during winter.
-
Desert Bamboo Varieties – Growing Bamboo In The DesertGrowing bamboo in the desert or finding one desert climates starts with the right plant selection. Click here for choices that do well in arid climates.
-
Large Bamboo Division: Learn When To Split Potted Bamboo PlantsBamboo plants are wonderful plants to grow in pots. Many varieties are invasive when planted in the ground, so growing them in pots is a great solution, but they will grow pretty quickly and can be a challenge to repot. This article can help with that.
-
Bamboo Mite Information – Learn How To Kill Bamboo Spider MitesWhat are bamboo mites? Native to Japan, bamboo mites are troublesome little pests that feed on bamboo and a few grasses in the bamboo family. Managing bamboo mites isn?t easy, but it?s possible. You can learn more about bamboo mite control in the following article.
-
Black Bamboo Info: Tips On Growing Black BambooWhile bamboo provides the instant gratification of being a fast grower, some varieties of bamboo can become very invasive and grow out of control. Is black bamboo invasive? Click on this article for the answer and learn how to care for black bamboo.
-
Bamboo With Brown Tips: Reasons Why Bamboo Plant Tips Are BrownMy bamboo is turning brown; is that normal? The answer is - maybe, or maybe not! If you?re noticing your bamboo plant tips are brown, it?s time to do some troubleshooting to determine the cause. This article can help with that.
-
Bamboo Plant Types – What Are Some Common Bamboo VarietiesIf you plan accordingly and pay attention to what variety you?re planting, bamboo can be a great addition to your garden. Take a look at this article to learn about different varieties of bamboo. Click here for more info.
-
Yellowing Bamboo Leaves: Help For Yellow Bamboo LeavesBamboo is a popular ornamental and edible plant. While these plants are generally hardy, when bamboo leaves are yellow, this could signal an issue. Click this article to learn more about why this happens and what can be done about it.
