Three Ways To Grow Bamboo

Green bamboo stalks next to bamboo wood flooring
  • 1-4 hours
  • Beginner
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Learning to grow bamboo is an easy undertaking because it sprouts easily and grows quickly indoors or out, requiring only minimal care. Originating in the mountains of China, bamboo roots in water, and can be healthfully grown without the presence of a soil medium. Also, bamboo can be grown as a part of a container garden or outdoors directly in the ground. This article explains the three most popular ways to grow bamboo: in water, in a container, and outdoors in the garden.

1. Grow in Water

Since bamboo roots in water you can grow and sustain it solely through the medium of water. This opens up the possibility of planting the bamboo in numerous aesthetically pleasing translucent containers. These containers can be embellished by adding colored glass marbles or natural river rock to the bottom of the container.

Place the embellishments at the bottom of the container and fill the rest with fresh water. Place the bamboo in the top of the container and allow the roots to spread out in the container. Make sure there is room at the top of the container for you to add in more water. Treat the bamboo plant in an identical manner as you would any plant that lives in soil. Feed once a month with liquid fertilizer and the bamboo plant will thrive.

2. Grow in Container

row of bamboo in containers

Bamboo does well in containers as long as the container is large enough to accommodate future growth. It is best to plant your bamboo in a one-gallon container and then increase the size of the container every year. Use well-draining organic potting soil as a growing medium and fertilize with liquid or granular organic fertilizer monthly according to the prescribed directions.

Be careful not to over water when growing plants in containers because excess moisture causes many diseases and attracts pests. Only water the bamboo plant when the top inch of potting soil has dried. It is best to water your bamboo with room temperature distilled water to avoid feeding the bamboo harsh chemicals.

3. Grow Outside in the Yard

Bamboo grows well in moderate climates and is commonly used as an organic privacy fence or garden border. Bamboo is also attractive enough to stand alone in your yard as a decorative accessory.

Bamboo is best raised in partial sun and does not do well in fully shaded areas however; it is such a hardy plant that it will adapt to withstand almost any lighting condition. Plant bamboo in soil that retains moisture but drains well; excessively rocky soil should be avoided.

In the midst of spring, you will need to eradicate any runners that have grown astray from the mother bamboo plant. If allowed to develop and grow, before long you will have an invasive bamboo problem. This can be avoided by removing runners and cutting back new growth as it becomes established.