What is invasive bamboo and how can identify the non-invasive clumping bamboo plants?
There are several ways to look at it, but the easiest way to identify a bamboo as clumping or running is to look at the structure and formation of the base.
The clumping bamboo and running bamboo plants have distinct rooting systems, which make it easy, to identify them. We cover the parts of clumping bamboo in this article.
We also identified the pros and cons of growing the invasive running bamboos, and what you can do to contain them.
The best thing to do is to wear heavy-duty gardening gloves and boots when working in the bamboo garden.
Tidying up your bamboo garden is a great way to monitor the growth of the plants.
The bamboo care and maintenance jobs you do will keep your bamboo in good shape. But bamboo splinters and cutting edges are sharp with the potential to cause nasty cuts.
We need to protect ourselves when working with bamboos.
Let’s take a look at the common hazards to look out for.
Why wear heavy-duty gardening gloves?
Bamboos are biodegradable. They’ll break down within a couple of years.
But fresh bamboo splinters can inflict cuts to the body, which can lead to serious infections. Wearing gloves is the best way to protect you from bacterial infections.
Bamboo cuts may not be a major concern if they are washed, cleaned and treated immediately.
The concern is that microorganisms in the garden can enter your body through cuts and cause serious infections.
The important thing is to prevent cuts, scrapes or splinters by wearing gardening gloves.
Bamboo gardening hazards
New bamboo plants and established bamboo groves pose different risks. As mentioned, the main concern is to avoid cuts from bamboo splinters and strips.
Gardeners who have worked with bamboo will attest to the fact the bamboo splits are very sharp. Cuts are like paper cuts but deeper.
The potential for infection is high. So, here are 5 hazards to look out for when working in the bamboo garden.
Splitting bamboo pot plants
Splitting bamboo before planting is the best way to get several plants out of a single purchase.
Wear gardening gloves when splitting bamboo to protect yourself from the dirt.
Sharp bamboo strips
Bamboo strips are sharp due to the way the bamboo culms grow. Split bamboos tend to have a lacerated edge.
Fortunately, many garden bamboo plants in the UK do not require splitting. They are mostly used as garden sticks for staking plants. But if you are working with split bamboos and bamboo splinters, always wear gloves for protection.
Bamboo edge cuttings
Remove the old bamboo culms neatly by cutting across the cross-section. This will prevent any sharp bits from sticking out at the base of the bamboo groves and causing injuries.
Ominously, the base of the culms lasts longer than the other parts of the bamboo because they are strong. Any past cutting can cause nasty cuts to bare hands.
Bamboo splinters in garden soil
If you are using bamboo sticks in the past year, you are likely to find remains in the soil. You do not have to worry if you pulled all the bamboo sticks out neatly.
However, be cautious that the remains of bamboo sticks in the soil can enter your fingers with great ease. So, look out for any bamboo remains in the garden soil if you used it recently.
Wear heavy-duty garden gloves or thorn-proof gardening gloves when weeding and planting.
Pulling bamboos from the grove
Injuries to the hands can happen when pulling bamboos out of a grove. Bamboo branches spread and form a strong interconnecting network.
It can be really hard to pull them out.
If your grip on the bamboo slips and accidentally catches a sharp strip, it can be nasty. Cuts could be deep.
Therefore, if you are going to cut a bamboo stick for garden plants or remove old culms, always wear a pair of heavy-duty gardening gloves to prevent bamboo cuts.
If you want a pair of heavy-duty and thorn-proof gardening gloves, here's one you'll like:
Cuts and scrapes caused by bamboo splinters and strips can get infected very quickly.
Wearing gloves is the best way to protect you from bacterial infections regardless of how old you are.
Protection is better than cure.
Comment and let us know what you think.
How far do bamboo plants spread? There are different types of bamboo plants, some are running bamboo plants and others are clumping bamboo plants.
The running bamboo plants do spread, so 'always' build a bamboo barrier when growing the running varieties.
How long do bamboo plants spread?
Always use the bamboo roots/rhizome barrier when growing the running bamboo plants. They are invasive.
The rhizomes will spread to other parts of the garden if you do not have a barrier in place. We recommend putting in a root barrier before growing the running bamboo.
Alternatively, grow bamboo in heavy-duty pots. The bamboo plants will start to spread in the first year of planting. In fact, the rhizomes are underground stems.
The new (running) shoots growing above the ground indicate that new rhizomes are also growing underground.
The growth is prominent after 5 years. That means that bamboo can stay inactive underground until the condition is right for them to put out new shoots.
So, the running bamboo plants will spread after you’ve planted them or remain inactive until the condition is right.
Either way, always use a bamboo barrierwhen growing the running bamboo.
Building a bamboo root barrier
Check out the video and see how we build the running bamboo root barrier.
How far do bamboo plants spread? There are different types of bamboo plants, some are running bamboo plants and others are clumping bamboo plants. Always build a root barrier when growing the running bamboo plants.
Bamboo plants will give out new shoots every year in spring. These new shoots will be bigger in size and longer than the previous year’s shoots.
The size of new bamboo shoots remains the same as it matures into a culm.
How do bamboo plants grow?
The growth behaviour of running and clumping bamboo plants, generally, determines how long they live.
Whether in the garden or in pots they will grow in the same way, nonetheless.
Bamboo plants will give out new shoots every year in spring. These new shoots grow longer than the previous year’s shoots.
Note that the bamboo shoots will get bigger as they grow year after year, but a new shoot will remain the same size as it matures into a full-grown bamboo. Read about How long bamboo plants last.
You’ll have a bigger and longer bamboo plant, and the bamboo grove will also increase in size. In retrospect, the bamboo shoots do not expand in size as the trees and shrubs do.
The size of the new shoot remains the same until it thins out at the top at maximum height.
A bamboo plant will reach its matured height anytime between 5 and 10 years depending on the variety.
The common bamboos in the UK often reach their maximum heights (and produce full-size shoots) within 5 years.
The bamboo grove can live 30 - 50 years. They have a regenerative growth pattern where new shoots will grow again and again.
So, every year you’ll have a longer plant and bigger shoots as your bamboo grove takes shape.
Bamboo plants vs bamboo grove
How long bamboo plants last depend on the growth of the individual plants and the regenerative behaviour of the plants in the grove.
Some bamboo plants will live in the soil until the condition is right before they put out new shoots. Others will spread pretty quickly.
Generally, the common bamboo plants that grow in the UK, US and other cooler regions will last for 30 – 50 years. And, they will continue to grow as long as the condition is right.
Is your lucky bamboo turning yellow? You can potentially lose it if you do not take immediate actions to save it.
Lucky bamboo plants are not related in any way to the running or clumping bamboos, but rather one of the 40 cultivated species of the Dracaena group of plants. They are native to the Pacific Islands, especially Papua New Guinea, South East Asia and parts of Africa.
How to revive lucky bamboo turning yellow?
Lucky bamboo plants are tropical plants.
Generally, they are resilient to high temperatures, humidity and pests in the wild. But, several factors can affect their growth indoors.
We discuss the five common ones towards the end of this article.
First, here is how to revive a lucky bamboo plant in 3 steps if it turns yellow.
Separate the dying yellow lucky bamboo. Use the pair of secateurs to tidy up the stalks and yellow leaves.
Then, dip both the top & bottom ends of the cut lucky bamboo stalks in candle wax to prevent rotting. Then, place 3 to 5 stalks in the ‘growing medium’.
Step 2 – Making growth mixture
After that, create a growth-boosting mixture by mixing equal amounts of aloe vera gel and plant rooting powder.
Add the mixture into the ‘growing medium’.
Then, add water.
(Aloe vera gel and plant rooting powder are ideal for reviving dying plants. They are rich in nutrients the new plants need to grow)
Finally, put them in a shaded area. The plants should show signs of new healthy plants after the first week.
Best way to revive a lucky bamboo turning yellow
Image: @Twitter
Use either fresh rainwater or distilled water when replanting lucky bamboo, and when replenishing water in the pots.
Do not use tap water as it contains chlorine which tends to disturb the growth of new roots and shoots.
Prep the stalks neatly, and use rooting hormone and aloe vera to promote growth. Also, use a candle to stop the stems from rotting.
The chance of lucky bamboo plants surviving is slim if the stalks have turned golden yellow, and become squishy and wrinkling. This is the point of no return.
Separate the plant, and take action as soon as the leaves and stems turn yellow, and before the stalks turn from green to yellow.
How long before lucky bamboo plants recover?
As mentioned, the running bamboo will regenerate after 7, some quicker. But all in all, signs of new growth are eminent within the two weeks.
After that, you can re-pot the plant or leave them to grow in the ‘growing medium’.
In a case where you do not see any activity, the best thing to do is to give the plants time to grow. Check the water and any signs of rotting in the stems.
There are several reasons why lucky bamboo leaves and stalks turn yellow. Below are the 5 common reasons why the yellowing of leaves happens.
Lucky bamboo leaves often turn yellow due to the lack of one (or more of) these plants’ growth needs.
They are important for the lucky bamboo to grow.
1. Freshwater
Use rainwater or distilled water. Lucky bamboo does not like warm water. Ensure that the water temperature remains consistent at room temperature, 20 - 25 degrees Celcius is ideal.
2. Sun
Place your lucky bamboo where it receives a good dose of filtered sunlight to regulate photosynthesis. They are tolerant to shade, but not to direct sunlight.
3. Improve humidity
Indoor air is often dry, it lacks good water content. In fact, lucky bamboo loves high humidity in the highs of 50%.
Let fresh air indoors. This will improve transpiration which is vital for the plant's natural colours.
4. Check the indoor room temperature
Indoor temperature is higher where there are electrical appliances. Like in 3 (humidity), the indoor temperature is vital for the houseplants.
The heat emitted by electrical appliances can affect the lucky bamboo plants. Check the indoor temperature if your plants show signs of distress.
5. Prevent rotting bamboo stalks
The lucky bamboo stalks will rot (where they are cut) when dipped in water. This is often the main cause of yellow leaves in lucky bamboo plants.
To avoid this problem, seal the freshly cut stalks with candle wax.
If a stalk turns yellow, it shows that it is not rooting. This is a dead plant and it should be removed and attended to immediately before it affects the other plants.
Use the 5 tips to keep your lucky bamboo happy and stop the leaves from turning yellow. Prevention is better that cure.
Grow lucky bamboo plants
In a case where your bamboo has turned yellow, revive it by using the three steps we discussed in ‘How to revive lucky bamboo turning yellow?’
In an ideal situation, prevention is better than cure. Be sure to replenish the water so that it remains clear all the time.
The bamboos are tropical plants. They will thrive in variable conditions. Attend to them immediately if you see any signs of distress in your plants.
Conclusion (Revive lucky bamboo turning yellow)
All in all, lucky bamboo plants are great indoor house plants.
As a gardener, you need to provide them with the right condition for them to thrive.
Knowing the 5 growth requirements is key to sustaining them.
Lucky bamboo plants do not belong to the real bamboo family, Poaceae. They are related to the tropical water lily plants, scientifically called Draceana sanderiana.
Its other names include Chinese Water Bamboo and Friendship Bamboo.
These plants are versatile monocots with succulent stalks, which are completely different from hollow bamboo canes.
They are native plants to the tropical regions of the South Pacific, Southeast Asia and parts of West Africa; and grow abundantly near streams or natural water pools.
The lucky bamboo plants thrive in water and that’s why they are one of the top houseplants.
They are traditionally given as gifts, symbolising success, health, goodness and wealth.
1. How fast do lucky bamboo plants grow?
Lucky bamboo is a relatively fast-growing plant. It can grow to 8 cm in a month, reaching its maximum height in one year.
2. How tall does lucky bamboo grow?
Lucky bamboo can grow to about 100 cm and spread 20 cm. But it also depends on whether the bamboo is growing in water, gravel or soil. Other indoor conditions can also affect its growth.
3. How long do lucky bamboo plants live?
It’s hard to say but like other indoor plants, its longevity depends entirely on the care they receive.
The indoor bamboo plants can live up to 5 years where conditions are the best.
Also, your plants can live longer if you re-pot them from water to soil.
4. What to do if lucky bamboo leaves and stalks turn yellow?
Absolutely, you can grow lucky bamboo in soil. You can also grow them in gravel and water.
6. What is the best way to propagate lucky bamboo?
The best (and probably) the only way to grow lucky bamboo is by using the ‘cuttings’.
7. Is lucky bamboo poisonous to cats?
Lucky bamboo is poisonous to cats and other pets when ingested. So, keep it out of reach of pet animals.
8. How can I grow lucky bamboo in water?
For best results, use distilled water and clear glass vases to grow lucky bamboo. Read about the best ways to grow them.
9. What is the difference between ‘propagating’ and ‘growing’ lucky bamboo?
These terms are used interchangeably, but propagating lucky bamboo refers to the initial phase of getting the plants to root and put out leaves before planting.
Whereas, ‘growing’ is often used when re-potting (planting) a lucky bamboo that has already been rooted.
10. What is the ‘one thing’ I must do when planting lucky bamboo?
The top tip is to use distilled water every time whether you are propagating or growing lucky bamboo or replenishing water.
Why is lucky bamboo popular?
Though lucky bamboo plants are poisonous to cats, they are becoming popular, and it is easy to see why.
They are fantastic indoor plants, undemanding and adored by traditional gardeners in many parts of the world.
Their vibrant shiny green colour is hard to miss.
They are such happy plants. They’ll grow where you put them.
Nandina domestica, widely known as nandina heavenly bamboo, heavenly bamboo or sacred bamboo, are evergreen flowering plants from the Berberidaceae family.
Nandina heavenly bamboo plants are shrubs, not real bamboo plants from the grass family, Poaceae.
Heavenly bamboo is the perfect ornamental plant for small gardens and pots.
There are several cultivars that produce stunning bright red berries and foliage in autumn and winter.
They are undemanding and low maintenance.
You can propagate heavenly bamboo plants from stem cutting, root cutting or seed.
Nandina heavenly bamboo features
Botanicalname: Nandina domestica
Commonname: Sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo
Family: Berberidaceae
Planttype: Slow-growing shrub
Nativeto: Eastern Asia to Japan
Flowersin: Summer
Berries: Bright red in Spring
Foliage: Evergreen (leaves green to bright red)
Propagationby: Root/stem cuttings, seeds
Soil: Well-drained moist, slightly acidic
Position: Full sun/Part shade
Height: 2 metres
Width: 1.5 metres
Uses: Small garden, pots and planters
Toxicity: Berries are mildly toxic to pet animals and birds if eaten in large quantities
What are the cultivars of nandina heavenly bamboo plants?
There are several types of nandina, but the 5 listed below are common in the UK.
They have white flowers in summer with stunning arrays of foliage.
Notably, the new foliage tends to change colour from summer to autumn to winter and spring. Yet, they are evergreen shrubs and do not lose their leaves through all the colour changes.
1) Nandina domestica ‘Fire Power’ – upright, evergreen shrub with bright red foliage in autumn.
3) Nandina domestica – upright, evergreen shrub with white flowers, red berries and reddish foliage in autumn and spring.
4) Nandina domestica ‘Magical Lemon and Lime’ – new foliage is light yellow to green, turning deep green as it matures.
5) Nandina domestica ‘Obsessed’– upright, evergreen shrub with white flowers and fire-engine red new shoots, foliage turn green in summer and red again in autumn as it matures.
The leaves look like those of the bamboo plants that is why it is called Heavenly Bamboo.
In fact, nandina heavenly bamboo is from the shrub family Berberidaceae and not grass family Poaceae. It is not clumping or running a bamboo plant.
Nandina doemstica plant is a good alternative to bamboo plants as it provides an evergreen cover all year round.
How to propagate heavenly bamboo?
The quickest (and probably best) way to propagate nandina heavenly bamboo is from a root cutting.
Carefully take root cutting and propagate it in a grow pot.
Use well-drained moist loam soil or a potting mixture until it is ready for transplanting.
You can also grow nandina heavenly bamboo from stem cutting. Take the cutting, preferably, in summer and grow it in a propagating medium until roots appear.
However, it can take longer compared to growing it from a root cutting
Growing heavenly bamboo from seeds can take much longer, but you can get lots of plants from the seeds.
The seeds are normally ready in late autumn and winter when it turns vibrant red.
Pick the seeds and sow them in a propagator until they grow.
Then, transplant them into grow pots before planting them in the garden.
It can take 6-12 months before transplanting them, and it depends on the conditions.
How to grow healthy heavenly bamboo in the garden?
Nandina heavenly bamboo is undemanding and easy to grow. It can grow well in any location, but the colours of the foliage and berries are prominent in the sun.
Plant in spring when new growths are emerging.
Plant Nandina heavenly bamboo in well-drained, moist soil. It will also tolerate slightly acidic soil.
Add mulch with bark chips after planting.
Water generously until they are well established.
How to prune nandina heavenly bamboo plants?
New shoots grow after pruning in spring. (Garden Bamboo Plants)
Nandina is a slow-growing plant, that rarely needs pruning. However, light trimming especially in spring may be required to promote new growth. It is also the perfect way to keep it in shape.
It is a vigorous plant and will grow new shoots as soon as spring arrives.
Cut at a 45 degrees angle from the nodes with a clean pair of secateurs.
Remove any old plant that looks tired. Take it completely off the bottom so that new plants can take over.
Conclusion
Nandina sacred heavenly bamboo plants have the perfect evergreen foliage that changes colours throughout the different seasons.
They are well-known for their beautiful white flowers in summer, and fiery red leaves and berries in winter and autumn.
They are undemanding and easy to grow.
Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream', commonly known as the Heavenly Bamboo plant, barely grows to 1.5m tall and spreads 1m.
The Nandina Gulf Stream is medium in height and spread when compared to the other nandina domestic cultivars.
This nandina is a fantastic bushy plant with evergreen foliage, perfect for small winter gardens.
Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ colouration
The new foliage is bright red. It greens up in summer, turns fiery red in autumn and winter, and changes to orange in spring.
It produces white flowers in summer followed by fire-engine red berries in winter.
The amazing changes in foliage colours are easy to know why this plant is very popular among gardeners.
Buy Nandina Domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ > Heavenly Bamboo Plants for sale.
Foliage
Flower
Berry
Spring
Orange – green
Fiery red
Summer
Green – red
White
Autumn
Fiery red
Winter
Red-orange
Fiery red
How to grow Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’?
The carefree Nandina shrub is perfect for small gardens and built areas.
Nandina Gulf Stream is a medium-sized nandina at 1.5m tall and 1m wide.
It’s adorable when mass planted or grown as an individual plant. It likes well-drained moist soil.
It also prefers a tight-spaced area where there is plenty of sunlight.
Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream' Heavenly Bamboo can tolerate part shade but avoid planting in full shade.
For the best result, grow in a location where it receives 3 – 5 hours of sunlight daily.
Planting root-bound Nandina Gulf Stream
New nandina plant come root bound with roots sticking out the sides.
Take care when removing them from the pots because any root damage can affect the new plant.
After planting, water generously until the roots are well established.
You can grow nandina shrubs at any time of the year, but the bests time is in spring when the growth is prominent.
Uses
Nandina shrubs are ideal evergreen plants for landscaping and design and for small gardens.
In particular, Nandina Gulf Stream comes alive when deciduous shrubs lose their leaves in autumn. It’s a perfect shrub for small autumn and winter gardens.
Key features
Versatile plants grow in full sun to part shade.
Evergreen shrub, grow for 15 to 20 years.
Seasonal changes in foliage colour.
Adapts to small and narrow spaces.
Is drought resistant and hardy.
Is Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream' invasive?
Some species of Nandina domestica (heavenly bamboo plants) are invasive.
They tend to grow away from the parent plants.
But, the recent nandina domestica cultivars, including Nandina ‘Gulf Stream’, are not invasive. They grow in concentrated clumps around the parent plant.
It is important to check the plant's description when buying it because there are different cultivars of Nandina domestica. Not all of them spread.
Prune nandina domestica care
New shoots grow after pruning in spring. (Garden Bamboo Plants)
Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ is undemanding, low maintenance, shrub.
It is a slow-growing plant that rarely needs pruning.
However, light trimming especially in spring may be required to promote new growth.
Pruning may be required to keep it in shape.
Remove any old plant that looks tired. Cut it completely off the bottom so that new plants can take over.
You do not have to worry about the plant dying.
It is a vigorous plant and will grow new shoots as soon as spring arrives.
We give an in-depth insight into how to propagate, grow and care for Nandina Heavenly Bamboo shrubs in the linked article.
Why is Nandina domestica called heavenly bamboo?
Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo or sacred bamboo is a shrub from the Berberidaceae family, not a grass of the family Poaceae.
In fact, the reason why it’s called heavenly bamboo is unclear. But, the leaves closely resemble bamboo leaves.
Also, the upright habit, fountain foliage and clumped base look like clumping bamboo. Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo is not real bamboo. It’s a small shrub.
Conclusion
All in all, Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ had stunning foliage, perfect for autumn and winter gardens.
It is low maintenance, draught-resistant and hardy. A versatile plant for small gardens, landscaping and designs.
Nandina domestica ‘Obsessed’, also called Obsessed Seika, is a compact shrub. A fantastic foundation plant for small gardens and pots.
Nandina obsessed is fairly small compared to the other Nandina domestica cultivars. It grows to a height of 0.7m and spreads 0.5m from the base.
Here is the common heavenly bamboo (the 'Gulf Stream').
Nandina Domestica ‘Obsessed’ Colours
The new leaves appear fiery red and turn green in the warmer months and back to red in the cooler months. This is one of the best things about the nandina domestica shrubs.
In summer, clusters of bright white flowers appear atop clusters of emerald green leaves and woody brown stems.
The amazing changes in foliage colours are easy to know why this plant is very popular among gardeners.
Season
Foliage
Flower
Berry
Spring
Fiery Red
Red
Summer
Green
White
Autumn
Fiery Red
Winter
Red
Red
How To Grow Nandina Domestica ‘Obsessed’?
Nandina Obsessed shrub is perfect for small gardens and pots. It’s adorable when mass planted in the garden or as an individual plant in pots. It likes well-drained moist soil.
The Nandina Obsessed also prefers a tight-spaced area where there is plenty of light.
They can tolerate part shade but avoid planting in full shade.
For the best result, grow in a location where it receives 3 – 5 hours of sunlight daily.
New nandina heavenly bamboo plants often come root bound in pots. Take care of the roots when transplanting. Any root damage can affect the new plant.
After planting, water generously until the roots are well established.
Uses Of Nandina Domestica ‘Obsessed’
Like other Nandina domestica shrubs, this plant comes alive when deciduous shrubs lose their leaves in autumn.
It’s a perfect shrub for small autumn and winter gardens.
You can grow nandina shrubs at any time of the year, but the bests time is in spring when the growth is prominent.
For best effects, grow them in clusters with the taller plants in the background and Nandina Obsessed in the front.
Some species of Nandina domestica (heavenly bamboo plants) are fairly invasive.
Nandina Obsessed tends to throw its roots away from the parent plants.
Though it is not intrusive like the real running bamboo plants, it will spread.
You can take the root cuttings and propagate new plants that way.
Prune Nandina Domestica
New shoots grow after pruning in spring. (Garden Bamboo Plants)
Nandina domestica ‘Obsessed’ is a low-maintenance shrub.
It’s slow-growing and rarely needs pruning. However, light trimming especially in spring may be required to promote new growth.
Also, pruning may be required to keep it in shape. Remove any old plant that looks tired.
We give an in-depth insight into how to propagate, grow and care for Nandina Heavenly Bamboo shrubs in the linked article. Find out what you need to know about these stunning plants.
Why Is Nandina Domestica Called Heavenly Bamboo?
The reason why it’s called heavenly bamboo is unclear. However, the leaves resemble bamboo leaves.
Also, the upright habit, fountain foliage and clumped base look like those of the clumping bamboo plants. This is why the Nandina domestica shrubs are sometimes called heavenly bamboo plants.
Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo is not real bamboo. It’s a small shrub.
All in all, Nandina domestica ‘Obsessed’ is a compact shrub with stunning foliage and fiery red berries. Perfect for autumn and winter gardens, mass planting or landscaping.
It is low maintenance, draught-resistant and hardy shrub.
Bamboo plants are either runners or clumpers. The running bamboos are invasive and should be planted within barriers or in pots. Clumping bamboos are exotic plants that are not invasive.
Both bamboo types can thrive for many years in the garden, but how long do they really live?
This article provides the insight into growth behaviour of bamboo plants and how long a bamboo grove can survive.
The growth behaviour of running and clumping bamboo plants, generally, determines how long they live. Whether in the garden or in pots they will grow in the same way, nonetheless.
Bamboo plants will give out new shoots every year in spring. These new shoots will be bigger in size and longer than the previous year’s shoots.
Every year you’ll have a bigger and longer bamboo plant, and the bamboo grove will also increase in size. In retrospect, the bamboo shoots do not expand in size as the trees and shrubs do. The size of the new shoot remains the same until it thins out at the top at maximum height.
A bamboo plant will reach its matured height anytime between 5 and 10 years depending on the variety.
The common bamboos in the UK often reach their maximum heights (and produce full-size shoots) within 5 years.
So, every year you’ll have a longer plant and bigger shoot as your bamboo grove takes shape.
How long do bamboo plants live?’
There are many different types of bamboo plants from the dwarf varieties to the giant timber bamboo plants.
They can live for many years in the garden. Some estimation puts them between 30 – 50 years, but they can live longer.
As mentioned, bamboo groves re-generate by putting new shoots out every year. This growth behaviour means that they can thrive for much longer than anticipated.
To put it in perspective, a single bamboo shoot will mature within 5 - 7 years and live for about 10 - 15 years within a bamboo grove. It will produce new shoots, resulting in an expanding bamboo grove.
This re-generative growth pattern means that bamboo plants can live and thrive for many years after they are planted.
Bamboo plants can last up to 30 years, and bamboo groves can last longer
Life expectancy of common bamboo plants
The growth and regenerative behaviours of bamboo plants, mentioned earlier, are important factors that determine the life expectancy of bamboo plants.
The table shows the general life expectancy of a garden bamboo plant in the garden or in pots and containers.
Bamboo
Grow medium
Maturity
Shoot
Garden
6 – 12 months to mature
Plant
Garden
5 - 7 years to mature (requires selective pruning)
Grove
Garden
30 – 50 years
Shoot
Outdoor Pot
3 - 6 months to mature
Plant
Outdoor Pot
2 - 5 years (requires selective pruning)
Grove
Outdoor Pot
5 – 10 years (requires repotting)
The Giant Timber Bamboo plants take up to 7 years to mature and live for as long as 50 years in their natural environment. They are massive plants which reach above 10 metres in height.
In the UK, you can see the Giant Timber Bamboo in full growth at the Kew Garden Palm House.
If you want to find out about the running and clumping bamboo plants, follow these links:
How long bamboo plants last depend on the growth of the individual plants and the regenerative behaviour of the plants in the grove.
Some bamboo plants will live in the soil until the condition is right before they put out new shoots. Others will spread pretty quickly.
Generally, the common bamboo plants that grow in the UK, US and other cooler regions will last for 30 – 50 years. And, they will continue to grow as long as the condition is right.
Bamboo plants are undemanding and low maintenance, but neglect is the main cause of yellowing or curling leaves. This stress can result in losing your plants. In this article, you will find out How to maintain bamboo plants and revive them if the leaves turn yellow.
Bamboo plants are undemanding and low maintenance. They do not need much attention all year round, but they’ll appreciate a bit of mulch and water once in a while.
The best time to attend to your bamboo plants is early in spring when the growth is prominent.
5 maintenance tasks you can do to care for your bamboo plants are:
Bamboos are hardy plants. They like to rest in autumn and winter. The best time to maintain your bamboo plants is late spring.
This is when there is a lot of activity under the ground.
Prune the plants by removing the dead branches and stems. Add mulch to the grove.
That’s all you can do.
Your efforts will be rewarded early in summer with lots of new shoots and a vibrant bamboo grove.
How to revive bamboo leaves turning yellow or curl?
The leaves of the bamboo plants are a good indicator of the plants’ health. The leaves will show signs of stress if they are not happy by turning yellow or curling.
Quick actions will stop the plants from dying completely.
The main causes of stress in bamboo plants are lack of nutrients in the soil or waterlogged soils.
Others include temperature variation and insect and dust infestations. Here is a detailed article on how to revive bamboo leaves yellowing or curling.
What bamboo plants grow in shade?
This is a question that we see appear many times in chats and forums. There is no need to worry about shade because most bamboo plants are shade tolerant.
Though some bamboo plants prefer 5 – 7 hours of light, most bamboo plants will thrive in shade and part shade.
As a general rule, you should plant the variegated, black bamboo, golden yellow bamboo, red bamboo and other coloured bamboo plants in sites where there is enough direct to indirect light.
The colours are often more prolific in the light than in the shade.
Before starting to remove bamboo plants, make sure that the area is nice and clean - clear of any hazards.
The steps will help you to get started.
Use Pairs of secateurs or garden loppers
1: Use a pair of secateurs or garden loppers to cut down the stems, remove the branches and store the bamboo canes for future use.
2: Cut all the rhizomes and pull them out.
Then, cut them into small pieces and store them in a dry place until they dry out. Do not discard them straight away because if you do, they will grow back.
Also, pour hot water or vinegar over the newly cut rhizome to kill them permanently.
Use a pickaxe as a lever
3: The rhizomes grow on the top layer of the soil, so dig down and along or around the bamboo plant.
Use the pickaxe as a lever to uproot the rhizomes. If it is too strong, cut the rhizomes into sections as it will be easy to remove.
Use a spade to remove soil
4: Remove any soil around the bamboo roots and base of the parent plant.
Keep the cutting in direct sun or pour boiling water on them to stop the cutting from growing again.
If you want to remove bamboo permanently, you must remove all rhizomes, including the cuttings and discard them away from your property.
4 Best ways to kill bamboos plants permanently
Although bamboo plants are evergreen and adorable plants adorable, the rate at which they grow can be troublesome.
The running bamboo plants spread aggressively and take up any space very quickly if left unchecked for 2 – 3 years.
One of these methods may be ideal for you when removing bamboo plants, check the links for details:
Note: Get it done professionally. The work is painstakingly hard.
If you want to do it yourself, here are 4 ways to kill bamboo plants permanently.
Understanding and working with bamboos
If you want to know the methods for killing bamboo fast, skip this part and read the method that you wish to use in the article.
In fact, understanding the features of the bamboos’ roots, rhizomes and stems can reduce the effort required to kill the bamboos.
The bamboos are put into two groups: Running bamboos and Clump-forming bamboos. (We covered this in detail here – Bamboo Varieties that Thrive in the UK).
In the open, the running rhizomes may grow to an average depth of 30 - 40cm.
Although this depth is quite shallow, the intricate rooting system makes it difficult to kill bamboo permanently.
Also, the clump-forming bamboo could be quite tough to remove. The clumpers' bases are much tougher because of the compact nature of this bamboo.
Therefore, you may have to apply one or more ways of killing the bamboo highlighted in this article to remove them permanently.
Disturbing the shoots from growing can inhibit spreading, but does not stop the bamboo from growing back.
Though it is a temporary measure, it can be effective where bamboo grows in barriers.
Here is how to stop bamboo from spreading.
Use garden spade and pickaxe
1: To kill bamboo in the garden using hot water, cut the stems as close to the ground as you can, and dig around (and through) the plant to expose the shoots.
Hot water
2: Pour hot water directly on the new shoots and exposed rhizomes, around the base of the bamboo and where there are signs of growth.
3: Repeat the steps if new shoots grow the following Spring.
If you have bamboos that are 2 – 3 years, this method will work just fine.
Bamboos that are older than 5 years will have well-established rhizomes (in running bamboos) or build-up clumps (in clump-forming bamboos) which make them harder to treat with hot water.
In this case, build a barrier or use the method mentioned above to permanently remove the bamboo.
Digging out bamboo roots needs planning and the right tools. This article provides all the info you need to know based on the work we did in the bamboo garden over many years.
Find out how to remove bamboo rhizomes the right way by using hand tools.
Best hand tools for digging up bamboo
Bamboo roots/rhizomes and base buds are rough, you've got to have tougher tools to deal with them.
The best hand tool for digging out bamboo is a pickaxe. Though it's heavy, it will make work lighter.
Also, you will need a pair of shears, a spade/shovel, a crowbar and a pruning hand saw.
Use a sealable bin to keep the rhizome cutting until they are dry.
When removing invasive bamboo, always work smart, not hard.
Identify where the rhizomes are running before digging.
Here is how to dig out bamboo without using chemicals.
Cut stems
Cut the bamboo stems at 180 degrees across (horizontally), close to the ground. (Dig out the bamboo or use them in the garden)
Dig out dirt
Dig a drain around or along with the bamboo to a depth of 5 – 20cm.
Dig out the soil and dirt, cut off the rhizomes and clean the root hairs.
Remove rhizomes and clump bases
Removing rhizomes: Identify which way the rhizomes are running or how the clumps are formed, and dig along the rhizomes before removing them. (Do not break the rhizomes as they will grow back if left in the soils).
Removing bamboo base clumps: Use a pickaxe to dig out the base of the bamboo – one base stem at a time.
Do these before binning
Use a pair of secateurs or garden loppers to cut the stems into smaller pieces about 1 – 3cm.
Remove any side buds and root hairs to avoid any chance of growing back.
Leave the rhizome cuttings in direct sunlight and starve them off water and shade for 3 – 5 days or unit the rhizomes turn brown. This should be enough to kill them completely.
Tools you’ll need: Hacksaw, pickaxe, pair of secateurs or garden loopers. Get them here
Work smart when digging up bamboo roots
The bamboos have tough rhizomes (underground stems) and culms (stems), so work smart when digging them up.
Care should be taken when cutting the bamboo stems and rhizomes.
Hope this article gives you an idea about how to dig out and remove bamboo rhizomes in your garden and stop the rhizomes from spreading into other spaces.
