Bamboo Plants 101: How to Grow Bamboo Plants Indoor

You know, bamboo isn't really wood. Bamboo plants are a type of tree-like grass, fast-growing, resilient, and useful for a number of reasons.

Among the most useful plants on Earth, they have amazing potential as a source of material for multiple industries. In addition, they are also visually stunning.

The purpose of this article is to explain the process of growing bamboo plants, how to care for them, and where to buy them. Here are some bamboo varieties.

Bamboo Plant Varieties

There are many different types of bamboo: Chinese, Japanese, artificial, and the so-called 'Lucky-Bamboo' plant. These plants are available both outdoors and indoors.

However, there are two major types of bamboo: running bamboo and clumping bamboo.

Growing in temperate climates, running bamboo is an aggressive and invasive plant. Due to its name, this kind of bamboo grows very quickly.

Normally, tropical climates support the growth of clumping bamboos. It tends to grow in clumps. We use this type of wood all over the world to make furniture, houses, and, in Asia, almost everything.

When growing bamboo plants indoors, you should generally stick with clumping varieties.

The strength and speed of its growth make running bamboo a tough plant to grow indoors without the right conditions. Even so, you can enjoy them for many years in your living room or conservatory.

Depending on how much space you have in your garden, you can grow different types of bamboo quite easily. Here are some of the clumping and running bamboo types you can choose from.

Running Bamboo Plants

Firstly, we have the "running bamboo". This type of bamboo can be considered an aggressive pest because it grows and spreads the fastest. Bamboo can completely take over forests!

Be careful when growing it at home. In some cases, it can cover entire backyards, growing out to the street and pushing up the sidewalk!

Bamboo grows underground, which is why it does this. Rhizomes of running bamboo grow vertically and horizontally underneath the plant. As a result, it spreads quickly.

The benefit is that it can be harvested in mass quantities, but it isn't the best choice for keeping your garden neat and tidy.

Golden Groove Bamboo (Phyllostachys Aureosulcata)

Golden groove bamboo (sometimes referred to as yellow bamboo) is evergreen, so it can be grown in any season. The cane is named after the small golden grooves that appear on each side.

Since it grows straight up, it's ideal for pots or to create a hedge. This plant is used as an ornamental plant in the Zhejiang province in China.

Bamboo of this species can grow 3-5 feet per year. Keep in mind that it is a "running bamboo" and can spread aggressively.

Kuma Bamboo (Sasa Veitchii)

Kuma bamboo might not look like traditional bamboo, but it's actually a variation.

Due to its low height, this type is known as dwarf bamboo, growing only to a height of five feet.
For this reason, Kuma Bamboo can be quite useful for making low hedges.

In the garden, it makes a lovely plant with beautiful foliage in winter, but be sure to keep it under control!

Red Margin (Phyllostachys Rubromarginata)

By contrast, the height of red margin makes it an excellent choice for creating a natural wall. This bamboo species can reach a height of 60 feet!

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants, and its wood is excellent. Moreover, it is very hardy in cold climates, so you don't have to worry about bringing it home from China!

Clumping Bamboo Plants

Here is the running bamboo's overly-friendly brother, the clumping bamboo!

It does not grow in the characteristic "runs" of running bamboo, but instead forms a thick, dense bamboo forest.

As we noted previously, it does not form horizontal rhizomes, making it a better choice for growing indoors, as well as less of a nuisance in the garden.

Hedge Bamboo (Bambusa Multiplex)

All other types of hedge bamboo plants descend from the Bambusa Multiplex plant.

The species grows up to 35 feet tall, and forms impressive walls when clumped together. You can use it to build a privacy wall or to create a grand looking entryway.

Sun-resistant and hardy, this plant also grows well in the shade. The best type of hedge for your garden is one that is able to form a natural fence. Using this creative technique, you can enjoy some privacy in a natural setting.

Umbrella Bamboo (Fargesia Murielae)

At one point, the umbrella bamboo, or Fargesia Murielae, was considered to be one of the most beautiful bamboos in the world.

In its rainforest habitat, it can create cascades of blue water over pristine waters.

Forming a massive canopy overhanging the ground, this species is certainly a sight to behold. When young, the plant's stems carry a hint of light blue, and later on it turns yellow with age.

It thrives best in some shade throughout the afternoon and does not require a cordon to prevent it from spreading. If you have the space, it is a great addition to your garden.

Giant Japanese Timber (Phyllostachys Bambusoides)

Around 60% of the bamboo harvested for various uses in Japan is actually this versatile fellow called Japanese timber.

Second-largest bamboo in temperate climates, it's particularly useful for construction due to its long, straight canes.

But its uses don't end there. In addition to construction, Japanese timber is used to make traditional flutes and digeridoos!

The Best Indoor Bamboo Plants

We mentioned earlier that clumping bamboo is what you'll probably want for your indoor plants.

You can help your indoor bamboo achieve its full potential by following a few simple guidelines, but first, let's look at some examples of indoor bamboo plants.

Pick your favorite!

Large Leaved Bamboo (Indocalamus Tessellatus)

Like the Golden Groove, this plant is mostly found in China. Consequently, if you keep it indoors in the shade, with moist soil and plenty of shade, it will retain its green color year-round.

This bamboo plant can survive in quite rough conditions for quite a long time, making it quite an easy bamboo plant to grow in your indoor garden .

Bamboo will form dense green thickets in a large container if it's kept there.

Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys Nigra)

This beautiful bamboo was brought to the west around 1827, but after two years of direct sunlight it acquires an ebony persona.

In the forest, these plants spread quickly and can grow up to 30 feet tall. When kept indoors, it will only grow to a quarter of that size.

Like running bamboo, this plant spreads rapidly and becomes invasive if not contained.

If you want it to survive, give it plenty of sunlight, and keep the soil consistently moist.

Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena Sanderiana)

Despite being marketed as "Lucky Bamboo", this plant is actually a member of the Asparagaceae family.

Our "Lucky Bamboo" only grows in water, making it more akin to a water-lily than the rest of our bamboo plants.

With some small stones around the base, this plant should be placed in a small dish or glass vase.

Fill the planter with water about an inch above the roots (distilled or filtered is best). Don't forget to change the water, and give it a bit of sun every day so this plant can live for a long time!

The feng shui of the "Lucky Bamboo" is supposed to bring good luck to your home and balance out the negative feng shui of your everyday life. Don't let it die!

How To Grow Bamboos Plant Indoors

The first thing you need to do is decide which bamboo plant you want to grow. Bamboo doesn't require much care. Unfortunately, you're growing it outdoors.

Many of you do not have enough garden space to grow entire bamboo forests (who does?!).

As a result, we'd like to discuss how to grow bamboo plants indoors in more detail. In the following paragraphs, we'll cover the best indoor bamboo plants.

Step 1 – Pot It Right

Bamboo plants should be planted in a pot with gravel and soil, then placed in a tray of low water. This will help keep your plant humid.

You can grow some varieties in a vase filled with water. However, they might not last as long indoors.

Step 2 – Avoid Overwatering

When growing bamboo plants indoors, water is the most important factor.

As indoor plants generally have less air circulation and light, it can be quite tempting to overwater them. Look for browny-yellow leaf tips as a sign that it's time to plant.

Step 3 – Mist It Now And Then

It is also important to consider humidity levels. The leaves of your bamboo can be misted from time to time.

Step 4 – Don’t Forget To Fertilize

Also important is fertilizer. It might be a good idea to give your bamboo a new lease of life if you see these yellow leaves beginning to die on it.

Step 5 – Move It Outside If Needed

Bamboo plants should be placed outdoors, so they can struggle a bit when they are first brought indoors.

When it first comes indoors, if the plant appears to be dying or losing leaves, try letting it spend several months outside. Your plant will grow much better this way.

Bamboo Plant Care

Whether it's grown indoors or outdoors, bamboo is a relatively easy plant to grow. When taking care of bamboo plants, there are some things to remember as always.

Watering

Bamboo needs regular watering when it is first planted. Two to three times per week in normal weather, but up to five times in hot and windy weather.

At first, bamboo plants require a lot of water, but as they grow larger, they can survive with less water. It is the same with flooding or overwatering.

Initially bamboos are extremely sensitive to this, but once they reach maturity, they become much more resilient.

Keep in mind not to overwater your plants. You will notice that the leaves begin to turn yellow-brown and droop; in this case, hold back on the water.

Soil

Make sure your soil is loamy and a bit acidic if you want your bamboo plants to grow well.

Make sure to fertilize the soil around the bamboo roots with compost or manure, or mulch the ground heavily.

Even so, don't use too much fertilizer, as this can be just as bad as not fertilizing at all.

Keeping the ground around bamboo fertile is as simple as avoiding sweeping up fallen leaves. By doing so, they keep the soil soft and moist, making it the ideal growing medium for bamboo.

Sunlight

Different bamboo types, shapes, and sizes require varying amounts of sunlight.

For example, larger bamboos (Phyllostachys) can tolerate about 5 hours of direct sunlight every day.

The plants need a lot of shade when they're new, however. Small bamboo plants also require a lot of shade.

Even when mature, Thumnocalamus and Fargesia prefer spending the majority of their time in the shade.

Propagating Your Bamboo Plant

Branches and culms of bamboo plants are formed from underground roots, known as rhizomes.

When propagating, the rhizome of the parent plant is clipped off and replanted before it starts growing.

Because running bamboo and clumping bamboo grow differently, the processes differ.

Running Bamboo Plants

When propagating running bamboo, wait until spring and check the soil for new buds and rhizomes.

Rhizomes grow horizontally, growing new buds on the dividing sections of the bamboo, which sprout new hollow stems.

Select a section with buds and culms, but no new growth. Sow the rhizome in the soil. Mulch and water thoroughly.

Ensure the parent plant has adequate soil and water around its base.

Clumping Bamboo Plants

It is pretty much the same process for the clumping variety. There is only one difference; you pick a clump with about four stems, rhizomes, and buds, and cut that away from the plant.

This clumping part of the bamboo can be removed and planted in soil. After that, the process is similar to that of running bamboo.

Bamboo Trees And Plants For Sale

We consulted two of the best bamboo plant providers when it comes to buying bamboo plants.

Our recommendation for bamboo plants, seeds, and decorations is Etsy. There is a wide selection of plants and ornaments that you can use to make your house your home.

Also be sure to check out Amazon's huge collection of bamboo plants, which includes a variety of different types of bamboo for the garden and your house.

Check out some of Amazon's bestselling bamboo plants right now.

BestSeller No. 1

Jmbamboo- Live 8 Braided Style Lucky Bamboo Plant Arrangement With Green Vase

• It measures 10 to 12 inches.
• It brings good fortune.
• It grows in water just like cut flowers but will last for years.

BestSeller No. 2

9GreenBox - Live 3 Style Party Set Of 4 Bamboo Plant Arrangement w/Ceramic Vase

• Approximately 6-8" in diameter.
• Vase is 2.5'' x 2.5'' x 2.5'' in size.
• The flowers grow in water just like cut flowers, but they last for years

BestSeller No. 3

Athena's Garden Classic Lucky Bamboo Tower In Elegant Ceramic Container, Green, One Size

• Three tiers of fresh bamboo plants made into a tower symbolize harmony and prosperity.
• A carefully selected ceramic elephant container completes this live plant arrangement.
• Dracaena lucky bamboo is an easy-to-care-for, long-lived Dracaena species.

Sale BestSeller No. 4

20 Stalks Of 4 Inches Straight Lucky Bamboo

• Available for sale are 20 stalks of 4" straight bamboo.
• The 4 "Straight Lucky Bamboos are the smallest and most popular.
• An arrangement of 4' would be suitable for someone looking to make Lucky bamboo arrangements.

Sale BestSeller No. 5

Costa Farms Lucky Bamboo Live Indoor Tabletop Plant In Modern Home Decor 5-inch Gray Ceramic

• See 2nd photo to learn more about Lucky Bamboo Braid, a Grower's Choice.
• The pot is approximately 12 inches tall at shipping, measured from the bottom to the top.
• Plants grow well in either natural or artificial light. Ships in a premium, 5-inch black ceramic container.