How to Grow Bamboo Houseplants

About Bamboo Plants

In this article, we talk about how to grow bamboo as a houseplant. Surprisingly, Scientists classify bamboo among grasses. Among the thousands of varieties, there are hardwood and softwoods. The tallest variety grows about 60 feet tall, making bamboo the tallest grasses in the world! Some hardwood varieties are so hard, that they are used as wood. For example, bamboo floors have become popular. Bamboo is also used in scaffolding in Asia. Many varieties live hundreds of years.

With that said, Americans most often grow Bamboo as a houseplant. Its popularity as a houseplant is growing steadily. It is easy to grow, requires little attention, and thrives in almost any light. Native to China, Bamboo is the favorite food of Giant Panda Bears.

Did You Know? In addition to Pandas, some Lemurs, gorillas, and chimpanzees like bamboo.

When grown indoors as houseplants, bamboo is planted in containers filled with decorative stones. Just add water ……………… and you have a beautiful, greenhouse plant.

You can also grow bamboo indoors in soil. Plants grown in soil will grow faster and larger, than plants grown in water.

Bamboo is a lucky symbol, bringing you good fortune. This is a major reason for its popularity. It is most notably a symbol to be lucky in love.

Perennial, Bambuseae

Bamboo House Plant Propagation

Bamboo plants can be grown from cuttings. Select healthy, vigorous, young canes and roots in water.

Also, they are propagated from Rhizomes. Plant the rhizomes in large containers. Plant them 1 to 2 inches deep. The basic varieties are categorized as clumping or running which describes the plant growth habit. Clumping varieties are best for indoor houseplants.

Plant Care and Maintenance

Bamboo Grown in Water:

Place rooted canes in a container filled with decorative stones. Fill the container with water. The water should be replaced routinely. Place the plant in full, partial, or filtered light. The plant will grow very slowly. Fertilizers are not needed. However, adding a little diluted liquid fertilizer from time to time will cause the plant to grow a little faster. This plant does not need a lot of light and will grow better in partial shade, making it an ideal houseplant.

Bamboo Grown Indoors in Soil:

Clumping varieties work best. Select a large container with holes in the bottom for drainage. The plants grow best in loose, rich soil. Use plenty of peat moss and other loose soil medium. Fill partially with soil. Plant the rhizomes an inch or two deep. For transplanting small plants into containers, plant them about level with the depth the roots currently are at. Water thoroughly, and keep the soil moist.

Place the plant in partial sunlight. Water when the soil begins to dry out. When growing in soil, apply a general-purpose fertilizer, or one high in nitrogen on an occasional basis. Plant spikes work well.

Whether grown in water, or soil, plants will thrive for many years.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.5 – 7.0