Indoor Bamboo

Bamboo is an incredibly diverse and hardy plant that, depending on the variety, can grow in a number of circumstances. Bamboo can grow to be as tall as 20 feet or as short as 2 feet. Some varieties have broader leaves and others are more delicate. Many varieties have green woody stems, some have dark blue or black and others have more golden stalks. The variety in type and temperament make bamboo and excellent choice for growing indoors in containers. In general, they can tolerate less light and require relatively little care.

Choosing the Right Bamboo for Your Available Light

The American Bamboo Society says this regarding light requirements of various bamboo:

“The generalization can be made that the larger the leaf, the less light it requires, but one also needs to take into account whether the bamboo is natively tropical or temperate. Temperate bamboos refer to the fact that the species is indigenous to a climate that provides a cold dormancy. When temperate bamboos are grown indoors, their environment is altered and the cold dormancy is not achieved. This is not damaging to the plant, but often results in leaf drop. Aesthetically, and in terms of maintenance (house-keeping!), this must be understood, as the bamboo can appear almost naked, and water requirements are affected. It is the short days (lower light levels) that have triggered the dormancy (not the outdoor cold), and the plant is “resting.””

Finding the Right Container

The American Bamboo Society also suggests that a more shallow and wide container be used for bamboo rather than a tall deep container. This will allow room for the fast growing and extensive, yet not deep root system.  Container-gardening-tips.com suggests that you use containers that are three times the size of the containers your bamboo was purchased in. Your container size and frequency of root pruning will be determined by the variety of bamboo you choose. Clumping varieties will need less care, however, Container-gardening-tips.com suggest that for any variety soil in a container be replaced after 2 years.

Moisture Considerations

Moisture is another important consideration as you care for your indoor bamboo. Bamboo prefer moist soils but do not like sitting in water. It is important that you monitor your soils so that they do not stay too dry or too wet. Most Bamboo also prefer a moist environment so you may want to mist the plants with a spray bottle occasionally.

Getting Creative

Bamboo has a number of great indoor uses. You can fill large, tall spaces such as foyers or multiple storied entry ways.  You can create living partitions to divide open spaces.  And you can set dramatic backdrops for lower growing tropicals.  The variety in color and height provide a wealth of material for the creative mind. How have you used bamboo in your plantscapes? What challenges have you faced when you have used bamboo? Do you have a favorite variety to work with?

More Information

For more information about specific varieties that are ideal for growing indoors visit American Bamboo Society. For more care considerations and specifics regarding soils and fertilizer visit container-gardeing-tips.com

Be sure to browse NewPro Containers’ selection of indoor containers as you plan your indoor bamboo plantscape.

Photo “Bamboo Shining” courtesy of TheBusyBrain