How to Grow Bamboo Plants in Pots and Containers

Are you interested in learning how to grow bamboo plants in pots? Bamboo plants look beautiful in pots and containers.

If you live in a colder climate and have a small place, or if you are afraid about planting bamboo plants in the ground and its spread, you can still enjoy growing bamboo in pots. 

growing bamboo in pots is a fantastic way to create a sense of greenery in your home. There are a few factors that you must consider while growing bamboo plants in a container.

Choosing the right bamboo species, the right container for growing, and the right soil type is very important. 

This blog will cover everything you need about nurturing bamboo plants in pots.

Let’s dive into the deep!

4 Tips to Grow Bamboo Plants in Pots and Containers

Tip 1: Choosing The Right Bamboo Species

Choosing the right bamboo species is the fundamental step when you desire to nurture bamboo plants in a container.

The choice of bamboo species greatly influences the growing habit of the plant care requirement and the overall aesthetic of your greenery.

Usually, bamboos are categorized into two main types, such as clumping and running. Clumping bamboo grows slowly over time, and grows in tight clusters. Some of the clumping species include:

• Fargesia: Fargesia is suitable for colder climates and is well known for its hardiness. It is perfect for outdoor pots. 
• Bambusa: Bambusa is a tropical clumping species, it is perfect for larger containers. Bambusa is ideal for creating a focal point in gardens.
• Thamnocalamus: This bamboo species has a more compact growth habit, and it is ideal for smaller spaces and pots.

Running bamboos are well-known for their extensive growth and spreading habit. Some of the running bamboo varieties include:

• Phyllostachys: It is type of a common running bamboo, and it is known for its rapid growth and height. It is better suited for outdoor large pots. 
• Pseudosasa japonica: This indoor bamboo plant can adapt to a variety of climates, but it needs ample space and regular pruning when growing in pots.
• Indoor varieties: For indoor growing, you can choose the lucky bamboo type, this bamboo species adapts well to indoor climates.

Tip 2: Selecting A Bamboo Pot Plants

Things that you should consider when choosing a container for growing bamboo plants. 

Size Matters

The most important thing when growing bamboo in containers is the size. You should choose a bamboo plant container that allows the bamboo’s root system to grow for two to three years before changing the pot, remove, and replant.

The minimum size for bamboo container gardening should be 10 gallons in volume. You must keep in mind that the bigger the better.

If you choose a larger container, it will give you more time before having to repot or divide.

Drainage Holes Are Crucial

You must focus on whether the bamboo plant container has sufficient holes at the bottom for good drainage.

1 to 1/2 inch holes are good enough but if you have two to three holes, it will work better. You can drill some additional holes if required for adequate drainage.

Shape of the bamboo Container

One of the effective bamboo potting tips involves the shape of the container.

While choosing the pot for growing bamboo plants, you should remember to look forward to whether the shape of the container is enough good for removing the plant after two to three years.

It should not harm the root system of the plant when you will remove the plant in the future.  

Wind Is Concern

Whether the bottom of the bamboo plant is wide enough to support the bamboo plant in wind. You should not choose a pot with a narrow base. You can add a stone or brick at the bottom of the container to increase stability.

Tip 3: Soil Is Important

When growing bamboo plants in pots, you need to use a soil mix that holds moisture evenly while having good drainage. A good soil mix has the following functions:

• Nutrient Retention: The soil mix needs to have the ability for nutrient retention and the roots should have the capacity to absorb those applied nutrients. Then the root will distribute the nutrients to every part of the plant.
• Drainage: Bamboo plants prefer moisture but they do not like wet soils. Constantly wet soil leads to rotten roots, which can be the killer of bamboo in containers. So, the soil mix should hold water throughout the pot while allowing for good drainage.

How to Make The Soil Mix For Bamboo Plants in Pots

Depending on your selected container, you can prepare the amount of soil mix for the bamboo plant. I use a coffee cup for measuring, you can also do it with a small bucket, or a measuring cup.

3 Parts quality Potting soil: You need to use 3 parts of potting soil, it is available at a box store.
1 Part composted manure: You can use any variety of composted manure. You must use composted manure and not fresh manure.
1 Part Pumice (optional): It is an excellent soil conditioner. Since it is highly porous, it provides excellent water, air, and nutrient-holding capacities.

Tip 4: Planting Bamboo in a Container

• Step 1: The first step involves lining the bottom of the pot with a cotton cloth or porous landscape fabric, also it is used as a weed barrier. This will keep the drainage holes from becoming stopped up with soil.
• Step 2: Gently remove the bamboo plant from the container it was in. You must be careful so that the root of the plant does not get harmed. 
• Step 3: Then pour the soil mix at the bottom of your chosen container. Then set the bamboo plant in the container and adjust by adding some more soil mix in the Pot. You must be careful about the top edge of the root ball should sit 1 to 2 inches below the rim of the container.
• Step 4: Then fill the container with soil mix, and water thoroughly until water starts to drain from the holes of the container.

Conclusion

Growing bamboo plants in pots and containers is the best option for those who do not have enough space for gardening. Here, in this blog, I have provided every aspect of how to grow bamboo plants in pots.

There are a few factors that influence the growth of bamboo plants in containers. You just follow this guide and act accordingly, thus you can experience growing bamboo in pots is very much achievable.