Growing Bamboo in Pots and Containers

Why grow bamboo in a pot

A container is one of the safest ways to enjoy bamboo if you are worried about spread. It also lets you place bamboo on a patio, deck or balcony, build a movable screen, or grow a type that is borderline hardy where you live. The trade-offs are that potted bamboo needs more water, is less cold-hardy, and will stay smaller than it would in the ground. Many of the same principles apply to ornamental grasses in containers.

Choose the right bamboo

Clumping bamboo is usually the easiest option, because it will not run. Many Fargesia make a fountain-shaped plant for a pot, though growers advise afternoon shade for them, and they dislike hot, humid summers. Warm-climate clumpers such as some Bambusa are used in mild areas.
Small running bamboos can also work in containers, with a few extra precautions. Species often suggested include Pseudosasa japonica and some Phyllostachys such as aurea, aureosulcata and nigra.
Groundcover bamboo such as Sasa suits wide, shallow troughs and makes a short, bushy accent. It often needs shade.
Expect a shorter plant. Growers suggest height in a pot is roughly one-half to three-quarters of what the same plant would reach in the ground. For example, a bamboo that reaches 30 feet in the ground may stay around 15 feet in a container.

For a comparison of types, see running vs clumping bamboo.

Choose the container

Size: Bigger is better. A common minimum is about 18 inches wide and deep (roughly 18 by 18 by 18 inches), and some sources recommend larger, such as 60 cm in each direction for taller plants. Small pots work only for a short while.
Shape: Avoid vase shapes that narrow at the base, since tall bamboo can blow over. A wide, stable base is better.
Material: Choose sturdy, durable material such as wood, heavy plastic, fibreglass, a large stock tank or fabric pot. Metal conducts heat and cold, so it can overheat roots in summer and freeze them in winter, so insulate it if you use it. Concrete can raise soil pH when new.
Drainage: Large drainage holes are essential. Cover them with landscape fabric or similar so soil stays in.
Lining: Lining the container with rhizome barrier can protect the pot from rhizomes, help with removal later and add insulation.
Raise it: Stand the pot on bricks or pavers so the drain holes stay clear and roots cannot escape into the soil beneath.

Planting steps

Fill the bottom with a well-draining potting mix, enriched with some compost.
Remove the bamboo from its nursery pot and gently loosen tight or circling roots.
Set it so the top of the root mass sits an inch or two below the rim. Plant no deeper than it was growing.
Backfill with the mix, firm gently and water thoroughly.
Cover the surface with a layer of mulch such as bark or wood chips to hold moisture.

A neutral to slightly acidic, moisture-retentive but well-draining mix works well. Avoid heavy garden soil.

Watering and feeding

Water when the top of the soil dries, until water runs from the drainage holes.
Frequency: Growers report watering 2 to 3 times a week in normal summer weather and daily in extreme heat. A good soak of one to two gallons is typical for larger containers. Root-bound plants need more.
Watch the leaves: Curling leaves can point to underwatering, while drooping leaves can suggest too much water or poor drainage.
Feeding: Bamboo likes nitrogen. A high-nitrogen grass or lawn fertiliser applied a few times in the growing season (spring to summer) is a common approach. Follow the label.

Winter care and hardiness

Roots in a pot are more exposed than roots in the ground, so potted bamboo is less cold-hardy. As an example from one nursery, a bamboo hardy to 0°F in the ground might be damaged at about 10°F in a container. Larger containers help.

Move pots to a sheltered spot against a wall, or into an unheated garage or porch, in hard winters (the same methods used for overwintering potted ornamental grasses).
Wrap or insulate the pot, and mulch the surface.
Keep watering lightly in dry spells, since dry, cold wind is hard on evergreen leaves.
Some small types can come indoors for winter. They may drop leaves but can survive in bright light with reduced watering. Many bamboos do poorly indoors long term because of dry air.

For general hardiness guidance, see where bamboo will grow.

Repotting and dividing

Sources vary on timing, reflecting different container sizes and species. A fair summary is:

Every few years to about every ten years, depending on pot size, growth rate and vigour. Small pots may need attention every two to four years.
Signs it is time: roots circling or pushing out of drain holes, very frequent watering, slowing growth, or a bulging pot.
How: Do it in spring. Slide the plant out, cut the root mass in half or into smaller divisions with a sharp spade or saw, refresh the soil, and replant each piece in a container.

If a root-bound bamboo is left too long, it can break the pot.

Stopping running bamboo escaping

A container is not automatically escape-proof for a running type. Rhizomes can spiral down, exit through drainage holes and root into the ground, and in time may split a small or weak pot. To reduce the risk:

Use a large, strong container.
Raise it off the soil so there is a visible gap beneath it.
Line the base and sides with rhizome barrier.
Inspect the base every year and cut anything poking out.

If a runner has already escaped from a pot, see how to control and remove bamboo.

Troubleshooting

Yellow or brown leaves: often water or feeding. See why bamboo leaves turn yellow or brown.
Leaf drop after moving: common. Keep the plant watered and out of harsh sun while it adjusts.
Thin, weak canes: a root-bound plant, or too little feeding or light.
Tipping over: switch to a wider or heavier pot, or move it out of exposed wind.

Lucky bamboo is a different plant

“Bamboo in a pot” often refers to lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana), usually sold in water. It is not a true bamboo, needs different care, and is considered toxic to pets. The advice here is for true bamboo grown in soil. For ideas on using potted bamboo as a screen or accent, see bamboo garden design ideas and growing bamboo in your yard.