🎍 Bamboo FAQ – Everything You Need to Know
Bamboo Plant Sizes
There are two sizes to keep in mind when choosing bamboo:
- Delivered size: This is the height of the bamboo you receive — shown next to the “Add to Basket” button.
- Mature size: This is the full height your bamboo can reach over time, shown in the product description.
All bamboo can be pruned easily and kept at the height you want, typically anything from 2 metres upwards.
Pot Sizes – What to Expect
Most of our bamboo comes in 18-litre pots. That size might not mean much at first glance, but for reference:
- It’s about the size of a builder’s bucket (28cm wide x 28cm tall)
- It holds a mature, bushy bamboo with multiple canes — perfect for instant impact
Can I Mix Different Bamboo Varieties?
While mixing species might seem appealing for colour contrast or variety, we don’t usually recommend it unless each bamboo is contained within a root barrier.
Why?
- Different varieties grow at different speeds and heights, creating uneven results.
- They may compete for water, light, and nutrients, resulting in weaker plants.
- Without barriers, the roots will eventually intermingle, diluting the clean effect of mixed colours.
For a neat, consistent screen, stick to one variety. If you love mixing, just make sure to contain each one separately.
Growth Rate – How Fast Will It Grow?
This depends on the species and how happy the plant is in its location, but here’s a general guide:
- A healthy, ground-planted bamboo will grow by around one-third of its height each season.
- Example: A 3m bamboo might reach 4m by the end of the season.
- Phyllostachys varieties like Bisset, Yellow Groove, and Golden Crookstem are faster-growing.
- Fargesia varieties are more compact and slower by comparison.
- Potted bamboo grows more slowly than in the ground — but a large pot, regular water, and feeding will help.
Understanding Bamboo Spread – What to Expect and How to Manage It
Bamboo is often chosen for its fast growth and excellent coverage — but what about spread?
Some spread is natural and even desirable, especially if you’re planting for screening. It helps fill the space between plants and creates a full, lush wall more quickly. For example, if you follow our advice and plant at one bamboo per metre, you’ll want some spread to achieve full coverage in a reasonable time.
Which Bamboo Spreads More?
- Phyllostachys varieties (like Bisset, Yellow Groove, and Golden Crookstem) are classified as spreading bamboo — but in the UK’s cooler climate, they behave more like clumpers.
- Fargesia varieties are naturally clumping and slower-spreading, ideal for tighter spaces or low-maintenance gardens.
Is Spread a Problem?
Not if managed correctly:
- Most spread is shallow and surface-level, and new shoots are easy to spot and trim.
- A quick prune with secateurs or a spade twice a year (early summer and early autumn) keeps everything in check.
Planting Near Structures?
If you’re planting near fences, patios, ponds or sheds, where access might be restricted over time, we recommend using our root barrier. It’s a physical underground lining that prevents spread into unwanted areas — perfect for a maintenance-free solution.
While it adds a bit more effort at the planting stage, a root barrier is a long-term investment in control and peace of mind.
Bamboo Fertiliser – Do I Need It?
Yes — especially for potted bamboo.
- Potted bamboo needs feeding regularly to stay healthy and lush.
- In-ground bamboo can survive without fertiliser, but it’ll grow faster and look better if fed.
Best feeds for bamboo:
- High-nitrogen fertiliser (e.g. lawn feed)
- Organic options like cow manure or chicken pellets
- Liquid feeds for quick uptake
- Slow-release fertiliser for sustained nutrition — we include a season’s supply with every order
Bamboo in Planters – What to Know
Bamboo thrives in containers if cared for properly. Material isn’t important — plastic, wood, stone, steel or zinc all work. (Avoid terracotta — it dries out too fast.)
Choosing a planter:
- Bigger is better — the more space, the better the growth
- Minimum size: 45cm tall and wide
For screening:
- Use multiple troughs along your screening area — ideal size: 1m x 45cm x 45cm
- Or build a continuous timber planter from decking or sleepers — just remember to drill drainage holes
For standalone use:
- Any shape or material works, as long as it’s large enough
Bamboo Planter Care – Watering & Feeding
Planter care is simple but essential:
- Watering: Bamboo must stay moist, especially in warm, dry weather. You may need to water daily in summer.
- Feeding: Use the fertiliser we include with every order. For future years, apply slow-release fertiliser in spring or liquid feed every 3–4 months through the growing season.