How to Plant Bamboo Seeds

There are three common ways to propagate bamboo plants – using the seeds, rhizome cuttings and culm cuttings. Find out how to plant bamboo seeds and transplant them successfully.

Materials for planting bamboo seeds

The two important factors you should pay attention to when propagating bamboo seeds are temperature and soil moisture.

As a rule of thumb, temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius and high moisture content are ideal for bamboo seeds to germinate. 

• A 50/50 organic compost.
• 4cm - 6cm growing pots or trays.
• Bowls for soaking the seeds.
• Rainwater or distilled water.
• Propagator (or well-insulated greenhouse) to keep the temperature constant at 25 – 30 degrees Celsius

Buy bamboo seeds online

Bamboo plants flower occasionally and therefore seeds are hard to find. Yet, you can buy the seeds either online or from reputable nurseries in the UK.

We found three online sellers that are based in the UK and do free deliveries. Here is their link on Amazon.

Plant bamboo seeds indoor

Important: To grow bamboo from seed, soak the seeds in a bowl of water for about 24 hours to promote root development. Distilled water is ideal for soaking bamboo seeds. Avoid using treated water.

Keep the temperatures at the standard room temperature to promote germination.

Step 1 Soak seeds: 

Firstly, soak the bamboo seed in a bowl of water for 20 - 24 hours. The water should not be too hot or too cold. 

Hot temperatures will destroy the bamboo seeds. Cooler temperatures are likely to delay the seeds from germinating, 22 – 25 degrees Celsius are ideal for soaking bamboo seeds.

Step 2 Prepare compost and potting seeds: 

Prepare the compost in a pot or tray, space the seeds out at 1 - 2cm intervals and sprinkle a fine layer of compost on the top.

Step 3 Control temperature and moisture:

Use a seed propagator if you have one. Alternatively, use a clear plastic bag big enough to cover the pot. 

Seeds germinate well where it is not too hot or too cool. Maintain the germinating temperature of 22 – 26 degrees Celsius.

Step 4 Potted seeds storage site: 

Place your newly potted seeds where there is a medium shade, away from direct sunlight. Check the potted seeds daily. 

You should see the first sign of sprouting after 10 – 15 days.

Step 5 Seeds care: 

It can take up to 30 days for all the seeds to germinate, and some seeds may take longer. Check that the leaves are green and healthy, and the soil remains moist. 

Elevate the clear plastic cover, of the lid if you are using a propagator so that the leaves do not touch the sides of the covers.

When is the right time to plant bamboo seeds?

Spring and Summer are the best times to grow bamboos from seeds in the UK. Check out the different ways to propagate bamboo plants.

Put the seeds indoors or greenhouse and maintain the soil moisture content as well as the temperature so that it is not too cold or too hot but at the standard room temperature of 22 – 25 degrees Celsius.

After they’ve germinated, it is time to transplant them into mini grow pots. 

Always use plastic pots. The ceramic pots retain heat and are not ideal for germinating seeds.

From seeds to germinating and transplanting bamboo plants, they’ll need water even in Winter. They’ll also need mulch and a lot of attention.

Bamboo seeds carry the nutrients they need to germinate. Yet, grow them in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil.

The best soil for growing bamboo seeds is an all-purpose compose.

How long does it take bamboo seeds to grow?

New shoots and roots will appear after 20-30 days after planting. 

This is the best part of growing bamboo from seeds, it shows that the bamboo roots and rhizomes, and culms are establishing themselves in the propagator.

Start potting the early bamboo sprouts into larger pots where they'll grow for the next 12 months. 

This will give the seeds that remained dormant in the propagator a chance to germinate.

Note: It can take as long as 5 years to grow bamboo from seeds to planting in pots and in the garden.

Here are some guided info on how to grow bamboos: how to grow bamboos in pots and containers. & the best soil for growing bamboos in pot.

 

Bamboo from seeds to mature plants

It can take an average of 5 years to plant bamboo from seeds to get a fully grown bamboo plant.

Though it is a painstaking undertaking, it can be really satisfying. 

Here is a breakdown of how long it can take to plant bamboo from seeds to potting to transplanting into pots and gardens.

• 12 hours: Soak seeds in distilled water for propagating.
• 10 - 12 months (1st year): Bamboo Seeds grow in a propagator. Ready for transplanting into holding pots.
• 1 – 2 years (2nd – 3rd years): New bamboo plants (in holding pots) can reach 1m  in height with an established rooting system.
• 2 – 3 years (4th – 5th years): Fully grown bamboo plants, ready for planting in the garden or big pots.

These bamboo plants can live for more than 60 years.

The best thing to do when learning how to plant bamboo from seeds and transplant them successfully is to prepare the materials and site properly.