How fast does a bamboo plant grow?

We measured the growth of the Phyllostachys Vivax (Golden Yellow Chinese Bamboo) in the garden last summer. We took the length it grew every day and worked out the average growth rate. It was an interesting finding.

How fast bamboo plants grow in the UK - measured.

The obvious advantage of growing bamboo plants is that they are fast-growing. You get the evergreen hedge or screen faster compared to the common hedge shrubs and plants. 

How fast bamboo grows in spring in the UK - YouTube video

How fast bamboo grow in summer in the UK - Video

How far do bamboo plants spread?

Always use the bamboo roots/rhizome barrier when growing the running bamboo plants. They are invasive. 

The rhizomes will spread to other parts of the garden if you do not have a barrier in place. We recommend putting in a root barrier before growing the running bamboo. 

Alternatively, grow bamboo in heavy-duty pots. The bamboo plants will start to spread in the first year of planting. In fact, the rhizomes are underground stems. The new (running) shoots growing above the ground indicate that new rhizomes are also growing underground. 

The growth is prominent after 5 years. That means that bamboo can stay inactive underground until the condition is right for them to put out new shoots. 

So, the running bamboo plants will spread after you’ve planted them or remain inactive until the condition is right. Either way, always use a bamboo barrier when growing the running bamboo.

  Building a bamboo root barrier

How long does a bamboo plant last?

Generally, how long a bamboo plant lasts pretty much depends on the kind of bamboo. There are about 800 different cultivars of running and clumping bamboo plants that thrive in the UK and US.

However, worldwide there are about 1500 species of bamboo plants. Above all, there are two important factors that contribute to the longevity of bamboo plants. 

The ‘growth behaviour of the new bamboo shoots’ and ‘the regenerative behaviour of the bamboo grove’. The two growth behaviours make bamboo plants sustainable. You can grow and enjoy for as long as you want.

Where to buy bamboo plants?

Bamboo plants come in pots. You can remove the plants in the pot and grow them in the garden. If you want to get more plants from a pot, read about how to separate the bamboo plants. Some bamboo plants are running whereas others are clumping. 

Before buying a bamboo plant, decide what type of bamboo you want to grow - running or clumping? 

Here are some renowned UK retailers where you can get your bamboo plants and supplies.

Knowing how fast bamboo grows and how far it can spread will help you to maintain your bamboo plants. Check out the 'blue' links to the Garden Bamboo Plants website and YouTube channel for more information on bamboo care.