How to grow Chinese dwarf bamboo plants

 There are different types of bamboo plants. The Chinese dwarf bamboo plants are best for shade, undergrowths and ground covers.

Are Chinese Dwarf Bamboo Plants invasive?

The great thing about these bamboos is that they are small and undemanding. You can find them as both running and clumping bamboos.

The running varieties will spread. Always use root barriers to stop them from invading other spaces. Alternatively, grow them in pot planters. 

Clumping varieties are non-invasive. You do not have to worry about spreading. 

However, the clumping bamboo bases will expand over time. If this happens, it will require pruning and thinning.

How to Grow Dwarf Bamboo Plants

The three ways to grow bamboo plants are seed propagation, culm cuttings and rhizome separation. 

A lesser-known method is called air-layering, which is similar to budding the bamboo branches until they establish roots. 

The small bamboo plants grow well by rhizome separation which is more effective than the other methods. 

This article (Split Potted Bamboo Plants) explains how to separate the bamboo plants if you buy them in pots. It gives you a good idea about what to do and how to preserve the rhizomes before planting. 

In addition, you will need these Hand Tools, take a look.

Where to buy Dwarf 'Clumping' Bamboo Plants?

Check out the UK retailers we listed here where you can get the Chinese Dwarf Bamboo plants. 

They come in different size pots. 

The bigger pots can give you up to 4 plants if you separate them properly.

Caring for Small Bamboo Plants

The Chinese Dwarf Bamboo Plants will definitely require attention, especially, if they are planted from rhizomes separation.

The plant is under stress after cutting, so provide the care it needs to grow during the early stage. Add water and mulch where or when necessary. 

Monitor its growth for the first couple of months or until new shoots and leaves emerge. The emerging shoots are a sign that the roots hairs and rhizomes are healthy under the soil. 

You should be happy when this happens.

When is the best time to plant bamboo?

Bamboos are tough and hardy. The small bamboos can withstand temperatures up to minus 25 degrees Celsius. 

In the UK, they do not have natural pests apart from slugs, but we observed signs of new bamboo shoots being eaten by rats and or squirrels - see the video.

Slugs do like the new bamboo leaves and shoots, so protect your new plants by adding slug pallets. 

The best time to grow bamboo plants is at the beginning of Spring when new growths are prominent. 

Chinese dwarf bamboo plants are great outdoor 

The Chinese dwarf bamboo plants are great outdoor and indoor plants. 

They are less demanding. 

Check out the link, if you want more details on other small bamboo plants and Variegated Bamboos plants that thrive in cooler climates.

You can find them as running and clumping bamboos. They come in different colours. 

Hope this article gives you some ideas about the dwarf bamboo cultivars that you can grow in the UK. 

Is your favourite bamboo on this list?

Leave a comment and let us know.