In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about caring for and propagating this beloved plant.
Chinese money plant, also known as Pilea peperomioides, is a trendy houseplant that has gained popularity in recent years. It is loved for its unique round leaves and ease of care. However, some growers may still struggle to keep their Chinese money plant healthy and thriving.
Caring for Chinese Money Plant
1. Light Requirements:
Chinese money plants prefer bright, indirect light. They can tolerate lower light conditions, but they will grow slower and their leaves may turn yellow. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight, as this can cause their leaves to burn.
2. Watering:
It is important to keep the soil of your Chinese money plant moist but not waterlogged. Watering once a week is usually sufficient, but make sure to check the soil moisture before watering to avoid overwatering. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
3. Humidity:
Chinese money plants thrive in a humid environment, but they can also tolerate average indoor humidity levels. If the air in your home is dry, consider using a humidifier or placing a tray of water near the plant.
4. Fertilising:
Feed your Chinese money plant with a balanced houseplant fertiliser every two weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). During the winter, reduce fertilisation to once a month.
5. Pruning:
Prune your Chinese money plant to keep it compact and bushy. You can also pinch off the top of the plant to encourage branching.
How to Propagate Chinese Money Plants
Chinese money plants are easy to propagate and make great gifts for fellow plant enthusiasts. Here are two methods for propagating Chinese money plants:
1. Division:
If your Chinese money plant has grown too big for its pot, you can divide it into smaller plants. Gently remove the plant from its pot and separate the individual stems. Make sure each stem has roots attached.
Repot the new plants in fresh soil and water them thoroughly.
2. Stem Cuttings:
Take stem cuttings from your Chinese money plant by cutting a stem just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves from the stem and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
Place the cutting in a pot filled with moist potting soil and cover it with a plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse. Keep the soil moist and in a bright, indirect light until the cutting has rooted.
Final words...
The Chinese money plant is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for houseplant that can add a touch of greenery to any space. By following these care tips and propagation methods, you can enjoy a healthy and thriving plant for years to come.
Remember to keep an eye on your plant's moisture levels and provide it with the right amount of light and nutrients to help it thrive.
Although some bamboo varieties are invasive, many UK gardeners are finding simple ways to grow and contain bamboo plants.
Buy Bamboo Plants for Screening
Clumping Bamboo Plants UK
Small bamboo plants, the clump-forming bamboo plants are great pot and container plants.
The prices are reflective of the various sizes of the plants at the time of the article and a subject to change.
Check with your local garden centre and online stores. Here is a list of top UK bamboo suppliers.
Bamboo plants in pots for sale
The ‘Price range’ in the tables above takes the lower-end price from the major online markets like e-Bay and Amazon at the time of this article.
Costs of Bamboos ranges between £20 and £60 or can be even higher. When buying plants, always choose a reputable garden shop because they sell high-quality plants.
Always check the post and package cost as this may not be included in the final cost of the bamboo plant. This may be dumb, but it is the best way to avoid paying more than you should.
The upper price limits are from the leading Garden Centres in the UK. The upper price limits are indicative of the delivery prices. However, the prices do fluctuate, therefore check the actual door price before making a purchase.
Buy screening bamboo plants
Online bamboo P&P:
Getting bargain garden bamboo plants from online marketplaces like Amazon and e-Bay can be satisfying.
However, the price of Garden Bamboo Plants from online marketplaces does not include the postage and packing, P&P.
Therefore, it is perhaps important to check out the actual cost price of the plant on sale before buying it.
Though it may look expensive, the price of bamboo plants on sale is always the home-delivery price.
So whether you are thinking of buying from the major online marketers or at your favourite garden shops, use the Price Range in the tables in this article as a guide.
Check out GBP Blog's archive and YouTube Videos for tips and tricks to Grow Bamboo Plants in the UK. It has an updated collection of articles on ALL-YOU-NEED-TO-GROW-BAMBOO plants.
Online data has shown that in the last 5 years, there is a high demand for bamboo plants. In particular, the clump-forming bamboo plants have been growing in popularity in the UK.
The fast-growing evergreen screen is the ideal option for shielding the unsightly features.
Tall Bamboo Plant UK [Phyllostachy vixax areocaulis]
Uses of bamboo plants
Many homeowners and gardeners realised that bamboo plants are best for border fences, henge and privacy screens.
Additionally, bamboo plants are also popular due to their multiple uses in gardens.
They grow well in the UK climate and thrive throughout the cold winter months.
Bamboos like Sasa Nipponica can be pruned, which makes them the best hedge plant. Grow them along the border, or as hedges to form a formidable screen.
Maintain bamboo plants
Although most borders, hedges and screening bamboo plants need less maintenance, you may have to monitor their growth so that they do not spread.
A regular check all year round is the most effective way to stop the bamboo rhizomes from invading other people’s properties.
In addition, a regular check is important for pruning the old bamboo and maintaining the hedges so that they stay neat and adorable.
I grow the Golden Chinese Timber Bamboo, Phyllostachys vivax f. areosulcata from Rhizome cuttings in August last year. The bamboo plants are a year old and are looking great.
It has been a year of learning to grow bamboo from cuttings. It requires care for the delicate new shoots where I kept the snails away, staked the new bamboo shoots and watered them during the warm summer months.
The fast-growing bamboo shoots reached over 60cm in 8 weeks (2 months).
By the end of the 12th month, the height of the longest bamboo was 106cm which means that the bamboo shoot grew only 40cm in 10 months.
But, something interesting happened during that time. [Watch the 1 Year Video Update to find out what happened]
VIDEOS UPDATES: How to Grow Bamboo from Rhizome Cuttings
This raw video list shows the work that I did over the period of 12 months, from the summer of 2021 to 2022.
Video 1: Grow Bamboo in the Propagating medium (2 weeks growth)
I used a bucket as a bamboo propagator. Planted the rhizomes in the bucket for 2 weeks until the roots and shoots germinated before transplanting them into Holding Pots.
Video 2: Bamboo Growing in the Propagating medium (4 weeks growth) New Growth Eaten by Slugs
I had to stop the slugs from eating the new shoots by applying slug & snail pellets. It worked.
Video 3: Transplanting new bamboo from Propagator to Holding Pot (4 weeks growth)
Video 4: Calculating the Growth Rate of Bamboo in the Pots (8 weeks growth) - how fast does bamboo grow in a day?
In this video, I measured the height of the new bamboo shoots for 8 weeks and found the growth rate of this bamboo.
Video 5: How tall a bamboo grows in one year
From my observations, a new shoot will grow super fast in the first two months.
Then, put out branches and leaves and establish the rooting underground.
The first shoot can reach a metre to two metres, eventually doubling the height as it grows.
Video 6: What happens as a new bamboo plant grows? [Expected Height by Year]
Like most plants, a newly planted bamboo will not reach its full height in the first year.
Each year the bamboo will grow taller, in some cases twice as tall as the previous plant.
It will reach its matured height in 4-5 years and last for as long as 20-30 years.
Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis bamboo originates from Japan and China.
In the UK, many bamboo nurseries and bamboo enthusiasts grow this cultivar from Rhizome Cuttings.
You can also use Culm Cuttings or Bamboo Seeds to propagate Phyllostachys Sulphurea Viridis.
However, bamboo seeds are often hard to find because bamboo rarely produces flowers. If you are lucky to have a rare bamboo seed, take extra care to grow them.
Lucky bamboo is a popular houseplant. But, keen growers are asking 'how can I propagate lucky bamboo plants? You will also need to know how to provide ongoing care for your bamboo plants.
There are 3 common ways to propagate a lucky bamboo plant.
Propagation by
stem and shoot cuttings,
separation (plant division) and
seeds.
How can I take cuttings from lucky bamboo plants?
Before propagating lucky bamboo, take the cuttings either from the main stalks or side shoots.
The lucky bamboo plant grows quicker from cutting than from the root separation and seeds.
To take the cuttings from the main stalk, cut 3 – 5 cm away from the node. As for the new side shoots, take the cutting as close as you can to the main stalk, the new shoot will re-generate so you do not have to worry.
Tidy up the first 2 – 4 sheaths along the cuttings to make way for the roots to germinate.
Coat the freshly cut ends with candle wax to stop them from rotting.
Now, the cuttings are ready for propagating in growing mediums.
How can I propagate stalk and shoot cuttings?
Lucky bamboo cuttings prepared above will thrive in water, soil and gravel. In this case, we’ll use soil as the propagating medium.
Put cuttings in a growing pot.
Add well-drained potting soil so that it covers 2 or 3 rooting nodes.
Water generously, use distilled water.
Set aside in a well-ventilated location where there is good indoor light.
Water regularly for 7 to 14 days after planting until you see signs of growth.
Top tip. Always use distilled or rainwater as they are free from chlorine which is the main cause of rotting in these plants.
How can I propagate lucky bamboo by plant divisions?
You can propagate lucky bamboo by plant divisions by separating the stalks from a recent purchase or removed from another pot.
You can use soil, water or gravel as a growing medium. In this case, we’ll use soil.
Tidy up any loose leaves, roots and ends.
Cover any freshly cut ends with candle wax to prevent rotting.
Prepare a regular pot with loam or potting soil. Place gravels or rock at the bottom of the pot for drainage
Place the plant divisions in the pot and cover the first 2 – 3 nodes with soil.
Water generously. (To promote root growth, mix some rooting powder with water)
Set aside in a well-lit location, away from direct sunlight and busy areas.
Top tip: Within 1 to 2 weeks, new roots and shoots should appear. Water once or twice each week. There is no need to water regularly if you are using loam soil as it has a high water retention capacity. Keep a close watch for signs of rooting and new shoots. Avoid giving the lucky bamboo fertilisers at this early stage.
How can I propagate lucky bamboo plants from seeds?
It takes a long time to get real lucky bamboo plants from seeds. In fact, it can take 6 – 12 months from potting the seeds to getting a real plant.
Also, lucky bamboo does not flower regularly, that’s why it’s often hard to get the seeds locally.
The best thing is the satisfaction of propagating your own plant!
So, here are the steps you can follow if you are ambitious.
Propagating lucky bamboo from seed:
Place the seeds out on a wet paper towel or white cloth. The seeds are black and small, so be careful when handling them.
Prepare the grow pots. Add well-drained moist soil or potting soil. Avoid using regular garden soil because it may have snails and slugs in them.
Put the seeds about 1 cm to 1.5 cm into the soil. Space them out evenly.
Water generously and place them in the greenhouse or in a shaded site until they germinate.
After propagating bamboo from seeds
Check and water regularly, but do not overwater.
Gently pull out the plants that are 10 cm in height and move them into pots until all your plants have been transplanted.
Do not empty the growing pot (tray) because some seeds may remain dormant in it. Leave them for a further 2 or 3 weeks until you are absolutely certain that all the seeds have germinated.
Top tip: It can take up to 2 weeks, even longer, for the lucky bamboo seeds to germinate. Once the new plants reach 10 cm to 15 cm tall, transplant them into larger pots. Ensure that the soil you are using is rich in nutrients and well-aerated. Lucky bamboo plants do not like waterlogged soil, do not overwater the plants.
How long does lucky bamboo take to grow?
The propagated plants can take about 2 weeks to 4 weeks for the first signs of growth to appear.
Clumping bamboos do not have running rhizomes, instead, the roots are packed around the base forming a clumped base, hence the name clump-forming bamboo.
When separating the clumps, take care to preserve the parent plant.
If you already have matured bamboo plants, then you can use the cutting from the branches, culms (stems) or rhizomes (roots) to propagate a new plant.
Take care when separating bamboo rhizomes.
Use a hacksaw (or a pair of garden loopers) and cut at 45 degrees angle, 5 – 10 cm away from the node. Avoid splitting them.
The best time for propagating new bamboo cuttings is in late summer or early Spring when they reach their full growth and the new shoots are starting to grow, respectively.
Take extra care when taking the new cuttings off an old bamboo plant to preserve the parent plant.
Treat the new cuttings delicately for them to grow.
Hacksaw or a pair of secateurs for cutting the culms and rhizomes.
Planting: Materials you will need to plant bamboo cuttings
Soil
Bark or organic materials for mulch
Pots and containers for planting the bamboo cuttings.
Rainwater or tapwater (avoid using chlorinated water)
Essentials for propagating running bamboo cuttings
Separate the cuttings from the parent plant early in spring or late in summer. Take the bamboo cuttings from the rhizomes, culms or even the base of the parent plant.
Rhizomes cuttings: Cut the rhizomes with 4 - 6 buds long, use a pair of secateurs or garden loopers. The best tip is to look for new shoots at the buds. The shots have a high chance of germinating.
Stem cuttings: Cut the culms 5 – 10 cm away from the node. Plant them deep in rich soil, either in a container or directly in the ground.
New culms: This is my favourite because they grow every time. Check for new culms that have a couple of branches. Carefully, dig them up and prepare them for propagation in pots.
Water the new cuttings/plants thoroughly.
Mulch the new bamboo plant using bark or other organic materials.
5 factors affect the growth of bamboo new cuttings
Propagating bamboo plants is a long-term affair. Take these 5 factors into consideration when growing new bamboo plants.
1. Choose the site carefully
The two bamboo plant varieties in UK gardens are tough plants. But the new plants are susceptible to the weather.
New bamboo plants grown from cuttings should be propagated in locations where there is a good amount of sunlight and away from direct wind.
2. Identify the garden feature you want
Running Bamboo plants are ideal for growing in the garden.
They have tall colourful stems, unmistakably evergreen. Winterhardy, are permanent screen all year round.
Water is an important natural growth enhancer for propagating bamboo rhizomes, culm cuttings and seeds. Before propagating new cutting and seeds, it is important to soak them in water.
Hydrated cutting and seeds grow faster because water naturally triggers germination in plants and seeds.
Step 1: Cut the new growth (bamboo shoots and rhizomes tips) at a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife or a pair of secateurs.
Allow for two nodes and two internodes. Be careful not to move the new shoots too hard because they are tender and can break easily.
Step 2: Seal the ends of cuttings with grafting wax or melted candle wax to prevent the cuts from rotting.
Step 3: Place the cuttings in a pot of distilled water (or rainwater) and leave it in a well-lit site until new roots appear. Change the water every other day.
Do not use chlorinated water. As soon as the roots grow longer, move them to plastic pots or containers.
Step 4: Lay the bottom of 20cm (8 inches) pots with pebbles or broken ceramic pots to stop soil from falling out under the pot and improve drainage.
Fill the pots with a potting mix, or loam soil. Make a hole 5 – 10cm and plant the cutting at depth into the soil. Careful not to destroy the new roots.
Step 5: Stabilise the new bamboo plants by tying them to bamboo sticks with strings. Move them to a partly shaded location, away from windy sites.
How to propagate Lucky Bamboo in Water, Gravel and Soil
Lucky bamboo is not a bamboo plant from the grass variety, it is from a different family. It is a popular house plant used in Feng Shui.
It generally grows by stem propagation.
The cuttings will thrive in water, soil and gravel. In this case, we’ll use water as the propagating medium.
Step 1: Cut lucky bamboo stem 10cm to 15cm long.
Step 2: Put cuttings in a vase or clear container.
Step 3: Fill the vase with distilled water, do not use tap water.
Step 4: Set aside in a well-ventilated location where there is good indoor light.
Finally, check regularly until you see signs of growth.
Top tip. Always use distilled as they are free from chlorine and chemicals which are the main causes of rotting roots, yellowing of leaves and browning of stems.
What is the difference between propagating and growing lucky bamboo plants? Take a look at the top 10 questions many lucky bamboo growers ask every day.
Why propagate bamboo in Water?
Propagating bamboo plants and lucky bamboo in water promotes the growth of the seeds and cuttings.
Bamboo plants can grow from stem cuttings, but it is not as effective as growing bamboo from base separation and rhizome cuttings. It will also take a long time to germinate.
Follow the steps below for successful propagation by stem cuttings.
Step 1: Cut some cuttings from a three or four-year-old bamboo plant at 45 degrees angle.
Each cutting must have at least two nodes and one internode.
Cover the ends of the bamboo cuttings with wax to save them from rotting or drying.
Use rooting hormone
Step 2: Dip the bamboo cuttings in rooting hormone and ensure that the fresh cuts are covered with the hormone before shaking the excess off.
Use good soil!
Step 3: Fill large a pot or container with potting mix or loam soil (mixture of equal parts sand, silt and clay). Make several holes in the soil and plant the culm cuttings.
Depending on the number of cuttings, you may need more than one pot.
Ideally, an 20cm garden pot should hold not more than 6 new culm cuttings.
Water & humidity promote growth
Step 4: Cover the cuttings with a clear plastic bag to keep the soil moist.
Put the pot of newly planted culm cuttings in a warm area, out of direct sunlight.
Water the cuttings to keep the soil moist as water and humidity promote new growth.
Continue early-stage care
Step 5: When you see new shoots, it means the cuttings are putting out roots and rhizomes in the soil.
Continue to water the cuttings until they are ready to move into new pots or planted straight in the garden.
Bamboo plants grow well from rhizome cuttings - use the steps for growing healthy bamboo plants.
This propagation method works for the running bamboo because they have elongated rhizomes. Note that the rhizomes are in fact underground stems with nodes and internodes.
Cut carefully along the nodes as new bamboo plants germinate at the node.
You can use the 5 steps to propagate both clumping and running bamboo for their rhizomes.
Careful at the nodes
Step 1: Separate the rhizomes from the parent bamboo plants.
Careful not to break the rhizome tips and new shoots or buds growing at the rhizome’s nodes.
Preserve new shoots
Step 2: Cut the rhizomes 4 - 6 buds using pair of secateurs.
The best tip is to preserve new shoots at the nodes as they have a high chance of germinating when propagated into pots.
If you are taking cuttings from the main clump, leave 2 – 3 small culms on it.
You can also use the rhizome tips/shoots as new cuttings.
Water immediately
Step 3: Water both the new cuttings and the parent bamboo plant thoroughly.
Place the new cuttings straight into a bucket of water so that they don’t dry out.
You can dip the bamboo into growth hormone to boost root growth.
Plant cuttings in good soil
Step 4: Fill a large 20 – 30 cm pot or container with potting mix or loam soil (mixture of equal parts sand, silt and clay).
Step 5: Make several holes in the soil and plant the rhizome cuttings with the shoots and rhizome buds facing up. Water the newly planted rhizomes cuttings thoroughly.
Depending on the size of the cuttings, you may need more than one pot. Place the pot in a shaded area, away from direct sun.
The Rhizomes will take about four to six weeks to grow. So, water consistently but do not overwater.
Bamboo seeds take up to 12 months to grow in propagators before they can be transplanted into holding pots.
Care has to be taken when transplanting delicate new plants.
Steps for transplanting new bamboo plants
When the seeds have germinated, it is time to transplant them into the garden or larger pots.
You will need steady hands to do that.
Step 1. Prepare soil for growing bamboo sprouts:
Mix a good potting soil with compost bark in the ratio of 75% to 25%, or 3 parts potting mixture to 1 part compost bark. The compost bark will add humus to the soil.
Alternatively, use natural plant-based humus such as fine grass cuttings. Do not add too much as the heat can kill the new bamboo seedlings.
Step 2. Moving sprouts:
Carefully pull the healthy sprouting seeds out of the propagating pot or tray.
Use a lifter so that you do not break the delicate roots.
Step 3. Leave the soil in the propagator
Put the propagating pots or trays back and leave for a further 10 days as the dormant bamboo seeds are likely to germinate.
Step 4. Potting sprouts:
Lay the bottom of the 4cm or 6cm plastics pots or containers with pebbles or broken ceramics. This will stop soil from falling through and improve drainage.
Add the mixture of potting soil and bark (from Step 1). Plant the sprouts in the centre of the pots, careful not to damage the taproot and new root hairs.
Step 5. Site for potted sprouts:
Set the potted sprouts (in Step 4) in a location where the condition is suitable for further growth. Ideally in a greenhouse or indoors, for the new bamboo to grow for 10 - 12 months.
NOTE: You could lose 1 in 10 bamboo seedlings, but most of them stand a chance to germinate.
When the new bamboos have reached a height of 10 – 40cm, it is time to move them into larger pots and containers.
Transplant them into mini grow pots. Always use plastic pots. The ceramic pots retain heat and are not ideal for germinating seeds.
They’ll need water even in Winter and a lot of attention.
Though bamboo seeds carry the nutrients they need to germinate, once they are transplanted, they'll need nourishment. So, use nutrient-rich soil.
The best soil for planting new bamboo plants is an all-purpose compose.
Spring is the best time to transplant new bamboo that you grow from seeds.
Bamboos are fastest-growing plants
Bamboo plants are known as the fastest-growing plants. Some species can grow at an average of 1m per day.
The first shoots, rhizomes and culms can reach their full growth between the 4th or 5th year after planting. When the bamboos start to ‘outgrow’ the pots, repot them.
Prune the rhizomes and old culms so that they do not invade other spaces
The best thing to do when learning how to propagate bamboo from seeds and transplant them successfully is to prepare the materials and site properly.
Digging out bamboo roots needs planning and the right tools. This article provides all the info you need to know based on the work we did in the bamboo garden over many years.
Find out how to remove bamboo rhizomes the right way by using hand tools.
Best hand tools for digging up bamboo
Bamboo roots/rhizomes and base buds are rough, you've got to have tougher tools to deal with them.
The best hand tool for digging out bamboo is a pickaxe. Though it's heavy, it will make work lighter.
Also, you will need a pair of shears, a spade/shovel, a crowbar and a pruning hand saw.
Use a sealable bin to keep the rhizome cutting until they are dry.
When removing invasive bamboo, always work smart, not hard.
Identify where the rhizomes are running before digging.
Here is how to dig out bamboo without using chemicals.
Cut stems
Cut the bamboo stems at 180 degrees across (horizontally), close to the ground. (Dig out the bamboo or use them in the garden)
Dig out dirt
Dig a drain around or along with the bamboo to a depth of 5 – 20cm.
Dig out the soil and dirt, cut off the rhizomes and clean the root hairs.
Remove rhizomes and clump bases
Removing rhizomes: Identify which way the rhizomes are running or how the clumps are formed, and dig along the rhizomes before removing them. (Do not break the rhizomes as they will grow back if left in the soils).
Removing bamboo base clumps: Use a pickaxe to dig out the base of the bamboo – one base stem at a time.
Do these before binning
Use a pair of secateurs or garden loppers to cut the stems into smaller pieces about 1 – 3cm.
Remove any side buds and root hairs to avoid any chance of growing back.
Leave the rhizome cuttings in direct sunlight and starve them off water and shade for 3 – 5 days or unit the rhizomes turn brown. This should be enough to kill them completely.
Tools you’ll need: Hacksaw, pickaxe, pair of secateurs or garden loopers. Get them here
Work smart when digging up bamboo roots
The bamboos have tough rhizomes (underground stems) and culms (stems), so work smart when digging them up.
Care should be taken when cutting the bamboo stems and rhizomes.
Hope this article gives you an idea about how to dig out and remove bamboo rhizomes in your garden and stop the rhizomes from spreading into other spaces.
Bamboo canes are fantastic to have around. You can grow new plants for the canes or use them as sticks in the garden.
They have many uses, yet care should be taken when preparing them as the splinters and slits can cause injuries to the exposed skin.
Find out how to cut bamboo canes without splitting.
What is the right cane to take cuttings?
Young cane cuttings are not the best to propagate because they will not germinate. This is the same for the canes that are 5 years or older.
Choose healthy canes with new branches and fully grown leaves. Ideally, the canes that are 3 - 4 years old. They have the energy to grow into new plants when planted.
A garden bamboo shoot can grow up to 10cm on a spring day, and reach its full height in just 4 weeks. By summer, it will put out branches and leaves. This bamboo's growth is complete, but it will remain evergreen for 30 - 60 years.
According to the Guinness World Records, timber bamboo grows up to 91 centimetres (35 inches) per day.
Close to home, at the Kew Garden Palm House, the Giant Timber Bamboo [pictured] grows to 24m in 16 days, as measured.
That's a whopping 1.5m per day!
This bamboo grows 1.5m/day
When does bamboo grow the fastest?
The new bamboo shoots come out in spring and grow the fastest during the first 3 - 4 weeks.
In summer, they'll start to branch out and produce leaves.
Also, spring is the ideal time to grow new bamboo plants because they will be active during this time.
When should I grow new bamboo plants?
Understanding how fast bamboo grows and when they grow the fastest is important to growing it.
As the roots establish themselves, (and they do that very quickly over Summer), your bamboo cuttings will be ready for planting the following Spring.
Also, spring is the best time to grow any potted bamboo. As mentioned, grow them early so that they have the chance to germinate over the spring and summer months.
Having said that, bamboo is a resilient plant. When you plant it does not really matter. It will remain in the soil until the condition are right for it to sprout.
Check your bamboo plants for growth
Late Spring and early Summers are the best times for checking your bamboo plants. This is also a good time to grow bamboo because the new shoots and rhizomes tips will have been sprouting.
During the rest of the year, the matured bamboo plants, especially the culms and rhizomes, in your garden will remain green and provide covers even through the Winter months.
They are pretty tolerant of cold and dry soils.
Bamboos are amazing plants, they grow well all year round.
Their evergreen foliage and tall hardy stems make them ideal plants for privacy screens and ornamental garden centrepieces.
If you are going to grow a bamboo plant, either in pots or in the garden, it is important to know that they grow very quickly.
The new shoots and rhizomes (roots) can take over the space very quickly if left unchecked.
We hope this article answers your questions about how to grow our favourite bamboo plant.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Follow us on Twitter and YouTube for the latest updates.
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 4Potted 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.
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.
