Bamboo species exist that make for great landscape plants outdoors and great potted specimens indoors.
Nearly all bamboo species have rapid growth and happen to be one the fastest growing species of plants in the world!
Bamboo is an evergreen perennial, making them easy care for although may include common problems for both novice or experienced gardeners.
The five primary reasons for dead bamboo are due to cold or hot temperatures, poor soil condition, insect infestations and your watering or your lighting. Make sure to fertilize and water regularly , however, do not overwater your bamboo.
Keep your bamboo in brighter light or indirect light. Keep your bamboo away from too many excessive temperatures, hot or cold. Make sure to check your bamboo plant for insect infestation regularly.
Various Bamboo Species
Although the precise number is frequently updated, the best estimates show there are between 1,400-1,600 species of bamboo in the world.
Bamboo has been prized for centuries for decorative attributes to use as a screen or partition in gardens and landscapes.
Bambusa vulgaris species translates to ‘common bamboo and as the name applies, it is found in regions in Southeast Asia.
In Northern America it is more common to use the species Bambusa Oldhamii for outdoor landscape planting.
Also, common in use in indoor situations are bamboo plants, especially the lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) often given as a housewarming gift purported to increase feng shui properties.
Most of the problems with bamboo plants arise with indoor potted plants because while the bamboo plant is quite hardy, they still require sufficient water, sunlight, and appropriate soil conditions necessary to persevere for a healthy life.
Here are 5 of the most frequent plant issues that could lead to your bamboo plant dying.
1. Bamboo Is Sensitive to Temperature Indoors
Bamboo is probably one of the most easy-going, versatile plants you can plant but only certain varieties perform well under diverse climates.
Bamboo likes subtropical conditions best, but it will always perform better if planted outside. Many species of bamboo will be okay planted outside in extreme cold temperatures too.
Although planting your bamboo plant outdoors leaves no option for controlling the temperature, it is good to keep in mind that an indoor potted bamboo plant needs to be maintained in a specific temperature range that is conducive to plant health.
Preferred Temperature Ranges for Bamboo Species
Seabreeze bamboo (Bambusa malingensis) can handle temperatures as low as 18°F.
Giant Timber bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii) is perhaps one of the more commonly grown bamboo types across the US and can handle temperatures as low as 22°F.
When grown indoors, lucky bamboo plants enjoy a temperature of 65-95°F.
They are very sensitive to colder temperatures and should never have cooler air blowing toward them from a cool vent, air conditioning, etc.
Recommendation: A maintained environment will aid your lucky bamboo plant in living a healthy and happy life.
2. Bamboo Needs Good Soil
Bamboo is an outdoor plant. While many have successfully grown bamboo indoors, it is more difficult.
This is because bamboo grows so fast, with a rapidly growing rhizome root system that grows aggressively and uses a lot of nutrients to support the plant’s growth.
Every species of bamboo has its own preferred soil conditions but most species prefer loamy soil that is light in structure and rich in organic matter and nutrients.
The perfect soil for growing bamboo is a mixture of sand, silt, and clay in equal parts that allows moisture retention without water-logging the plant.
The Best Soil and Fertilizer Mix for Bamboo
Fertilizing your soil regularly is another practice that helps to maintain a reserve of nutrients in the soil for growing bamboo.
Mixing soil with 20% composted manure gives a longer-term supply of nutrients to the soil.
Mixing in a small amount (5%) of Biochar (a type of charcoal) will also add and hold nutrients beneficial for plant growth.
Pot Your Bamboo with Enough Room for Roots to Grow
Another factor to keep in mind when growing bamboo is root size and growth.
Bamboo is fast-growing, and has quite aggressive roots.
Planting them in a pot that is too small will eventually overcrowd the roots and may affect the health of the plant. A recommendation for a minimum pot size for bamboo is a 10-gallon pot.
To determine if your bamboo needs to be repotted:
- Take it out of the pot
- And examine whether or not the roots are crowding or strangling themselves
If they are, repot it into as large a pot as possible.
Using a pot that is 20-30 gallons will give you a couple years sustainability before you have to re-pot it.
3. Water Your Bamboo Regularly
Most species of bamboo will need to be watered regularly, being that the rhizomes and roots tend to be shallow, watering them once a week should be a minimum.
If your bamboo is located in a warmer area, or is a warm climate species, you will likely want to water more frequently such as 2-3 times per week in the summer months.
A lucky bamboo, which is sometimes kept indoors, will need little attention and light watering every 7-10 days should be sufficient in a decent temperature climate.
Make sure that your lucky bamboo is in a good quality pot so that the moisture drains.
My Personal Experience: You do not want to let your lucky bamboo soak for a long period of time as this will cause your leaves to yell where the roots will rot.
Avoid Overwatering Your Bamboo
When you observe yellow sprouts or leaves are appearing on your bamboo this is a common indicator that you are overwatering your bamboo plant.
Bamboo likes well drained soil and won’t be able to dry out if the soil dries out quickly.
Excessive moisture in the soil will lead to root rot and prolonged moisture around the roots will cause dying bamboo.
4. Your Bamboo Needs Light to Survive
Under ideal lighting conditions, all bamboo species will flourish, just remember that each species has a different preferred amount of light.
All bamboo species prefer at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day and you can use the general guideline: the more sunlight, the better!
Many bamboo species will tolerate low-light or partial shade conditions, but check with a nursery attendant before you purchase.
Bambusa oldhamii is one of the most common and strong bamboo species and can tolerate full sun in most areas of Northern America.
Good to know: Some southern states in the United States are too hot for bamboo to tolerate summer and can burn the leaves and turn the stalks yellow.
Indoor Bamboo Requires Different Lighting
Indoor bamboo plants need a different amount of sunlight than those that are outdoors.
Lucky bamboo, for example, is a lot more sensitive to extreme temperatures and will easily burn in prolonged temps over 95 degrees F.
Your lucky bamboo is best in a pot that receives six hours of indirect sunlight every day.
If it does not have enough light, its leaves will start to yellow.
5. Check Your Bamboo for Insects
Bamboo is generally pretty tough, and while there are pests and bacteria that can jeopardize the health of your bamboo, untreated or ignored infestations can be serious.
Mealy-bugs, beetles, mites, aphids, scale, and bamboo mites can occur in any bamboo plant.
You can usually manage those pests with non-chemical solutions and insecticidal soaps.
You should routinely check your bamboo plants for any insects; if you see any signs of insect or bacterial infestation, it is always recommended that you take prompt action and apply an insecticide solution.
Summary
Bamboo is a fantastic addition for any garden; it grows quickly into nice decorative foliage with tall stems that are great for screens and fencing or just for some additional greenery.
Bamboo is hardy, resilient to insects and diseases, and grows readily in a variety of climatic zones; this makes bamboo perfect for any garden across the US.
Bamboo prefers to have at least a few hours of daylight while planted outdoors and at least a few hours of indirect light while planted indoors.
Water your bamboo plant continually and it will grow best in loamy, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Do that, and you will be well on your way to growing a happy and healthy bamboo plant.