Types Of Bamboo Plants

If you’re thinking about adding bamboo to your garden, you might be surprised by just how many options you have. The world of types of bamboo plants is incredibly diverse and versatile, offering something for every climate and garden design. From towering giants to charming ground covers, understanding these varieties is the key to choosing the right one for your space.

This guide will help you navigate the different categories. We’ll look at how they grow, their ideal uses, and some popular species you can consider.

Bamboo is primarily divided into two main growth types: running and clumping. This difference is the most important thing to understand before you plant. Getting it wrong can lead to a garden invasion or a plant that doesn’t thrive.

Running Bamboo (Leptomorph)

Running bamboos spread vigorously by underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes can travel several feet each year, sending up new shoots far from the original plant. They are best for creating quick screens or naturalizing large areas.

You must plan for containment with running bamboo. Many gardeners use specialized rhizome barriers. Here are some common running varieties:

Phyllostachys: This genus includes many hardy, tall bamboos. Phyllostachys aurea (Golden Bamboo) is known for its compressed lower internodes. Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) has stunning black culms.
Pleioblastus: These are often shorter, aggressive spreaders used as ground cover. Pleioblastus variegatus is a popular dwarf variegated type.
Sasa: Known for their very large leaves, these bamboos create a tropical look and can be quite invasive in mild climates.

Clumping Bamboo (Pachymorph)

Clumping bamboos are much more well-behaved in the landscape. Their rhizomes curve upward to form new shoots right next to the parent plant, creating a slowly expanding “clump.” They are ideal for most residential gardens where control is a priority.

Bambusa: A large genus of tropical and subtropical clumpers. Bambusa oldhamii (Giant Timber Bamboo) is a massive, beautiful species for warm zones. Bambusa multiplex (Hedge Bamboo) is excellent for dense screens.
Fargesia: These are the cold-hardy, shade-tolerant clumping bamboos. Fargesia murielae (Umbrella Bamboo) and Fargesia nitida are favorites for temperate gardens.
Chusquea: A unique genus of clumping bamboo with solid culms instead of hollow ones. They are mostly from South America and offer interesting textures.

By Size and Use

Beyond growth habit, bamboos can be catagorized by their mature size and what you want to use them for. This helps you match the plant to your specific need.

Timber Bamboos

These are the giants, used for construction, crafts, and creating majestic groves. They typically grow over 30 feet tall. Examples include Guadua angustifolia and Phyllostachys edulis (Moso Bamboo), the latter being the main source for bamboo fabric and flooring.

Ornamental Bamboos

Chosen for their visual appeal—unique culm colors, interesting leaf patterns, or graceful forms. Phyllostachys vivax ‘Aureocaulis’ has bright yellow culms with green stripes. Chimonobambusa quadrangularis (Square Bamboo) has, as it’s name suggests, square-shaped culms.

Hedge & Screening Bamboos

You need dense, tall, and fast-growing plants for privacy. Both clumping (like Bambusa multiplex) and running types (like many Phyllostachys) work, but containment for runners is essential. Clumping Fargesia rufa is a fantastic, non-invasive choice for a quick, dense screen.

Groundcover Bamboos

These are low-growing, spreading types perfect for covering slopes or shady areas where grass struggles. Shibataea kumasaca (Ruscus Bamboo) and various Pleioblastus species fit this role well, though they often need edging to keep them in check.

Choosing the Right Bamboo for Your Garden

Selecting a bamboo isn’t just about looks. You have to consider your local environment and your gardening goals. Follow these steps to make a good choice.

Check Your Hardiness Zone: Bamboo ranges from tender tropicals to plants that survive below 0°F. Know your USDA zone first.
Decide on Growth Habit: For most gardens, a clumping bamboo is the safest, easiest choice. Only choose running bamboo if you have vast space or are committed to installing and maintaining a barrier.
Assess Your Space: How much room do you have? Consider both height and the ultimate width of the clump or grove. Don’t plant a giant timber bamboo in a small courtyard.
Sun vs. Shade: Most bamboos prefer full sun to partial shade. Some, like the Fargesia genus, tolerate more shade than others.
Consider the Purpose: Are you needing a privacy screen, a specimen plant, or erosion control? Match the species to the task.

Planting and Care Basics

Once you’ve chosen your bamboo, proper planting and care will ensure it thrives. Bamboo is generally low-maintenance once established, but it needs a good start.

Planting Steps

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
Mix the native soil with some compost to improve drainage and nutrients.
Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the ground surface.
Backfill with your soil mix, tamping gently to remove air pockets.
Water deeply to settle the soil. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture.

Ongoing Maintenance

Watering: Bamboo likes consistent moisture, especially during it’s first year and in dry spells. Deep, infrequent watering is better than frequent sprinkles.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to support the main shooting season. A second application in early summer can be beneficial.
Pruning & Thinning: Remove dead, damaged, or weak culms at ground level each year to improve air flow and appearance. You can also thin out older culms to control density.
Containment: For running bamboos, check the barrier edges annually. Cut any rhizomes that try to jump over or dive under the barrier.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

Bamboo sometimes gets a bad rap. Let’s clear up a few common misunderstandings.

Myth: All bamboo is invasive. Truth: Only running types are aggressively spreading. Clumping bamboos stay put and are perfectly safe for most landscapes.
Myth: Bamboo attracts termites. Truth: Termites eat dead cellulose, not living plants. Dry bamboo stakes or mulch could attract them, but living bamboo in your garden does not.
Myth: Bamboo dies after flowering. Truth: While many species have a life cycle that ends with a gregarious flowering event (sometimes after decades), not all do. Modern propagation means many plants available are from non-flowering stock.

FAQ Section

What are the different kinds of bamboo?

The primary kinds are defined by growth habit: running (spreading) and clumping (non-spreading). They are further categorized by size (timber, ornamental, dwarf) and use (screening, groundcover).

What is the most common type of bamboo plant?

In temperate gardens, Phyllostachys aurea (Golden Bamboo) is a very common running type. For clumpers, Fargesia murielae and Fargesia nitida are widely planted due to their hardiness and manners.

Which bamboo varieties are best for privacy?

Fast-growing, dense clumpers like Bambusa multiplex or Fargesia rufa are excellent. If you can manage containment, running bamboos like Phyllostachys bissetii create a very thick screen quickly.

Is there a bamboo that doesn’t spread?

Yes! Clumping bamboo varieties do not spread invasively. Their growth is contained to a slowly enlarging mound, making them the perfect choice for worry-free planting.

How do I stop bamboo from spreading?

For running bamboo, installing a professional-grade rhizome barrier (30 mil HDPE plastic) at least 30 inches deep around the planting area is the most effective method. Annual monitoring and cutting of escapees is also necessary.

With so many types of bamboo plants available, you can definately find one that fits your vision. By starting with the simple question of “clumping or running,” you set yourself up for success. Remember to choose for your climate, give your plant the space it needs, and enjoy the unique beauty and structure bamboo brings to any garden setting.