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Bamboo As a Houseplant
2 Types of Bamboo House Plants That Fits Your Home
Have you ever considered having bamboo houseplant inside your home? Bamboo is a commonly known plant used for landscaping and ornamental purposes due to its attractive physical appearance.
You can grow a bamboo species indoors as your houseplants. Bamboos are grown to be ornamental or for landscaping plants. So plant this outside in colder climates or inside as a houseplant. There are several varieties of Bamboo that can be used as houseplants.
There are two main types of Bamboo. The clumping Bamboo, such as Chusquea Bamboo, and running Bamboo, an underground runner, such as Marbled Bamboo.
If bamboo houseplants interest you the most and you are very curious about how to take care of bamboo indoor plants, let’s get on to it and know more about bamboo.
What Are the Bamboos Species?
Bamboos are commonly known as Poaceae, a member of the grass family that grows typically in tropical and subtropical regions with more than 1,500 known bamboo species. This makes them one of the largest families in the world, with around half being native to China. Bamboo is the easiest and fastest houseplant you can grow. Bamboo grows from roots instead of seeds. That means bamboo can utilize every part of this perennial plant somehow. Moreover, what’s special about bamboo is that it continues to grow even after you have cut it already.
For instance, people can eat shoots from the bamboo houseplant, but there is a part of the plant known as bamboo sprouts that you can also use. In addition to that, canes are primarily used for creating furniture and construction projects such as wall decorations, room dividers and many more.
Did you know that Bamboo is a very good absorbent? It has a deep roots system that absorbs water and resists drought conditions. Also, this is why Bamboo is commonly known in areas with very low rainfall or limited access to freshwater supplies.
How Tall Does Bamboo Grow?
The tallest bamboo can grow up to 130 feet tall, while some bamboos only grow 3 feet tall as bamboo houseplants. Bamboos are an ideal crop for home landscaping projects because of their ability to be easily shaped in any variety form you like. It has a woody, thick stem that is very hollow and segmented, which is why Bamboos are ideal in every landscaping project. Most clumping bamboos typically grow up to 7 feet taller indoors and require less watering than many other bamboos. Running bamboo can become invasive if not contained. It can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors, necessitating more care and maintenance.
Running Bamboo also grows via rhizomes. However, their roots can travel long distances and send up new shoots on their own. Making it possible for them to spread rapidly through your landscaping. If growing as a houseplant, running bamboos require more attention than clumping types. This is because you need to dig up the roots every once in a while. Running bamboo flowers sporadically throughout the year. On the other hand, clumping bamboo flowers heavily during the summer months.
What Are the Benefits of Bamboo Plants?
The bamboo houseplant is also one of many multi-functional plants in terms of health and other usage. They are very useful and healthy, not to mention that all the parts of bambBenefits of Bamboo Plants will not go to waste since you can utilize almost all its parts. To give you an idea of the benefits of bamboo plants, the following are the bamboos’ primary benefits.
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Low Cholesterol and Great Appetite (Health)
Bamboo prevents constipation and helps you to have great digestion and appetite. Also, Bamboo shoots are high in fiber and low in cholesterol, which will help reduce one’s risk of heart disease.
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Construction and Product Purposes
Bamboo is a great material for construction or any projects you want to do. The tensile strength and strong stem of bamboo are not easy to break. It is the best alternative to wood on small projects. Bamboos are famous for their sustainability and versatility; they can withstand and can go with the flow even in a storm.
How to Grow Bamboo?
Some bamboo houseplants can grow in containers. The most clumping bamboo type is temperate bamboo. A type of bamboo that dies back to the ground every winter to re-emerge again in the spring season. These bamboos can grow immediately in different varieties aiming up to 7 feet tall within 3-5 years.
On the other hand, Running Bamboos are crops that can also grow via rhizomes or horizontal underground stems. However, Running bamboo roots can sometimes be a trouble because they can travel long enough distances to send up new shoots on their own. Making it possible for them to spread rapidly through your landscaping.
If you are going to grow a bamboo houseplant, running bamboo requires more attention than clumping types of bamboo. Running bamboo blooms flowers occasionally throughout the year. To grow it properly, you will need to dig up the roots once in a while. On the other hand, clumping bamboo flowers bloom abundantly during the summer or hot seasons.
How Much Water Bamboo Plants Need?
Bamboos hate dry soil but love the most healthy, moist soil where they can grow well. You’ll have to maintain healthy soil that is moist but not too wet. You have to wait until the surface is dry before watering it again. Bamboo’s running types may develop root rot if left in wet conditions for an extended period.
A typical bamboo houseplant grows at its best if it gets at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water a week on either rainfall or manual watering. Deeply watering bamboo roots will prevent your bamboo from drought. Moreover, do not rake up bamboo leaves from the bamboo roots as much as possible. This way, the leaves will help the roots stay moist. Using layered compost or fertilizer will keep your bamboo growing stronger and healthy.
What Type Of Soil Do I Need?
Knowing how to take care of indoor bamboo plants is important, especially when taking good care of their soil. Making healthy soil will make bamboo house plants grow more and quickly. Usually, ordinary plant fertilizers will work very well on most bamboo species. You can use either balanced, all-purpose variety or mix pellets to provide nutrients to plants longer than ordinary fertilizers
If your bamboo grows indoors with limited sunlight, you can reduce or skip fertilizing altogether. For most bamboo, well-drained soil varieties are best to use a potting mix that contains mostly organic materials. Prepare your pot with drainage holes before filling it with a potting mix.
How To Take Care of A Bamboo Using Light?
Sunlight is a necessity for plants. Even though Bamboos are originally adaptable to different lighting conditions, some varieties of Bamboo can grow in the full shade of sunlight, like Yellow Groove Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea). However, the Bamboos species needs at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day but can also benefit from fluorescent light. Fluorescent light firms growth and prevents the leaves from becoming spindly.
In addition, you can grow Bamboo in either window or windowless offices, but you have to ensure they are exposed to fluorescent lighting. Placing the bamboo houseplant pots directly or underneath fluorescent lights or lamps will be a great spot for them.
Tips on How to Grow Bamboo Indoors
For indoor bamboo houseplants, you can choose between a clumping type or one of the shorter running types. You have to be very careful in choosing the right varieties of bamboo because knowing how to grow one type takes time to learn, and you surely need to consider many things before starting it. The following are tips for your bamboo gardening journey to give more ideas.
- Watering plants regularly – Avoid overwatering your bamboo houseplant, and don’t let the soil stay wet for the longest time so it does not cause root rot and other problems.
- Selecting locations or areas with plenty of direct sunlight is a must. If not possible, use fluorescent lighting instead for better light.
- Use fertilizer every several months (balanced or all-purpose fertilizer can work well) but skip putting fertilizers during winter or early spring.
- Potting soil with organic materials only. Mix them all for the best results.
- Grow crops in well-drained containers. This way, Bamboo roots rot, and other problems that may arise will be prevented.
- Tip Pruning will also help your plants to keep them growing healthier indoors.
How Is Bamboo a Houseplant?
Bamboos are natural, attractive and easy to maintain houseplants. You can always use bamboo as your houseplant inside your home. They will look beautiful and provide greenery indoors without requiring too much time or effort.
Bamboo houseplants are good for growing as indoor plants as long as you choose a light-loving species. Please keep it in a well-lit area, be sure to water it regularly but do not overwater it. Fertilize your bamboo every few months but skip during winter/early spring when new leaves emerge from the dormancy period, and prune if needed. To give you an idea of what bamboo houseplant fits for indoor homes, here is a list of some popular varieties of bamboo.
Black or Lucky Bamboo
Black Bamboo or Phyllostachys nigra is a native bamboo houseplant from Taiwan and China. It is the most attractive bamboo grown in Asia because of its color and appearance. Black Bamboo has a growing cane that turns green to black in season. Black Bamboo’s crafts turn into some high-class products since its wood is a high-quality material, and craftsmen love it.
Yellow Groove Bamboo
Yellow Groove Bamboo (Phyllostachys Aaureosulcata) has a usual color of purple-green and yellow canes. Its upright or erect growth habit is known, making it a great choice as an ornamental plant. It grows at minimum temperature and a maximum height of 14 feet tall which prefers moist soil that is rich and drains well.
Fountain Bamboo
Fountain Bamboo or fargesia nitida is a bamboo species native to China. An Asian bamboo comes in medium to small sizes and is not very keen on high temperatures or hot summers. This variety of Bamboo will produce small, edible bamboo shoots, which you can use to make soups or boiled vegetables.
Are bamboos poisonous?
Bamboo is not poisonous but a harmless plant. But keep in mind that it can cause injury if ingested by pets or children who may eat the leaves/stems by accident. Also, remember that running-type bamboo plants have pointy and sharp edges, so avoid having them around small children and pets without strict supervision.
How to take care lucky bamboo plant? Where should we place it at home?
You can take care of your lucky bamboo houseplant by rotating the plant every time you water it. This way, your bamboo will receive enough amount of sunlight. Leaves will not lean towards a certain side, which can cause the bamboo plants to unevenly growth or brown.
Too much watering can also lead to your plant rot, especially if you keep the plant soaked in water. Making sure to let the soil dry out before watering again is important. Fertilizing regularly when new growth starts during the springtime will also help.
It is also best to place your bamboo in indirect sunlight to avoid exposing too much sunlight, like your room’s window, because it may cause the leaves and stems to turn yellow. When it happens, it will affect your plant’s overall health and physical appearance.
2 Main Types of Bamboo Houseplants
The two main types of bamboo , are, one is the clumping bamboo and the other one is running bamboo. Both have unique characteristics and attractive appearances but differ in many aspects. The clumping bamboos have a slower growth rate while the running bamboos have faster-growing varieties making them more suitable for landscaping purposes.
Clumping bamboos
Most clumping bamboos grow up to 7 feet tall, while running bamboos can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors. Typically, most Bamboos have short internodes that make them fit and are ideal plants for smaller spaces. Aside from that, clumping bamboo requires less water than the other, making it easier to maintain in your household. But because they take time before it grows, they are not widely used commercially as running bamboo.
How does clumping bamboo grow?
Clumping Bamboos is much easier to control growth than running bamboos. Clumping bamboos are types of bamboo house plants which are sympodial and have a non-invasive rhizome structure known as pachymorph. Indoor Clumping bamboos can grow up to 7 feet tall and require less water than other bamboo species, and that is why it is the type of Bamboo that is easier to take care of and maintain. While running bamboo can become invasive if not attentively taken care of and contained. They can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors but need a little care and maintenance.
To know more about growing clumping bamboo inside your home, keep reading.
Running bamboos
Due to its quick growth rate, running bamboos makes a greater commercial value, making them the number one choice for landscaping projects. They are also known to grow in many soil conditions, but they do not fare well when planted directly in water. When left exposed to flooding, their roots need oxygen, and it can cause problems such as rotting.
4 Types of Clumping Bamboos
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Fargesia
Fargesia is cultivated as an ornamental plant native primarily to China but has few species in Vietnam and the eastern Himalayas. It is commonly known as umbrella bamboo and fountain bamboo. Fargesia is a clumping type of bamboo houseplant with a full and bushy appearance that can prosper up to 15 feet tall, given the best conditions to grow. It is a type of bamboo used to block wind and provide security in the form of a natural fence. You have to use well-drained soil, a balanced fertilizer, and partial sunlight to let it grow at its best.
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Chusquea
If you happen to see pandas around this type of bamboo, this is because Chusquea is essential to them. Chusquea is the type of bamboo that they eat. Most of the native species of Chusquea are in the mountains of Latin America, Mexico and Argentina, but its origin is in Southern Chile and nearby parts of South America. Unlike any other bamboo, the stem of this chusquea bamboo is solid, not hollow, which means it is a very strong and versatile kind of bamboo. It is the most sun tolerant type of clumping bamboo that can grow past 20 feet, especially if left untrimmed. When necessary, it can also sustain cold weather, which contributes to its flexibility and makes it easier to cultivate.
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Thamnocalamus
Except for having a unique greek name, A beautiful Thamnocalamus is a bamboo species found in the Himalayas, Madagascar, and Southern Africa. Compared to Fargesia, this is the type of bamboo that is more sun tolerant. Thamnocalamus can grow taller up to 15 feet, but some of its species can grow up to 25 feet with smaller leaves. Gardeners love to use these as windbreakers and natural screens in sunnier or warmest areas.
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Borinda
Borinda is a highly recommended ornamental clumping bamboo plant. While everyone in the clumping club of bamboos is sun resistant, Borinda is different among them all. Borinda is less sun-resistant and very tolerant of cold weather, making it suitable to grow in a Mediterranean climate. It will also need well-drained soil and a low humidity space to prosper. Borinda loves being under a shade of sunlight during the day to keep it healthy and continue to grow.
2 Types of Running Bamboos
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Marbled Bamboo
Chimonobambusa Marmorea is a bamboo species that are native to Japan. An attractive running bamboo that has small leaves with a marbled pattern. It is best to grow in a temperate climate, which means marbled bamboo loves moderate rainfall, mild to warm summer sessions and a cool to cold winter climate.
A marbled bamboo typically grows in a well-drained, moist and humus-rich soil and hates being on dry soil. What’s great about marbled bamboo is that it only needs a little maintenance, unlike any other bamboo species.
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Square Bamboo
Square Bamboo is a one-of-kind bamboo species. Square Bamboo, scientifically known as Chimonobambusa Quadrangularis is a unique bamboo plant with a nice and tidy square shape. It has a thick wall of hollow stems or culms which are flattened on opposite sides to have rounded corners yet a square shape which is why it is called Square Bamboo. Square Bamboo loves to grow in the bright shady areas rather than in the direct sun all day. It ensures that square bamboo will grow greener and more vibrant leaves. It is not a drought-tolerant bamboo variety that needs regular, thorough watering to grow properly.
What Are The Best Way To Grow Indoor Bamboos?
The best way to keep bamboo flourishing indoors is to grow with enough watering and to ensure that it has enough sunlight. Indoor Bamboo needs a little maintenance and can also be grown outdoors if placed in shady areas or during wintertime.
Phyllostachys species, such as the Phyllostachys nigra or Black Bamboo, are a great choice for growing indoor plants because of their turning color culms, making them great as ornamental plants. The Phyllostachys bambusoides or Fargesia is another option that will give you unique color features, which is dark green foliage that grows in well-drained soil.
More importantly, the container’s floor needs to have a drainage hole to flow out the excess water and to keep their soil moist since they hate dry soil. Also, if there is no drainage hole in your pot, use a saucer or tray that can fit underneath your container. In that way, you won’t be worrying about over-watering.
Conclusion
Having a unique house plant inside your home can sometimes be overwhelming, but if it means a lot of joy and relaxation to you and to your home, why not put one inside and take good care of it. Some species or kinds of bamboo may not suit an indoor bamboo houseplant, but don’t worry. There are so many types of Bamboo houseplants to choose from.
Choosing the right bamboo houseplant and what kind of bamboo will fit your home will make it perfectly designed just for you. Keeping a home looks cool and keeping everyone in the family safe is important when putting this kind of houseplant in our own home.
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