22 Types of Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens

Suyash is a Master Gardener and the Editorial and Strategy Director at BalconyGardenWeb.com. With a focus on houseplant care, he combines over a decade of hands-on horticultural experience with editorial expertise to guide and educate plant enthusiasts.
Learn About Our Editorial Policy

2-Minute Read

Bamboos are beautiful, lofty, and grown around the world. Here is a list of different Types of Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens!

Here are Types of Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens that can uplift any home. Many gardeners love to grow bamboo plants for their striking beauty and features. Here are the fastest growing bamboo to adorn the pots and gardens of your home.

Learn about the Best Fertilizers for Lucky Bamboo Plants here


Types of Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens

1. Hedge Bamboo

jungleflora

Botanical Name: Bambusa multiplex

Hedge bamboo is a kind of evergreen bamboo that is known for its beautiful canes among Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens. These bamboo grow from bluish-green clumps, and as the plant ages, the green bamboos change color slightly, turning into yellowish-green canes.

With an average bamboo width of around two inches, these grow straight and quickly in warm climates.

Here are Best Bamboos for a Hedge + How to Maintain it

2. Dwarf Green Stripe Bamboo

Botanical Name: Pleioblastus Viridistriatus ‘Dwarf Green Stripe’

Growing bamboo indoors? During the summer and spring, Dwarf Green captivates with its stunning look, identifiable by its striped green leaves. Found in parts of East Asia and primarily native to Japan and China, it is truly a beauty.

Dwarf green stripes are known to be deciduous even during the winter. These are generally easy-to-care bamboo that can withstand extreme temperatures.

3. Green-Glaucous Bamboo

Types of Bamboos to Grow in Containers & Indoors 3
online.bruns.de

Botanical Name: Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens

The Green Glaucous is one of the fastest growing bamboo, which helps it to create a grove-like plantation for privacy around the house or garden. The Green Glaucous is best known for its canes that emerge with a deep emerald green hue and, with time, finally mature into yellowish-green.

The canes of these bamboos are fully striped and white along with the nodes, and their foliage is medium, elongated, and wide.

Here are the Best Places in Home to Keep Lucky Bamboo

4. Chilean Bamboo

Botanical Name: Chusquea culeou

Looking for Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens? Chilean Bamboo is found in Argentina, Valdivia, Chile, and other parts of South America. These are known to stand frost and are grown in temperate areas.

The flowers from the Chilean bamboo are light brownish, and the plant has been known to bloom for 60 years.

5. Buddha Bamboo

jerry-coleby-williams

Botanical Name: Bambusa vulgaris ‘wamin”

Buddha Bamboo is another type in this category primarily used for ornamental use. This is native to China, and its unique lumps node, similar to Buddha’s belly, has given it the name.
These grow very well in containers with moist and fertile soil, earning them a place in our Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens list.
Note: You should note that when this plant bulges, it should be kept without excess fertilizer in completely dry soil.

Check out Fantastic Landscaping with Bamboo Ideas here

6. Umbrella Bamboo

Types of Bamboos to Grow in Containers & Indoors 6

Botanical Name: Fargesia murielae

This cute, non-invasive bamboo fits indoors and is adaptable to almost all temperatures. It has greenish-yellow canes, which are long with slender leaves, and its foliage is greyish-green.
Wondering how tall does bamboo grow? Umbrella Bamboo grows rapidly and in clumps, most spread around 4 to 5 feet in width, and grows well in partial shade.

7. Guadua Bamboo

Botanical Name: Guadua

Growing bamboo indoors? Guadua is a type of thorny bamboo primarily found in Uruguay and Northern Mexico. This bamboo is important since it is one of the main raw materials for constructing houses in the coastal regions and an excellent building material.

The Guadua Bamboo performs exceptionally well since it has multiple watershed protection attributes.

8. Japanese Arrow Bamboo

Types of Bamboos to Grow in Containers & Indoors 9
floragardenbeauty

Botanical Name: Pseudosasa japonica

Japanese Arrow Bamboo grows best in Japan and parts of Korea, which is how it got its name. This bamboo can withstand extremely low temperatures and thrives well in complete or partial shade, with its leaves shaped like a palm tree.

Leaves of this bamboo usually grow up to 5 to 13 inches and have a beautiful yellowish-brown color.

Here are Japanese Garden Plants You Can Grow Indoors

9. Timber Bamboo

Types of Bamboos to Grow in Containers & Indoors 9
shutterstock/Peter Turner Photography

Botanical Name: Bambusa oldhamii

This bamboo is grown for its timber and has smooth and glossy canes. Native to China, these have an emerald green color which eventually fades to yellowish-green upon aging.

Timber Bamboo grow well in full sun and requires consistently moist soil, and are low maintenance Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens.

10. Chinese Dwarf Bamboo

Botanical Name: Bambusa multiplex

Chinese Dwarf bamboo, also known as Bambusa multiplex, is ideal for growing in indoor containers. So how tall does bamboo grow? This bamboo is a great option for small spaces or for use as a houseplant due to its small height of 10-12 feet.

Definitely among the best Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens, the Chinese Dwarf is low maintenance and adaptable.

11. Female Bamboo

staticflickr

Botanical Name: Bambusa balcooa

Female Bamboo refers to a specific type of bamboo that solely produces female flowers and does not bear seeds. Gardeners and bamboo enthusiasts commonly use the term “female bamboo” to describe this unique characteristic of seedlessness and the need for rhizome propagation to propagate it.

Don’t know how to grow bamboo indoors? Choose a female bamboo and dive right into it. Female bamboos are beneficial indoors and in containers as you can control the spread of the bamboo and keep it contained within a specific area.

Love indoor plants? Check out Tiny Nook Made into a Mini Garden Indoors Ideas here

12. Black Bamboo

Types of Bamboos to Grow in Containers & Indoors 12

Botanical Name: Phyllostachys nigra

Black bamboo stands out with its striking black stems and lush green foliage. People widely cultivate this bamboo because it is relatively fast-growing. Its captivating appearance and growth characteristics make it a popular choice among gardeners and landscapers.

It does not take over an area like invasive bamboo and is cherished by gardeners among Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens. 

13. River Cane Bamboo

Botanical Name: Arundinaria gigantea

Perfect for indoor privacy screens, the River Cane bamboo is native to the southeastern United States, particularly in the Mississippi River Valley. Like most indoor bamboo, this one also has a clumping habit and amazing green stems with a bluish hue.

You can easily grow it in containers and gardens as these have a height of 6-15 feet.

14. Golden Bamboo

thomasdstone

Botanical Name: Phyllostachys aurea

Growing bamboo from seed? Also known as Fishpole bamboo, Golden Bamboo exhibits long, slender stems that are often used for fishing poles. It is easily grown from seeds. This bamboo possesses a smooth, glossy appearance and is widely cultivated for its ornamental and decorative value.

In some Asian countries, the young shoots of this bamboo are edible and highly sought after.

Here are the Top Bamboo Planting Tips you need to know

15. Wang Tsai Bamboo

Types of Bamboos to Grow in Containers & Indoors 15

Botanical Name: Bambusa multiplex ‘Wang Tsai’

A versatile option for indoor gardening, the Wang Tsai bamboo has low humidity needs and can survive in dry indoor conditions with proper watering.

An attractive species among Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens, the culms of Wang Tsai bamboo are thin, green, and have a yellow stripe, and the leaves are small and delicate, providing a lush and unique appearance.

16. Burmese Bamboo

Botanical Name: Bambusa polymorpha

Burmese bamboo is a small to medium-sized bamboo renowned for its adaptability to indoor conditions, making it an excellent choice for indoor gardening. You can easily grow it in containers, enhancing its appeal for indoor spaces.

Burmese bamboo thrives best with indirect sunlight and well-drained soil. Burmese bamboo growing zones are 8-11.

17. Fernleaf Bamboo

Botanical Name: Bambusa multiplex

Another among Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens, the Fernleaf bamboo has stems that are thin and delicate and are typically green or yellow in color.

Growing bamboo in pots? This one is your best bet. You can maintain the bamboo with little effort, and it flourishes when it prefers indirect sunlight and well-drained soil.

18. Yellow Groove Bamboo

Types of Bamboos to Grow in Containers & Indoors 18

Botanical Name: Phyllostachys aureosulcata ‘Spectabilis’

Yellow groove bamboo, named for the distinctive yellow groove running along its culms, is an enchanting bamboo variety that adds a touch of elegance to any landscape. With its tall and upright growth, this bamboo stands out as a striking focal point in gardens and outdoor spaces.

Yellow groove bamboo is a fast-growing plant, making it a popular choice for those looking to establish a beautiful bamboo screen. Growing up 15-25 feet, this bamboo is perfect for gardens or containers.

Check out our article on growing Lucky Bamboo here 

19. Temple Bamboo

Botanical Name: Semiarundinaria fastuosa

This bamboo grows well in confined spaces like containers, making it ideal for patios and small yards. Its tall, sturdy stems with lush green leaves create an elegant and serene atmosphere.

Taking care of Temple Bamboo is quite easy. It thrives in well-draining soil and requires moderate watering.

20. Blue Fountain Bamboo

bambusariumkrakow

Botanical Name: Fargesia nitida

The captivating beauty of Blue Fountain Bamboo lies in its unique blue-green hue and delicate, cascading foliage. This bamboo creates a mesmerizing fountain-like effect, swaying gracefully in the breeze.

Blue Fountain is one of the Bamboos to Grow in Containers and Gardens and is well-suited for growing in containers, as its compact size allows it to thrive in limited spaces. It adds a touch of charm to containers, decks, or gardens.

Learn about Growing Nandina Domestica in Pots here

21. Albostriata Bamboo

wikipedia

Botanical Name: Sasaella masamuneana ‘Albostriata’

Albostriata Bamboo steals the show with its striking appearance. Beautiful creamy-white stripes adorn the green leaves, creating a captivating contrast. It brightens up containers and gardens, becoming a focal point wherever you plant it.

Its compact size allows it to fit well in smaller spaces. Albostriata bamboo growing zones are 7a-11.

22. Kuril Bamboo

mymtakiko

Botanical Name: Sasa kurilensis

Kuril Bamboo is a great pick for growing bamboo in pots, offering a simple and natural beauty. Its vibrant green leaves and gently arching stems create a lush and inviting atmosphere. This bamboo adapts well to containers, making it an ideal choice for patios or balconies.

It can also be planted in garden beds to add a touch of serenity. Kuril Bamboo’s low-maintenance nature makes it an excellent option for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.

How Long Does Lucky Bamboo Live? Find out


FAQs

1. How Fast Does Bamboo Grow?

Wondering how fast does bamboo grow in a day? Bamboo can grow quite fast, with some species able to grow up to 3 feet (about 1 meter) in just one day under ideal conditions.

2. How to Grow Bamboo? Can Bamboo Grow in Water?

To grow bamboo, you need to plant the bamboo rhizomes (underground stems) in well-draining soil and provide adequate sunlight and water regularly. It’s important to control its spread as bamboo can be invasive. Wondering how deep bamboo roots grow?

Bamboo roots can grow as deep as 2 to 3 feet (about 0.6 to 0.9 meters) in the soil. If you’re thinking of growing bamboo in water, no, bamboo cannot grow in water alone. It requires soil or a suitable growing medium for its roots to establish and obtain nutrients.

Here are 12 Famous Lucky Bamboo Styles & Varieties You Should Know

3. Where Does Bamboo Grow?

Bamboo can grow in various parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. It thrives in diverse climates, ranging from tropical to temperate regions.

4. How Long Does It Take for Bamboo to Grow?

The time it takes for bamboo to reach its full height varies depending on the species and environmental conditions. Some bamboo species can reach their maximum height in a few months, while others may take several years to achieve their full growth potential.

Why is My Lucky Bamboo Turning Yellow and How to Save It Check out Here

Recent Posts

Join our 3 Million Followers:

2.6MFollowers
300kFans
69kSubscribers

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here