1. Don’t buy seeds.
Bamboo seldom flowers. Temperate bamboo typically flowers in 75 year cycles. These seeds have a very limited viability and poor seed set. Bamboo need very exact conditions to propagate by seeds and the likelihood the seeds are still capable of growth is low. It should also be noted that many bamboo seeds you find online are imported from out of the country, this is prohibited by federal law.
2. Pick the Right Species for your climate
Make sure that you select a species cold hardy enough for your climate and application. Bamboo plants start receiving foliar damage about 10 degrees outside of their cold hardiness range. Selecting a species a little more cold hardy can allow you to enjoy bamboo as an evergreen. Also containers and the earth don’t provide the same amount of insulation. If you are planting in containers, make sure that you get a species recommend to survive a zone colder than your climate zone. Enter your zipcode into our Bamboo Finder for the right recommendations for your climate.
3. Decide how to contain your bamboo.
A little for thought will go a long way. Bamboo is a beautiful plant but some species spread quickly. It doesn’t take but a little bit of effort and you can keep even the most aggressive species of bamboo contained. Click here to learn more about controlling bamboo.