Bamboo is a member of the grass family Poaceae, known for its remarkable growth rate, making it a popular ornamental plant. It can grow in Illinois, provided a gardener selects the correct cold-tolerant species and is prepared for significant management. The plant’s aggressive growth habit in the temperate climate presents horticultural and legal challenges for homeowners.
Illinois Climate Suitability
The primary factor determining bamboo’s survival in Illinois is its tolerance for winter temperatures, which often dip below freezing for extended periods. Illinois spans USDA Hardiness Zones 5a/5b in the north to 6a/6b in the south. Most temperate bamboos are rated for Zone 5, meaning they can survive minimum winter temperatures down to -20°F, though the above-ground canes may suffer dieback.
Even cold-hardy species like Phyllostachys bissetii or Phyllostachys aureosulcata may lose their leaves or have their culms killed during severe winters. Natural snow cover provides beneficial insulation, protecting the underground rhizomes from the deepest cold. Gardeners can replicate this effect by applying a thick layer of mulch around the plant base to ensure the root mass survives and sends up new shoots in the spring.
Running Versus Clumping Varieties
The most important distinction for anyone planting bamboo is the growth habit of the two main types, determined by their underground structure. Running bamboo, represented by the genus Phyllostachys, uses monopodial or leptomorph rhizomes that grow horizontally and aggressively away from the parent plant. These spreading rhizomes can travel many feet in a single growing season before sending up new canes, which is why this type is often considered invasive.
Clumping bamboo, primarily species in the genus Fargesia, develops sympodial rhizomes that are short, thick, and curve upward to form new culms close to the original plant. This results in a tight, compact footprint that expands slowly, typically only a few inches annually. Cold-hardy clumping varieties like Fargesia nitida (Umbrella Bamboo) are well-suited for smaller yards and containers because they remain manageable without physical barriers.
Essential Containment Strategies
Due to the invasive nature of running bamboo, containment is mandatory to prevent it from spreading beyond the intended planting area. The most effective method involves installing a physical, non-permeable root barrier around the perimeter. This barrier should be made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) material, with a recommended thickness of at least 60 to 80 mil to resist puncture.
The barrier must be installed vertically into a trench 24 to 30 inches deep, as the rhizomes tend to grow in the top 18 to 24 inches of soil. A critical component is leaving a two-to-four-inch lip of the barrier exposed above the soil line. This exposed lip ensures that any rhizomes attempting to grow over the top are diverted back toward the center. Annual inspection and pruning of any rhizomes found near the surface or attempting to cross the exposed barrier lip are necessary maintenance tasks.
Local Ordinances and Neighbor Concerns
The aggressive spread of running bamboo has led many Illinois municipalities to regulate or ban its planting entirely. Cities like Champaign, for example, have adopted ordinances that prohibit the planting of new running bamboo specimens within city limits. Existing plantings are often allowed to remain only under strict conditions that mandate effective containment to prevent encroachment onto adjacent public or private property.
Homeowners should always consult their local city or county ordinances before planting any running bamboo species to avoid mandatory removal and potential fines. If a running variety is planted and its rhizomes cross a property line, the original planter is liable for any damage or the cost of removal from the neighbor’s yard. This potential for neighbor disputes and legal action makes the selection of a non-invasive clumping variety a safer choice for most residential settings.