Bamboo is a sought-after plant for creating natural privacy screens, adding tropical aesthetics, or incorporating a lively green element indoors. Its rapid growth and evergreen nature make it popular for immediate impact in a garden or home setting. Navigating the market requires understanding where to find it, the specific variety, and the health characteristics needed for a successful purchase. This guide covers reliable purchasing sources and the knowledge needed to select the right specimen.
Retail Locations for Purchase
The search for bamboo often begins at specialized nurseries or large retail chains. Specialized bamboo nurseries offer the largest selection of species, including common and rare varieties. Their staff typically possesses deep horticultural expertise, allowing buyers to receive tailored advice on species suitability, climate resilience, and proper containment methods.
Dedicated nurseries often sell more established plants in larger container sizes, leading to a higher initial price point. Conversely, large home improvement or big box stores provide convenience and competitive pricing. The selection at these retailers is usually limited to the most common, often clumping, varieties. Staff may not be able to offer detailed, species-specific care instructions.
Another option is purchasing through specialized online bamboo vendors who ship plants directly from their farms. This offers a vast selection, often including cold-hardy or tropical species not available locally. When buying online, research the vendor’s reputation and shipping guarantee. Factor in the cost of delivery, as the size and weight of the plant can lead to substantial shipping fees. Buyers must also be prepared to receive a plant that may be stressed from transit and require immediate attention upon arrival.
Choosing Between Running and Clumping Bamboo
Understanding the plant’s growth habit is the most important consideration, as bamboo falls into two categories: running and clumping. Running bamboo, scientifically termed monopodial, spreads aggressively via long, horizontal underground stems called leptomorph rhizomes. These rhizomes travel great distances, sending up new canes (culms) far from the original plant. This necessitates installing a non-penetrable root barrier for containment.
This growth pattern makes running bamboo a concern for neighboring properties or infrastructure if not properly managed. Clumping bamboo (sympodial) is characterized by short, thick pachymorph rhizomes that curve upward immediately. This forms new culms close to the parent plant, resulting in a tight, contained footprint that expands slowly outward.
Clumping varieties are non-invasive, making them suitable for small urban gardens, containers, or situations requiring limited spread. Species like Bambusa multiplex are popular clumping choices. Many cold-hardy temperate varieties belong to the running genus Phyllostachys. For indoor or container gardening, clumping bamboo is almost always the preferred and safer choice.
Inspecting Plant Health Before Purchase
Regardless of the retail source, carefully inspect the plant’s condition to ensure a healthy start. Examine the culms; they should be firm, vibrant, and free of significant damage or deep cracks. Avoid plants with soft or mushy culms near the base, which indicates root rot or a fungal infection.
The foliage should be a rich, consistent green color without widespread yellowing or brown leaf margins. These often signify nutrient deficiency or environmental stress, such as scorching from direct sun exposure. Minor leaf yellowing or tip browning is common, especially on older leaves or those stressed by a recent move. However, excessive discoloration across the entire plant signals poor health.
If possible, gently examine the root system by sliding the plant partially out of its container to look for healthy, light-colored roots. The roots should not appear black, slimy, or completely matted into a hard, dense block, which indicates the plant is severely pot-bound. Finally, check the undersides of the leaves and the joints of the culms for common pests. Look for cottony masses from scale insects or fine webbing from spider mites, and avoid any plant showing active signs of infestation.