Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How Fast Does Bamboo Grow?
How Fast Does Bamboo Grow?. The fast-growing bamboo (Bambusa spp.) plant is an ideal choice if you want to quickly create a border or screen. Part of the grass family, most bamboo varieties grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 11. Bamboo is available in running and clumping varieties. Running varieties grow an...
The fast-growing bamboo (Bambusa spp.) plant is an ideal choice if you want to quickly create a border or screen. Part of the grass family, most bamboo varieties grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 11. Bamboo is available in running and clumping varieties. Running varieties grow an average of 3 to 5 feet taller in a year.
Root Growth
Many bamboo varieties have shallow root growth with a maximum depth of 20 to 24 inches on large tree-like plants. Running varieties spread through root rhizomes which are close to the soil surface. Clumping varieties form shallow root masses that stay in a clump.
Growth Height
Running bamboo varieties grow more quickly than clumping plants, with an average growth in height of 3 to 5 feet per year. Clumping varieties grow on average 1 to 3 feet taller per year. The timber bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii) grows an amazing 2 to 3 feet a day until it reaches 45 feet or higher.
Growth Spread
Clumping bamboo spreads very slowly and is considered non-invasive. This makes it an ideal variety for home gardens. Running bamboo generally spreads 3 to 5 feet per year, but some varieties can spread up to 15 feet per year.
Considerations
Running bamboo varieties spread quickly and are considered invasive in some areas. Prevent overgrowth and spreading by installing root barriers around the plants. Examples of root barriers include planting the bamboo in a large pot submerged into the soil or installing polyethylene sheets around the planting area to prevent root penetration.
