Bamboo is an excellent container plant. It provides an upright, evergreen screen for many applications. We have developed a specialized container for growing bamboo called the Sugi Bamboo Planter, as our flagship offering (60" x 24"). Other options include galvanized metal stock tanks, cedar boxes, and large fabric pots (Root Pouch).  

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The following are key points to consider for long term health and maintenance:

Smaller runners will generally grow better in containers than larger ones; clumpers can do very well in containers but they need partial shade to stay healthy. Good runners for containers include Pseudosasa japonica, Phyllostachys aureosulcata, P. nigra, and P. aurea. For clumping bamboo, most Fargesia will make a nice container plant, with a fountain shaped plume of foliage. Groundcovers like Sasa make nice short, bushy container accents. The Fargesia and most of the Sasa will definitely need afternoon shade, or the leaves will burn. Use well draining potting soil and make sure the container has good drainage at the bottom.

Expected height/culm diameter  

Restricted root space = restricted height & smaller diameter. In general, the expected height would be 1/2 to 3/4 of the maximum height. For example,

Black Bamboo (a Running Bamboo) can grow over 30 feet tall in the ground but often won't top 15 feet when grown in a container. Clumping Bamboo will often achieve 10 feet in a planter, as opposed to 12 to 15 feet in the ground. Clumping Bamboo are shade loving.

Hardiness: 

Bamboo grown in containers are less hardy than if grown in the ground. Container bamboos, especially those that are not well adapted to hot sun and cold winters, require more care in placement, as they can be damaged if the pot overheats or freezes. A bamboo hardy to 0 F in the ground may suffer cold damage at 10F when grown in a container. The larger the container, the more cold hardy your bamboo will be.

Watering: 

We recommend watering your containers when the top of the soil appears dry, until water comes out the drainage holes at the bottom. Always monitor your plants for signs of dehydration such as curling leaves. We often water our bamboo every day during extreme heat, but in normal weather, we water 2 to 3 times per week during the summer, or during extended dry periods. 1 to 2 gallons of water per session is usually sufficient, but this amount increases if the container is larger or the bamboo is root bound.  

Soil/Fertilizing: 

Bamboo is happiest in a neutral to slightly acidic, well draining but moisture retentive potting soil. We recommend fertilizing 3x per growing season (Spring - Summer) with a high nitrogen grass fertilizer, for example: 20-5-10 (NPK) with added iron. We also offer an 8-2-2 organic Bamboo Fertilizer (this is a custom blend we have developed at Bamboo Garden) for mixing in with the potting soil. Always follow package directions in regards to how much & how often to apply. 

Repotting/Dividing:

Depending on the size of the container, you will need to re-pot or divide every 5-10 years to maintain optimal health & vigor of the bamboo. With our Sugi Bamboo Planters, bamboo can grow well for up to 10 years. If not maintained, root bound bamboos may escape or even break their container. Repotting/dividing is best done in the springtime. Dividing means cutting the bamboo root-mass in half and re-potting the divisions into separate containers.  Smaller divisions can be made at this time as well. With our Sugi Bamboo Planters, the bottom can be detached so that the bamboo can be pushed out from beneath which is a big advantage for ease of transplanting.

Containers: 

We recommend using our Sugi Bamboo Planter because it offers good insulation from heat and cold, and ease of maintenance because of the trapezoidal shape and Bamboo Barrier lining. If metal stock tanks are used for bamboo, we recommend insulating the inside with Bamboo Barrier. Metal stock should have extra drain holes (1/2 diameter and ~2 per square foot) as well to provide adequate drainage. We suggest placing any container on brick footings to avoid the eventual blocking of the drainage holes or degradation of the container.

Bamboo Barriers:

Bamboo rhizomes can adhere to porous surfaces, such as wood or clay. Therefore, we recommend lining any container with Bamboo Barrier to help when removing your bamboo, and to increase the life of the planter. Bamboo Barrier also provides additional insulation from heat and cold.

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Bamboo is one of the most versatile plants which was and is still being used in many countries, particularly in Asia. In fact, the history of people cultivating it can be traced back to China 7,000 years ago. As early as the 16th-11th century BC, it was used for basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, weapons, and even as musical instruments. When paper was invented, it became a popular writing medium. Indeed, Bamboo was a significant part of the lives of ancient Chinese people. No wonder, in the traditional Chinese culture, it has become a symbol of Oriental beauty as it represents the character of moral integrity, modesty, and loyalty.

Just like in Eastern Asian countries, Bamboo also has an economic and cultural significance in South Asia. For many people, this plant is considered a source of food, a durable building material, and a versatile raw product.

Characteristics of the Bamboo Plant

Bamboos which belong to the Bambusoideae subfamily of grasses are flowering perennial evergreen plants that are highly sustainable and fast-growing. In fact, some species can grow as much as 1 foot per day. Bamboo is durable, elastic, and flexible. Its stems which are also known as culms are straight and cylinder-formed. They can attain heights ranging from 4 to 6 inches in the smallest species, while they can grow up to about 130 feet in large species. Culms that are mature usually sprout leaf-bearing branches that are horizontal. The narrow leaves on the young culms, on the other hand, usually arise from the stem rings. Most bamboo plants flower and produce seeds only after 12 to 120 years’ growth.

In terms of its flavour profile, bamboo leaf tea has a mildly sweet taste that’s slightly grassy and complements most meals, whether they’re hot or cold. Bamboo leaf tea gets its taste from the process of using young leaves when harvesting the plant, and carries a slight bitterness, especially if you steep it for too long. Due to its mild taste, it can help cleanse your palate or work well mixed with other teas to create more complex flavours. Other teas we recommend trying it with include peppermint, lemon & ginger and licorice. 

Bamboo Leaf Tea Benefits

Modern Medicinal Value of Bamboo Leaf

Whilst the bamboo stem is the most utilized part of the plant, its leaves are as important as they are very nutritious and they provide users with many health benefits when they are processed to make tea which include the following:

It contains fibre

Fibre, a type of carbohydrate does not only promote regular bowel movement. It can also help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and manage blood sugar in the body.

It is a good source of Silica

Silica or quartz is one of the most common minerals in the world. Unknown to many, this compound which is popular because of its use in the textile and the technology industry is also good to the human body because of its amazing benefits. In fact, this is one of the reasons why Bamboo leaf tea is highly nutritious. Because of its silica content, it helps boost bone health, directs calcium into and out of the bones, promotes the growth of hair and nails, reduces aluminium levels in the body, and delays the sign of aging.

It helps keep the skin and joints healthy

As previously mentioned, Bamboo leaf tea delays the aging process because of silica, which is a building block of collagen. Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in the human body. It helps smooth wrinkles, boosts skin elasticity, rejuvenates the joints, and aids the production as well as the maintenance of other skin-rich proteins such as elastin, a protein that provides skin elasticity.

It can boost the immune system and promote overall health

Bamboo leaf tea is considered an effective immune system booster and anti-aging beverage not only because of its silica content, but also because of its powerful antioxidants that regenerate cells, repair cell damage, slow down the aging process, and prevent illnesses by keeping the immune system in top condition. Aside from this, it also reduces the risk of stroke, prevents the formation of blood clots in the arteries, lowers the risk of hypertension, and strengthen the body.

With all these amazing benefits, no doubt Bamboo leaf tea can truly heal from the inside. If you’re interested in exploring other ranges of herbal teas - check out the range online at Tea Life!

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