Dense bamboo forests are evidence of how left to grow, the rhizomes of bamboo will spread out, forcing more bamboo shoots to the surface. Much like Lily of Valley, it can be difficult to control the spread of bamboo rhizomes and to remove them. There is a clumping variety of bamboo though that does not spread. The clump variety of bamboo is best suited for potting and for growing indoors.
Bamboo Potted in Water
Planted in water with small pebbles to support it, this type of bamboo looks diminutive in its decorative container setting on a table top, mantel or shelf. For the best start, buy the bamboo already potted, which means the roots have established. One popular small variety is Lucky Bamboo. The potted bamboo will have three to five canes of varying heights strapped together near the base for support. Inserted into a compact planter, the bamboo is held in place with tiny pebbles or aquarium stone. The planter is then filled with water.
Bamboo can handle just about any sunlight level your home has. Place the potted bamboo in a location with anywhere from filtered light all the way to full sun.
Drain and refill the pot with fresh water weekly. Distilled or filtered water at room temperature can be used. If you use tap water, place about half a cup of water in a container the day before you change the pot’s water to allow time for some chemical additives to evaporate. To empty the pot, place your fingers over the opening to hold the bamboo in place and to keep the pebbles from falling out. Tip the pot sideways and allow the water to drain out. Refill with water.
Bamboo planted in water grows much slower than bamboo planted in dirt.
Bamboo Potted in Dirt
Purchase potted bamboo from your local nursery or home and garden center. Varieties like Chusquea coronalis and Bambusa multiplex will grow three to four feet tall. Hibanobambusa tranquillans and Otatea acuminata will grow 10 to 12 feet tall. The tallest varieties of bamboo that can reach 18 to 20 feet in height include Bambusa oldhamii and Gigantochloa atroviolacea.
To allow growing space, the pot or planter you choose should be twice as wide as and one and a half times deeper than the nursery container. The planter needs to have drain holes. Remove the bamboo from the nursery container and place into the planter you have chosen so the top of the plant is about two inches below the top of the planter. Check to see how far down the plant reaches and then pull it out to add dirt to the bottom of the pot. Include about 25% peat moss in your dirt mixture. Set the plant on top the newly added dirt and then fill in the sides of the planter with more dirt and peat moss. Water thoroughly.
Bamboo likes moist soil, so water regularly. Plant spikes from your nursery or home and garden center can be added for fertilizer or you can use a nitrogen rich liquid fertilizer
Potted bamboo grows fast and may become root bound. Once root bound the bamboo will either need to be moved to a larger pot, or you can cut back about one-third of the roots and replant in fresh dirt in the same container. Prune as needed.
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Source: GrowBambooHouseplant
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