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Bamboo growing guide

A fast-growing woody grass forming tall jointed culms. Choose clumping species for gardens, as running types spread aggressively and are very hard to remove. Young shoots of several species are edible once cooked.

Photo reference

Use this real-world photo as the main plant reference, then compare it with the botanical drawings below for leaf, flower and harvest details.

Bamboo real-world photo reference (Bambusa spp.)
Wikimedia Commons · John Robert McPherson · CC BY-SA 4.0
21-60 daysGermination
730-1095 daysHarvest
150 cmSpacing
5 cmSow depth
FullSun
HardyFrost
3 cm/weekWater
5.5-7pH

Planting calendar by climate

Use these windows as a public guide. Plotera can personalise tasks around your saved garden, location and planting dates.

ClimateSowTransplant / PlantHarvest
TropicalJan - DecJan - DecJan - Dec
SubtropicalMar - MayMar - MaySep - Dec
MediterraneanMar - MayMar - MaySep - Dec
TemperateMar - MayMar - MayOct - Dec
CoolSep - NovSep - NovNov - Jan
AridMar - MayMar - MaySep - Dec

Botanical reference

Compare the whole plant first, then check the leaf, flower and harvest detail to identify what Bamboo should look like as it grows.

Bamboo whole plant

Whole plant

Overall shape, height, branching and growth habit.

Bamboo leaf detail

Leaf detail

Leaf shape, edges, colour and vein pattern.

Bamboo flower detail

Flower detail

Flower colour, structure and where blooms appear.

Bamboo harvest / detail

Harvest / detail

Fruit, root, seed, pod or the strongest identifying feature.

Cooking and eating ideas

A quick garden-to-table guide for using Bamboo after harvest.

Raw / fresh

Not eaten raw. Raw shoots of many species contain cyanogenic compounds and must be cooked first.

Cooked

Slice shoots thinly and boil in a change or two of water before stir-frying, braising or adding to curries and soups.

Store / preserve

Use fresh, freeze, dry, pickle, or preserve depending on the crop.

Good companions

No companion data yet.

Avoid near

No avoid list yet.

Growing note

Plant clumping varieties only, unless you can install a root barrier. Harvest culms from the third year, taking the oldest first. Edible shoots must be sliced and boiled before eating.

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