Growing Bamboo in Small Gardens: Clumping, Running, and Container Tips

Bamboo is amazing—few plants provide such an elegant screen for unsightly views while requiring very little horizontal space. The plethora of varieties, sizes, colors, and growth habits ensures a bamboo for almost any garden.

However, bamboo has a bad reputation in small spaces. Many gardeners fear its alarming growth rate. But bamboo can be safely incorporated into home gardens—even smaller ones—with the right techniques, understanding of growth patterns, and variety selection. Bamboo is technically a woody grass; it rarely flowers and expands by sending out underground stems called rhizomes. The extent of rhizome production and distance from the main plant distinguishes the two types: clumping and running.

With forethought, bamboo can be one of the lowest-maintenance, hardest-working plants in your plot. Here are considerations and tips for planning bamboo in your garden.

Clumping Bamboo

Clumping bamboo is a noninvasive grower with compact, nonspreading culms (stems). Well-suited to smaller spaces due to manageable mature size (most varieties top out at 8–16 feet in temperate climates) and compact growth habit. These plants have slimmer culms and resemble a bamboo hedge. Clumping bamboo doesn't require containment and flourishes in various small garden situations.

Tip: Fargesia bamboo is one of the best clumping species for small gardens, faring well in various light conditions. My favorite is low-maintenance Fargesia robusta, reaching 14 feet maximum in temperate climates. It's also the panda-preferred variety—sadly not taken advantage of where I live!

Integration Design Studio, Landscape Architects

Running Bamboo

Running bamboo spreads vigorously, requiring more planning and oversight for small gardens. But it shouldn't be ruled out. Running bamboo's thicker, well-spaced culms provide landscape flexibility. Side branches can be removed to reveal often-colorful culms and allow views through a bamboo bank to surrounding garden. Removing branches also works well when planted against a wall, where shadows of stripped culms add drama and year-round interest.

Tip: For running bamboo in small gardens, favorites are Phyllostachys nigra (black bamboo) and Phyllostachys aurea (golden bamboo) due to slow growth and stunning culm coloring. Golden bamboo works well against dark backdrops; black bamboo contrasts beautifully with lighter plantings.

Aloe Designs

Growing Bamboo in a Container

Containing root growth is a major concern with running bamboo. Some running bamboo flourishes in containers. Because the plant is aboveground and often surrounded by hardscape, all growth concentrates within the contained space. Ensure the container is well irrigated, or leaves may brown.

Tip: Bamboo doesn't tolerate drought well, so automated irrigation systems ensure regular watering.

In-Ground Bamboo with Root Barrier

Running bamboo can grow inground but requires a root barrier to prevent spread. Bamboo barrier (rhizome barrier) is thick plastic sheeting sunk at least 3 feet into the ground surrounding the plants, with a couple inches protruding above ground. Rhizomes redirect into the designated area, protecting the surrounding garden. River rock around the base conceals the barrier and complements architectural culms.

The New York Botanical Garden

Vertical Space Considerations

Running bamboo is taller than clumping, so consider available vertical space. Height can be controlled by cutting out overly tall culms at the base, leaving shorter surrounding culms to fill in.

Tip: Never "top" bamboo plants—they develop unsightly pom-pom-like leaf masses at the cut point, compromising the graceful natural form.

Since bamboo is flexible, taller specimens often lean under top branch weight, causing issues in tight spaces. Manage bending bamboo with a ladder system of dried bamboo upright supports attached to horizontal rungs.