Bamboo Plant – The World’s Fastest Growing Grass with Endless Benefits

Are you looking for a plant that grows fast, looks stunning, and offers endless benefits? Stop looking any further and say hello to the Bamboo Plant. 

This fastest-growing multifaceted green is unbelievably flexible and versatile. It is a perfect indoor plant for establishing fresh, calming corners and creating stunning landscapes or a privacy screen in outdoor living areas. 

Besides the ineffable presence and easy maintenance, it also purifies the surrounding air and serves many ornamental and ecological benefits. Its hardy yet elegant stalks are believed to bring health, harmony, and prosperity, and shower your house with beauty and balance. 

Delve into this article to uncover fascinating facts, care tips, creative ways to include them in your life, and more. 

Bamboo at a Glance: Origin, History & Global Presence

The scientific name of this genus is Bambusa vulgaris and is often referred to as ‘World’s Green Gold’. It is a woody perennial belonging to the grass family Poaceae.

Believed to have thrived for millions of years, with fossils and records tracing its presence in the prehistoric era, it is native to tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. It is commonly found in Asia, Africa, South America, the southern United States, and a few areas of Australia.

It has been significant for ages and used extensively across many cultures for practical uses and traditional symbolisms. 

• These leafy marbles are highly valued in Chinese culture and are associated with strength, resilience, flexibility, and longevity. It also appears in their manuscripts, art, and architecture as one of the ‘Four Gentlemen’ of flora and fauna.

• The Japanese consider them sacred and plant them around Shinto shrines to drive off the evil spirits. It is symbolic of purity and protection in their culture.

• Known as the ‘poor man’s timber’ in India, these species are widespread and used extensively in homes, tools, rituals, crafts, and food. 

• In South America and Africa, it represents a connection with nature and sustainable living. It is used for housing, construction, food, craft, and medicines, symbolizing resourcefulness and resilience. 

Beyond its versatile uses, it has become a popular choice among plant lovers and gardeners globally. Modern-day uses adhere to growing bamboo in pots, which makes it a statement decor element, offering health benefits such as air purification and natural calm.

 What does Bamboo Symbolize?

These natural wonders are more than just a fast-growing plant – they carry spiritual, cultural, and deeper symbolic meaning across the world. Its evergreen presence and functionality have made it a universal symbol for positivity and resilience. 

Here’s what you can convey through Bamboo without using words.

• Good Luck & Prosperity: It represents wealth, abundance, and prosperity, making it a perfect gift for new beginnings.

• Health & Longevity: The evergreen, flexible habit of these greens symbolises vitality and longevity.

• Peace & Harmony: Upright stance and lush leaves of these species promote a certain calming essence, making it ideal for expressing peace and balance.

• New Beginnings: If you want to wish growth and stability, this plant is a perfect gesture symbolising fresh starts and new beginnings. 

In Feng Shui, Bamboos attract wealth, positivity, and health, especially when placed in the southeast corner of your homes or offices. 

These low-light indoor plants not only shower you with positivity, but also help you to elevate your home decor without having to spend extensively. 

The Hidden Meaning Behind Bamboo Stalk Counts

According to Chinese traditions, the number of stalks in Lucky Bamboo carries special meaning. These are varieties of the dracaena plant, admired for both beauty and meaning. 

	2 Stalks mean love and harmony.
	3 Stalks mean happiness, wealth, and long life.
	5 Stalks mean balance, peace, harmony, and power in all areas of life.
	8 Stalks represent growth.
	9 Stalks mean great luck.
	21 stalks means powerful blessings.

So whether you choose a simple arrangement or a dense display, growing bamboo in containers allows you to bring beauty and blessings into your space with every stalk you choose. 

Planting Bamboo – Practical Uses & Benefits

The aesthetic appeal of these leafy greens makes your homes, lawns, and balcony gardens look more attractive and one-of-a-kind. But what makes them a crown jewel in the botanical world?

It is found to be effective in balancing all five elements of nature — earth, wind, fire, water, and wood. According to Guinness World Records, it holds the position of one of the fastest-growing plants in the world.

Read about the benefits of these species below and discover why it is such an amazing verdure.

Fast-Growing & Low Maintenance

Do you know how long does it take for Bamboo to grow? You will be surprised to know they can grow up to 35 inches in a day, that’s about 1.45 inches per hour. Moreover, they perform under minimal care and attention, making them a garden hero, enabling remote work plant care.

Environmental Benefits

It improves outdoor and indoor air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing more oxygen, in comparison with other greens. Besides, these greens are beneficial in conserving water and soil due to their dense roots and rhizomes.

Health and Nutrition Benefits

In many cultures, it is acknowledged as a medicinal plant. It is abundant in various properties, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients, which are effective in curing digestive, skin, and respiratory issues, reducing inflammation, and boosting immunity. 

Adding to the above, rich nutrient content also makes it popular in many culinary practices, especially in Asian cuisine.

Industrial and Commercial Uses

These species are widely used in industrial and commercial industries, such as textiles, paper, construction, timber, wood, utensils, and biomass.

As per Future Market Insight reports, the Bamboo market is likely to reach USD 20.3 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 10.9%.

Despite being non-pollination-friendly, they do serve ecological and sustainable benefits, allowing many animals to seek food and shelter. With these countless benefits, it is truly a garden pearl—less demanding but highly rewarding.

Do You Know?

Bamboo only flowers once in its lifetime. These species follow gregarious flowering, meaning all the plants of the same species, regardless of their geographical location, flower at the same time. Isn’t it mysterious?

Explore Popular Varieties of Bamboo for Your Garden

This leafy marvel comprises more than 115 genera and 1400 species, as stated in Britannica, but not all cultivars are suitable for growing in your home. 

They are broadly classified into two main types: Clumping Bamboos (ones with roots that grow into clumps) and Running Bamboos (ones with an underground stem that sprouts new growth).

Here are a few varieties of Bamboo to grow outside and inside your home.

1. Buddha Belly Bamboo

It is a clumping, non-invasive cultivar with swollen internodes that resembles a ‘Buddha’s Belly’, making it an excellent choice for privacy screens, hedges, and windbreaks.

Botanical Name:	Bambusa Ventricosa
Hardiness:	9-12 USDA
Size:	30-55 feet tall

2. Golden Bamboo

An evergreen running cultivar with upright growth and woody hollow stems that turn golden yellow with age. They are widely used for ornamental gardens, fencing, and hedging.

Botanical Name:	Phyllostachys aurea
Hardiness:	6-10 USDA
Size:	30 feet tall and 25 feet spread.

3. Dwarf Green Stripe Bamboo

Similar to a few cultivars of money plant, it is also prized for its yellow-green leaves with stripes. This running variety is extensively used for ground cover, accent planting, hedges, and container gardening.

Botanical Name:	Pleioblastus viridistria
Hardiness:	6a-11 USDA
Size:	2-4 feet tall

4. Fern Leaf Bamboo

This clumping variety features dense growth of small clumps with soft and feathery fern-like leaves with an airy texture. It is widely used for ornamental gardens, hedging, and privacy screens.

Botanical Name:	Bambusa Multiplex ‘Fernleaf’
Hardiness:	7-10 USDA
Size:	10-20 feet tall

5. Black Bamboo

It is an invasive running cultivar that gets its name from olive green canes that turn jet black at around 2–3 years of age. They are popular for container gardening, hedging, and privacy screens.

Botanical Name:	Phyllostachys nigra
Hardiness:	7-11 USDA
Size:	15-25 feet tall

6. Umbrella Bamboo

Known for its arching umbrella-like growth and dense clumps of foliage with blue shoots, this clumping and shade-loving plant is easy to contain and perfect for your gardens. But its care needs are similar to Bonsai Bamboo plant care, both being resistant to extreme heat and dryness.

Botanical Name:	Fargesia murieliae
Hardiness:	5-9 USDA
Size:	10-14 feet tall

These are a handful of picks among a whole lot of other varieties. Choose your favourite cultivar and uplift your boring gardens into a stunning green outdoor sanctuary.

Are you wondering how to take care of a Bamboo plant? Do not worry, a detailed care guide is provided in our next section for your perusal.

How to Grow Bamboo? A Complete Care Guide

Before buying these leafy wonders, you must stay informed about how to take care of Bamboo, where does Bamboo grow, how to plant Bamboo, and Bamboo growth rate.

Here’s a complete care guide to ensure happy and lush greenery.

Hardiness	They survive in 5-10 USDA zones.
Timing	It can be planted anytime in milder climates. In colder climates, you can plant them outdoors early enough for them to harden off and survive the first frost.
Spacing	Depending on their size, you should place the running varieties 3-5 meters apart and the clumping ones at least 1-3 meters apart.
Light	They usually thrive under bright indirect light, as direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. Although many species, like Phyllostachys edulis or nigra, need direct sunlight for 6-8 hours.
Water	Water them when the topsoil appears dry. During extreme heat, ensure to water them daily, but in normal weather, watering 2-3 times a week is sufficient.
Soil	Well-draining sandy, loamy, or clay soil with a neutral to acidic pH level ranging from 5-6.5.
Fertilizer	Feed them 2–3 times during their growing phase, usually in spring and summer. Nitrogen grass fertilizers with a 20-5-10 or 10-5-5 ratio are best suited to them.
Pruning	Chopping off the old, weak, and yellowing clumps promotes dense and new growth. Pruning helps to contain the growth in case of invasive varieties.
Repotting	It is essential to repot or divide the clumps every 5–10 years to maintain growth and vigour.
Over-Wintering	Add a layer of mulch around the base to protect them from frost and wind. Establishing a grove or covering the ground with a layer of leaves keeps the soil soft when the surrounding soil is hard and frosty.

Follow this guideline to enjoy the infinite benefits of this botanical wonder. You can pair them with other greens like Japanese Maple trees, Ferns, or Hostas for a heavenly retreat-like ambience.

How to Propagate a Bamboo Plant Successfully?

Once you have learned the optimal care process, it’s time to address the most asked query — how to grow Bamboo plant?

Propagating these leafy marvels is simple and handy. The three ways to multiply them are via seeds, tissue culture, and using plant parts like rhizomes, branches, or culms.

The most accepted and reliable modes of propagating them are through branch cutting. Take a look at how you can use the cuttings to grow new Bambusa.

1. Take a Cutting

Select a healthy culm and cut the primary branches to about 30 cm in size. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 nodes and the basal swell.

2. Rooting Hormone

Dip the cutting in a rooting hormone for 24 hours and seal the top cut portion with wax to prevent desiccation.

3. Plant the Cutting

Place the cuttings vertically into grow bags or raised beds, ensuring the rhizomatous swelling and at least one node is suppressed beneath the soil and one or two nodes above the soil.

4. Water & Light

Place the embedded cuttings under dappled shade and ensure to keep the soil moistened at this phase. You can use the moisture meter to check the dryness of the soil and water accordingly.

5. Wait for Sprouting

The first rooting and sprouting may appear after 3-5 weeks after planting. You should leave them in the grow bags for another 6 months to a year, until the roots are fully developed.

Once the roots are developed and intact, your new plant is ready to be shifted outdoors. The best time to propagate them is before the arrival of winter, when the ground soil is mild and the cuttings can get plenty of water.

Identifying and Solving Common Bamboo Issues

Usually, these green golds are not susceptible to pests and diseases in comparison to their other cousins, like Pink Muhly Grass, or Erianthus. But prevention is better than cure because it’s easier to prevent Bamboo diseases than to cure them once they take hold.

Here are a few challenges, along with related solutions, that they might face.

	Cause: Round fungal spots like rust appear on older plants, especially in humid climates. Fix: Consider culling the old plants to encourage younger new shoots. Also, using copper-based fungicides helps resolve this issue.
	Cause: This virus is acquired in nursery settings, where it is transmitted from the blades of pruning tools. It caused discoloration and the leaves to die back. Fix: Try pruning the discolored and spent portions.
	Cause: Various pests like aphids, mealybugs, or scale infest the leaves and cause sooty mold. Fix: You can get rid of fungus and gnats by washing them off with water, applying insecticidal soaps, or neem oil, and solutions.
	Cause: Root rot is caused by the accumulation of excess water in the soil. Fix: Ensure the container has proper drainage and water them abruptly after checking the topsoil dryness.
	Cause: The yellowing of leaves happens due to a lack of nutrients, improper watering, and insufficient sunlight. Fix: Place the plants under bright indirect light and feed them with balanced nitrogen fertilizers on a timely basis. Also, water them accurately.

Monitor your plants and look for these symptoms. If any, try using the above remedies to wipe them off, allowing them to shine and flourish.

Wrapping Up the Bamboo Plant Journey

Praised for its widespread uses and ornamental appeal from ancient times to modern day, it truly makes the Bamboo plant a botanical heirloom and nature’s crown jewel.

Being the world’s fastest growers, these species have profound uses and applications in almost all sectors. From contributing to medicines, wildlife, commercial industries, and cuisines to serving major ecological purposes, 

Bamboos are true givers. Besides, they are highly versatile and adapt to numerous landscape settings, whether indoors or outdoors, bringing enormous fortune, prosperity, wealth, and harmony to your lives.

Take this article as a guide on your journey to planting nature’s green gold and experience the joy.