Golden Bamboo: 3 Best way to Grow and Care

How to Grow and Care for Golden Bamboo: There are more than a thousand plant species of which several can grow to heights of 50 feet or more in the wild. But don’t mistake the common compact houseplant known as “lucky bamboo” or the one that is frequently bundled in rocks and water for a bamboo plant; it is not. The genuine bamboo that can be grown indoors in pots is golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea). It bears short stems from canes with clusters of narrow, lance-shaped leaves. It has upright canes that are bright green but aging and exposure to sunlight cause them to turn golden.

Golden bamboo spreads widely and grows swiftly. Although you can normally plant it any time of year indoors, it grows best when planted in the spring or early fall. It is recommended to plant it in a container because it will be contained and easier to handle. It won’t get as big inside.

Common Names	Bamboo, golden bamboo, fishpole bamboo, monk’s belly bamboo, fairyland bamboo
Botanical Name	Phyllostachys aurea
Plant Type	Perennial, rhizome, grass

Can Bamboo Be Grown Indoors?

Although this plant can be cultivated inside, no one claims that cultivating bamboo inside is simple. You need a reliable container, plenty of light, and humidity to grow bamboo successfully inside. To thrive, bamboo needs at least 6 hours of light each day. Your sunniest window should have bamboo. Depending on the species, it can reach heights of 5 to 8 feet; slower development is typically associated with lower light conditions.

Pleioblastus viridistriatus, also known as dwarf green stripe bamboo, and Pseudosasa japonica, often known as arrow bamboo, are common cultivars that flourish indoors in containers. Although it normally stays around 2 1/2 feet tall indoors, dwarf green striped bamboo can grow to be 4 feet tall. Compared to most bamboo species, arrow bamboo grows higher and thrives in both shade and full sunlight.

How is Bamboo Grown Indoors?

For indoor bamboo cultivation, the majority of your plant upkeep will consist of routine feeding and watering. You might need to water your container plant more frequently than once per week to maintain the soil moisture level that bamboo prefers. You should be able to create a predictable care schedule quite easy, especially for an indoor plant where the climate is steady. To survive, most bamboos need a humidity level of 50%.

Sunlight

Partial shade is preferable to full sun for bamboo. A weak plant that cannot reach its full potential or produce its beautiful colour can be the result of too much shadow. When growing bamboo indoors, place it near the brightest window for natural light. Rotate the container once per week or so to make sure the plant receives light from all sides.

Temperature and Humidity

Golden bamboo is renowned for its resistance to cold. For a brief period of time, it may endure temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. But a prolonged cold spell might make the plant lose its leaves and perhaps kill it. The ideal temperature range for a room for a plant is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep it away from vents like a drying heater or air conditioner that can cause chilly draughts. Although these plants prefer humid environments, they may tolerate dry indoor air as long as they receive adequate watering.

Watering

Once grown, bamboo has some drought tolerance and can endure temporarily damp soil. But if the plant is left in standing water, the roots will rot and the plant will die. The soil around the plant should be consistently moist. Water the soil whenever it feels dry after testing it by inserting your finger an inch or two into it. Never allow the soil to entirely dry out. However, reduce watering a little bit in the winter.

Fertilizer

To maintain an optimal amount of nutrients in your container plant’s soil, feed your bamboo once a month with a balanced liquid fertiliser, following label instructions. It can also be beneficial to incorporate organic compost into the soil, particularly in the spring, to promote healthy plant growth.

Maintenance and Pruning

Bamboo does not typically require pruning. If old canes become unsightly, you can cut them off at the base. You can also remove new shoots as they emerge from the soil if you want to limit the growth and spread of your plant.

Container and Dimensions

Because bamboo can break through plastic or terra cotta, choose a metal or hardwood container with plenty of drainage holes. Choose a heavy pot that can support the weight of the bamboo canes. To begin, you’ll need at least a 10-gallon container. If you don’t want to repot it every year, start with a 20- or 30-gallon pot. Bamboo sends runners and prefers a pot that is wider than deep. Clumping bamboo thrives in containers of equal dimensions.

Drainage and Potting Soil

This plant can grow in a variety of soil types, but it prefers organically rich soil with good drainage. It dislikes soggy soil. For container plants, a commercial potting mix or a mixture of peat moss and perlite should suffice.

Bamboo Potting and Repotting

When starting with a small nursery bamboo plant, use a 12 inch wide and deep pot. To anchor the plant’s weight, add rocks or gravel to the bottom of the pot. Fill the space around the root ball with a loose, nutrient-rich potting mix. Compost can be added to encourage growth. Then, water the bamboo thoroughly.

Once the roots have spread throughout the pot and you see them coming out of the holes in the bottom or poking up through the soil on top, you may need to move your bamboo to a larger pot every year or two. Allowing your plant to remain in a pot that is too small for it for an extended period of time will result in it not receiving enough nutrients to stay healthy. An indoor plant can be repotted at any time of year, but the beginning of the growing season in spring, when the plant is ramping up its growth, is usually the best time for repotting.

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