Clumping bamboo has been a long time favorite for landscapers, not only for its aesthetic appeal, but for its “stay-where-you-put-it” qualities as well. Unlike running bamboo, which has the habit of getting out of control, clumping bamboo grows in densely formed clumps of culms wherever you put it. Clumping bamboo is a great choice for creating a low-maintenance garden, Asian gardens, a Japanese-influenced theme, screens, hedges and much more.
Bamboo is often portrayed as a plant that thrives in full sun. Its rapid growth and vibrant green stems seem to suggest that bamboo needs lots of light. However, many homeowners wonder if bamboo can grow in shaded areas of their yard or garden. The answer is yes – with the right species selection and care, bamboo can grow surprisingly well in partial or even full shade.
How Much Shade Can Bamboo Tolerate?
Bamboo is a grass, so like most grasses it prefers full sun. However, some species are more shade tolerant than others. Here is a quick overview of how well bamboo performs in varying amounts of shade:
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Full sun (6+ hours direct sun per day): Ideal for most bamboo, results in maximal growth and strongest plant health.
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Light shade (4-6 hours sun) Many bamboo species still grow well, with slightly reduced vitality.
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Partial shade (2-4 hours sun) Some species tolerate partial shade, but growth will be slower and weaker Provide supplemental water
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Full shade (less than 2 hours sun): Only select shade-loving species will grow. Opt for compact varieties. Keep soil moist.
So while sunnier spots are best, bamboo can adapt to considerable shade if chosen carefully. Dappled sunlight filtered through trees is easier for bamboo to handle than dark areas on the north side of buildings. Morning sun is beneficial.
Best Bamboo Species for Shade
Certain bamboo species are naturally adapted to growing in forest understories or other shaded environments, so they can thrive with less light. Here are some top picks:
Clumping Bamboo
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Umbrella bamboo (Fargesia spp.) – Very shade tolerant cold hardy clumpers. Blueish leaves. Grows 12-20 ft tall.
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Himalayan bamboo (Himalayacalamus spp.) – Colorful stems. Handles warmer climates if shaded. Grows to 15-40 ft.
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Buddha belly bamboo (Bambusa ventricosa) – Tropical clumper with swollen lower stems. Grows well in hot shade. Reaches 15-30 ft.
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Giant timber bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) – Massive tropical bamboo tolerates heat and shade. Grows up to 100 ft.
Running Bamboo
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Japanese arrow bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica) – Shade loving runner for screens or hedges. Grows 15-25 ft. Cold hardy.
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Umbrella bamboo ( Pleioblastus viridistriatus) – Stripy dwarf runner. Handles cold and moderate shade. Grows to 6 ft.
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Hedge bamboo (Sasaella spp.) – Dense, bushy Japanese shade runners. Cold tolerant to -10°F. Reach 1-5 ft tall.
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Buddha belly bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris vittata) – Tropical runner with variegated leaves for dappled shade. Grows to 30 ft.
Growing Bamboo in the Shade – Care Tips
Bamboo grown in shade needs a little extra care and attention to thrive. Here are some key tips:
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Water: Check soil moisture frequently, as shade reduces evaporation. Provide extra irrigation during dry periods so bamboo gets consistent moisture.
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Mulch: Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the bamboo stems to retain soil moisture and nutrients. Organic mulches like wood chips work well.
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Fertilizer: Feed shaded bamboo every 2-3 months during the growing season with a balanced organic fertilizer to provide extra nutrients.
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Pruning: Remove old culms and any dead or diseased foliage, which don’t get enough light to remain vigorous. Prevent overcrowding.
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Soil: Plant bamboo in rich, loose soil amended with compost. Improve drainage in heavy clay soils.
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Variety: Pick shade tolerant species suited to your climate. Avoid sun-loving varieties like moso bamboo.
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Transition: Gradually acclimate newly planted bamboo to increasing shade levels over time.
With the right expectations and care, bamboo can add graceful foliage, screening, and aesthetic appeal to surprisingly shady areas of your landscape. Armed with this knowledge of bamboo’s shade tolerance, you can confidently incorporate bamboo into parts of your yard that many homeowners might consider off limits.
Bamboo Shade Tolerance by Species
To help select bamboo varieties best suited to your specific light conditions, here is a more detailed look at shade tolerance among some of the most popular species:
Excellent Shade Tolerance
These bamboo species grow happily in fairly deep shade:
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Umbrella bamboo (Fargesia spp.) – This clumping bamboo thrives in cool mountain forests. The leaves and stems take on bluish hues in shade. Fargesia rufa and F. nitida grow well in up to 60% shade.
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Hedge bamboo (Sasaella spp.) – Dense, bushy dwarf bamboo for shady borders or erosion control. Sasaella masamuneana handles deep shade.
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Himalayan bamboo (Himalayacalamus spp.) – Elegant timber clumpers like Himalayacalamus hookerianus tolerate warm shade. Blue stems.
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Buddha belly bamboo (Bambusa ventricosa) – Shade-loving tropical clumper. Distinctively swollen lower internodes.
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Timor black bamboo (Bambusa lako) – Tropical clumping bamboo with black stems. Tolerates heat and shade.
Moderate Shade Tolerance
These bamboo varieties grow respectably well in partial or medium shade:
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Alphonse Karr bamboo (Bambusa multiplex ‘Alphonse Karr’) – Popular golden-striped tropical clumper handles up to 40% shade.
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Japanese arrow bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica) – Versatile runner for hedges and screens. Tolerates partial shade.
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Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) – Fast growing runner for timber and shoots. Tolerates some shade when mature.
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Giant timber bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) – Massive tropical clumping bamboo. Tolerates partial shade when established.
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Umbrella bamboo (Pleioblastus viridistriatus) – Colorful dwarf runner grows in medium shade. Good for containers.
Low Shade Tolerance
These sun-loving bamboo species require full sun or just light shade to thrive:
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Medake bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides) – Extremely versatile temperate runner used for timber, crafts, and food. Needs full sun.
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Hairy bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) – Fast growing clumping timber bamboo. Intolerant of deep shade.
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Sweetshoot bamboo (Phyllostachys dulcis) – Edible shoot production suffers without sufficient sun.
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Blue Henon bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra ‘Henon’) – Shade reduces the intensity of stems on this dramatic black bamboo.
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Dragon’s Head bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra ‘Boryana’) – Brilliant green stems fade in shade on this popular timber bamboo.
The benefits of bamboo
bamboo is a great choice for homeowners who want an easy-to-care-for plant that will add some personality to their shady yard bamboo is a fast-growing plant and can quickly add privacy screening or decoration to any yard bamboo is a type of grass that can be used in a variety of ways in the garden. It is important to choose the right bamboo variety for your specific growing conditions, though. Some bamboo varieties are better suited for shady areas, while others prefer full sun. Bamboo is a beautiful and versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways in the garden.
Choosing the right bamboo for your garden
When picking a bamboo variety for your garden, it is important to consider the specific growing conditions of your yard. Some bamboo varieties are better suited for shady areas, while others prefer full sun. It is also essential to consider the size and shape of the bamboo plant when making your selection.
If you are looking for bamboo privacy screening, choose a bamboo variety that grows tall and has a dense growth habit. If you are looking for bamboo plants for decoration, choose a smaller bamboo variety that has a more ornamental shape.
Can Bamboo Grow in Shade?
FAQ
Can bamboo grow without sunlight?
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Most Bamboo Need Sunlight:Generally, most bamboo species require ample sunlight for optimal growth and development.
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“Lucky Bamboo” is an Exception:The plant commonly called “lucky bamboo” is actually a Dracaena sanderiana and can thrive in low-light conditions, making it a good choice for indoor environments.
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Low Light Tolerance:“Lucky bamboo” can tolerate low light conditions, including dappled sunlight or even deep shade with less than two hours of sun.
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Artificial Light:If you don’t have access to natural light, “lucky bamboo” can still thrive under artificial grow lights.
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Other Bamboo speciesSome other bamboo species like Fargesia, Thamnocalamus and Sasa do well with light to moderate shade
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Signs of Insufficient Light:If your bamboo plant (especially if it’s not “lucky bamboo”) is showing signs of stunted growth, pale leaves, or leaning towards a light source, it may be getting insufficient light.
How much sun does bamboo need to grow?
… have an idea of where they want to plant their bamboo, one should keep in mind that most large bamboos (Phyllostachys) do best with five or more hours …
What is the downside of bamboo plants?
Bamboo is highly vulnerable to moisture and in permanent contact with soil moisture (or in contact with the outdoors and rainfall) it can rot and tends to increase pest attack. For this reason, it must be protected and properly cured to prevent it.
Can you grow bamboo in the shade?
If you are looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that will add some bamboo flair to your shady yard, look no further! In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about growing bamboo in the shade. Bamboo is a beautiful and versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways in the garden.
Can walking stick bamboo grow in shade?
Walking Stick bamboo can grow 10 to 20 feet tall and is cold hardy down to 5º or 10º F. This makes it a good option for many areas, and it definitely prefers to grow in the shade. Close cousin to Walking Stick Bamboo, Square Bamboo (Chimonobambusa quagrangularis) has similar requirements and characteristics, and will also do well in the shade.
Which bamboo plants grow best in shade?
Fargesia is a non-invasive clumping variety that grows well under partial to full-shade conditions. This type of bamboo thrives best when exposed to morning sunlight and afternoon shaded areas. Sasa Veitchii, also known as the Japanese umbrella plant, is another excellent option for growing bamboos under shady areas.
Are bamboo trees shade tolerant?
For the smaller, more shade-tolerant species, look to P. pygmaeus, P. variegatus, and P. fortunei. These modestly sized bamboos can serve as great companion plants under a shady canopy, among larger shade-producing bamboos, Mugo pines and Japanese maples. But be careful to plant a root barrier, or else be prepared to see them spread.
How does shade affect a bamboo plant?
Varying amounts of shade and sunlight can also affect other features of your bamboo plant. Extra shade will usually affect the color of the leaves, sometimes resulting in deeper greens. It can also bring out different colors in the culms, stunning shades of blue, red or purple, depending on the species.
Do bamboo plants grow in the dark?
Plants don’t grow in the dark. Sunlight also has a way of deterring some of those shade-loving insects that like to dwell on indoor plants and in the cooler corners of the garden. Some plants have less chlorophyll than others, and that’s true of certain bamboos as well.