How to Propagate Bamboo Plants

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This article was co-written by Lauren Kurtz. Lauren Kurtz is an expert in nature and horticulture. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Cporado, managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora City Center for the Department of Water Conservation. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

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Bamboo is actually a thick, woody grass that is often used for furniture and floors. When grown in the garden, bamboo can become large ornamental plants or make thick and discreet hedges. If you already have a bamboo plant, you can easily propagate it by cuttings from the main trunk of the tree or the underground stem, that is, the root system of the tree.

Table of Contents

Planting cuttings

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Select and sterilize tools suitable for cutting bamboo. Choose a bamboo cutting tool based on the thickness and strength of the bamboo. If the tree is small in diameter, a sharp knife will suffice. If the tree is larger and stronger, you may need to use a hand saw. Whatever tool you use, you’ll need to disinfect it first with household disinfectants, such as diluted bleach or rubbing alcohol. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If using bleach to disinfect, you need to dilute it with water first. Use 1 part bleach to 32 parts water. For example, you can use 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of bleach per 0.5 quart of water.

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Cut a piece of bamboo about 25cm long diagonally at a 45° angle. Each piece of bamboo cut must have at least 3 or 4 eyes, i.e. rings that surround the trunk. Bamboo plants must have a diameter of at least 2.5 cm to be able to successfully grow by cuttings. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Dip one end of the bamboo in the rooting hormone powder. Rooting hormone will help roots grow faster when you plant cuttings. Dip the end of the bamboo in the hormone powder and shake to remove any excess. Rooting hormone is available in powder form and is available at garden stores. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Apply a layer of soft wax about 3 mm high around the open end of the bamboo. Use a soft wax like soy wax or beeswax. The wax layer will help keep the bamboo branches from rotting or drying out. Remember not to let the wax seal the hollow bamboo tube in the middle. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Insert the bamboo piece up to 1 eye deep into the pot containing the planting soil. A small nursery pot is enough for each cutting. Insert bamboo cuttings into the soil until one eye is completely buried in the ground. Compact the soil around the bamboo cuttings to remove air pockets. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Use a spray bottle to keep the soil moist. The soil should be completely moist but not soggy. You can poke your finger into the soil up to a knuckle deep to make sure the soil is moist. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Pour water into the bamboo tube. Although roots will grow in moist soil, pouring water into the bamboo tube will provide additional water to the plant. Check the water level every 2 days and keep the water full most of the time while the plants grow. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Place the potted plant in a warm place out of direct sunlight and water daily. Bamboo cuttings should be placed in a shady place, but a little bit of daylight is okay. Check the soil daily to make sure it stays moist. Do not allow water to stagnate on the ground. Too much water will put the growing roots at risk of rotting. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

You can put a plastic bag over the bamboo cuttings to help the plant retain water, although this is not necessary for plant growth. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Plant the tree in the ground after 4 months. Within 3-4 weeks you will notice the bamboo shoots growing taller and new shoots sprouting from the bamboo knots. 4 months after planting bamboo cuttings in pots, you can plant them in the ground. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Lightly dig up the soil in the pot with a hand shovel or spade to make it easier to remove the plant. Place the bamboo in a hole in the soil slightly wider than the bamboo roots. Fill with soil around the plant and water carefully. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Soak bamboo branches in water

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Cut bamboo pieces about 25cm long from the young bamboo plant. The cut bamboo must have at least 2 eyes and 2 segments, ie the part between the eyes. Use a sharp knife to cut diagonally at a 45° angle. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Disinfect knives with a household disinfectant, such as diluted bleach or rubbing alcohol, before cutting the bamboo stalks.

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Soak the bottom eye of the bamboo segment in a pot of water in a well-lit place. The lower eye of the bamboo segment should be completely submerged in water to allow maximum space for roots to grow. Place the plant in a place with indirect sunlight for 6 hours a day and a temperature above 13 degrees Celsius. ^{[13] X Research Source}

If possible, you should use a transparent pot to easily see the roots grow.

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Change the water every 2 days. Oxygen will be lost very quickly when soaking bamboo branches in water, especially when you are trying to grow bamboo branches into trees. Changing the water will ensure that the plant continues to receive the nutrients it needs to grow. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Transfer the bamboo branch to a pot when the roots grow to about 5 cm long. It will take several weeks for roots to grow from the branch. When the roots have grown to about 5 cm long, you can transfer the bamboo branches to plant them in pots or in the ground so that the plants continue to grow. Plant the branch into the ground about 2.5 cm deep.

Planting bamboo with underground stems

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Use a sharp garden knife to cut an underground stem with 2-3 buds. Carefully brush off the soil on the bamboo roots. Find an underground stem with 2-3 buds, which is where the stems grow. You may have to cut the stems down to get the underground stem. Use a sharp knife to cut a piece. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Do not use underground stem segments with dark or patchy patches. These are signs of disease or vermin, and as such, the underside cannot grow well.
Only take underground stem segments from mature bamboo clusters to avoid the risk of damage to the tree.

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Place the underground stem segment horizontally in the pot, the shoots facing up. Spread a layer of potting soil into the pot. Put the underground stem section down, the side with the shoots facing up. If you leave a few buds on the underground stem, leave the tops above the ground. ^{[16] X Research Source}

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Cover a layer of soil about 7.5 cm thick on top of the underground stem. Bury the stem in the ground so it can begin to grow. Compact the soil so that the soil is in full contact with the underground stem. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Advice

If you can’t plant the bamboo segments right away, stick the ends of the branches in moist soil or cover them with a damp cloth to keep them moist, otherwise, the bamboo will dry out very quickly. ^{[20] X Research Source}

Warning

Bamboo can quickly grow out. When growing bamboo, you should probably put a fence, such as a wall, around the tree to prevent the bamboo from growing out of control.

Things you need

Household Disinfectant
Sharp knife or hand saw
Plant pots
Woodland
Rooting-stimulating hormone
Soft waxes, such as beeswax
Aerosol
Garden knife
Watering

Steps