Bamboo Planter Boxes: Make the Exotic Hideaway You Dream Of

Why Use Bamboo Planter Boxes

Ok, so you might not be thinking about growing bamboo in your bedroom. But growing bamboo in your outdoor space can be an attractive and effective way to separate your garden into different areas.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if your neighbors didn’t have a front-row seat when you and your partner relaxed in the hot tub after work?

Or maybe you just don’t want a view of the garbage cans as you enjoy your morning coffee al fresco.

Whatever the reason, adding height and separation to your garden can be a great way to add interest.

Splitting your space into different areas can make it appear bigger too.

If you’ve considered bamboo in the past but didn’t buy it, were you put off by the horror stories floating around?

People who told you the plant took over their whole garden in a matter of weeks… That they had to get a JCB digger in to get it out?

Whilst it’s true that bamboo grows super fast — that’s one of the reasons it’s so useful — growing bamboo in a planter restrains the plant without stunting its growth.

Sidebar: want to find out more about why bamboo is so amazing? Read more on our Why Bamboo page.

Choosing the right type of bamboo is essential too. Let’s find out more about that…

What Type of Bamboo to Choose for Your Planter Boxes

There are literally hundreds of varieties of bamboo.

Plants come in all shapes and sizes and a multitude of colors too. But the most important difference between them is how they grow. They’re categorized by their root type (or rhizome) and fall into two main groups:

The first is runners. Their roots run and spread underground at a staggering speed if not managed (think the vines in Jumanji, ok, maybe not quite that quick). Bamboo runners can cover vast areas in a short space of time. With the right management, they can look fabulous in larger gardens and areas where a lot of ground cover is needed. Understandably, they’re not ideal for planters so let’s move on.

The second type is clumpers – these are our guys. Clumpers grow roots in clumps that don’t stray far from the plant itself. Growth is slower too. They’ll still want to get bigger though. So you can’t leave them alone indefinitely – we’ll talk a bit more about that later.

So, when you go shopping for bamboo to fill your planters, make sure you choose a clumping bamboo.

After that, you’ll want to consider where your bamboo is going to live…

• How hot or cold is it likely to get?
• Will there be any shade? (Some bamboos aren’t fans of too much direct sunlight)
• How tall do you want it to grow?
• How much space do you have for your planter(s)?

Think about all these things and choose a bamboo plant that is best suited to your environment. If in doubt, make sure you check in with your local garden center or bamboo expert to be sure.

Then it’s time to think about your planter…

What are Bamboo Planter Boxes and How Do You Use Them?

A bamboo planter box can be made from any box that’s large and sturdy enough to accommodate your new bamboo. Popular choices of materials include:

• Wood
• Metal
• Bamboo

Unless you find a planter that’s super strong you might want to avoid plastic containers. Often the roots of your bamboo plant will push against the planter. Plastic planters may give up the fight and crack under the pressure.

Bamboo likes water, but it doesn’t like to be waterlogged. So any planter you choose should be able to provide adequate drainage.

Choosing a planter that has short legs is a good idea too. That way it’s easy for any excess water to drain away from the roots. And if the roots start to poke through the bottom of the planter you can trim them back.

Another thing to think about is the height of your plant. Bamboo caught in the wind can often cause lighter containers to topple over. On windy or exposed sites make sure pots are weighty enough to keep your bamboo upright.

Bamboo likes fertile soil with good aeration and drainage. Use good quality potting soil where possible. Add some stones or old pot chippings at the bottom of the planter to provide extra drainage if you have them.

What to Consider When Buying Planter Boxes

Something we haven’t already talked about is the size of the planter.

Your bamboo plant will need room to grow and plenty of space for its roots. Try not to underestimate the size of the container you’ll need. The smallest would be around 18” x 18” x 18” (45 x 45 x 45 cm).

If you’re planning on putting more than one plant into your planter, make sure they each have enough room to grow.

How to Make Your Own DIY Planter Boxes

Square or rectangular wooden planters are pretty simple to make. Building them yourself is a cost-effective option as large planters are often expensive to buy.

In this video, you’ll see how Matthew makes a stunning wooden planter for his bamboo plants. Note that he leaves drainage holes at the bottom of the planter and lines it with mesh to stop the soil from escaping.