Bamboo grows in nature under a taller forest canopy. As a result, it does very well in shade or indirect light. Potted bamboos allow indoor cultivation of exotic tropical and subtropical varieties as houseplants in climates normally not suited for bamboo cultivation. If properly cared for, potted bamboo can grow for years as an indoor houseplant.
Most types of bamboo will grow in pots, as long as they are large enough to accommodate their roots. Large bamboo can grow in large pots but may need frequent pruning to keep it shorter than ceiling heights. Smaller bamboos can grow in pots with little or no pruning. Clumping bamboo will fill your pot more slowly than bamboo that propagates via runners, but both are good candidates for growth in pots.
Bamboo does best with a couple of inches of mulch to help retain soil moisture. Potted bamboo is no exception. Add a couple of inches of mulch to your plants and water through the mulch. To check soil moisture, either poke through the mulch or lift up an edge to access the soil.
Bamboo requires a lot of water. Potted bamboo plants require more water than bamboo kept outside. Plan on watering your bamboo two or three times a week. Watch the leaves on your bamboo. If they start to droop, you may be watering too frequently. Water your potted bamboo until water runs from the holes in the bottom of your pot.
Bamboo does best in filtered or indirect light. Some potted bamboos can actually suffer leaf sunburn if exposed to hot, direct afternoon sun. Placing your potted bamboo under a tree or in a window that is shaded by a tree can help create lighting conditions similar to what your bamboo might experience in nature.
Indoor or Outdoor
By growing bamboo in a pot, you can move your bamboo outdoors during warmer seasons. As autumn's cooler temperatures arrive, you can move your warm-climate bamboos back inside for the winter. Most potted bamboos will survive quite well either as an indoor or an outdoor plant.