The Bamboo house plant is one of the most popular indoor plants that are in every house. Do you know why? It is due to its tropical Appearance and you can find it in small sizes to tall and large ones. So, it can be put on a table or placed in a living room with a tall ceiling.
There are other reasons for the popularity of this common indoor plant. It is a symbol of resilience, strength, and flexibility in Feng Shui, too. Do you believe in Feng Shui? There are a lot of stories about the number of Bamboo house plants in a pot. Bamboo can bend without breaking, so people consider it a metaphor for adaptability and perseverance in the face of challenges.
There are several Bamboo house plants. If you are interested in knowing which one you have in your house or which Bamboo type is more appropriate for your indoor décor, here, I will discuss the top 10 common Bamboo and Bamboo-like plants with their characteristics. Every bamboo variety has its unique characteristics and growth habits, so you must know them. If you are ready, let to start.
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Bamboo House Plant Types
In this part, you will find the top 10 bamboo house plant types with their Characteristics, images, and common and scientific names. Do you know why you must know the scientific names? The Common names depend on regions and cultures. So, every plant may have several common names, and sometimes several plants may have the same common name. But the scientific names (genus and species) are specific to a particular species. Hence, when purchasing bamboo plants, it’s a good idea to use their scientific names to ensure clarity.
I discussed taking care of Bamboo house plants in my previous article, here, let to find the Bamboo house plant types. It will help you to find the best ones for your indoor décor.
Lucky Bamboo
Scientific name: Dracaena sanderiana
Alternative Names: Ribbon Plant, Chinese Water Bamboo, Sander’s Dracaena, Ribbon Dracaena.
Lucky Bamboo is one of the most well-known indoor bamboo plants. It’s not a true bamboo but is often associated with it due to its appearance. It’s easy to care for and can thrive in low-light conditions.
Appearance:
- Lucky Bamboo has long, slender stems that are often twisted or braided for ornamental purposes.
- It features glossy green, lance-shaped leaves.
- It has a stem composed of nodes and internodes.
- Leaves emerge from the nodes
- It may produce small white flowers under the right conditions.
Buddha’s Belly Bamboo
Scientific name: Bambusa ventricose
Alternative Names: Buddha Belly Plant, Buddha Bamboo, Teardrop Bamboo.
This bamboo has a unique swollen or “belly” appearance on its lower stems. It’s a compact bamboo variety suitable for indoor cultivation.
Appearance:
- As mentioned above, this bamboo has a distinctive “belly” appearance in its lower culms.
- The leaves are lance-shaped and typically dark green.
- Like other bamboo species, it has nodes and internodes along its stem.
- Leaves grow from the nodes
- They produce branches and new culms as they mature.
Arrow Bamboo
Scientific name: Pseudosasa spp.
Alternative Names: Arrow-Leaf Bamboo, Running Bamboo (for some species), Sasa Bamboo (for some species).
Arrow bamboo varieties like Pseudosasa japonica are adaptable for indoor growth. They have slender leaves and are generally more cold-tolerant.
Appearance:
- Arrow bamboo varieties typically have slender, lance-shaped leaves.
- The culms (stems) are often green or green with a bluish tint.
- They have nodes and internodes on their culms
- The leaves emerge from the nodes.
- Arrow bamboo can form dense clumps over time.
Chinese Dwarf Bamboo
Scientific name: Bambusa guangxiensis
Alternative Names: Dwarf Bamboo, Guangxi Bamboo.
This dwarf bamboo species is well-suited for growing in pots indoors. It has small, delicate leaves and can reach a manageable height for indoor spaces.
Appearance:
- Chinese Dwarf Bamboo is a compact bamboo with small, narrow leaves.
- It is generally a smaller bamboo variety, making it suitable for indoor cultivation.
- Similar to other bamboo species, it has nodes and internodes along its stems
- The leaves grow from the nodes.
Fernleaf Bamboo
Scientific name: Bambusa multiplex
Alternative Names: Hedge Bamboo, Multiplex Bamboo, Pygmy Bamboo.
Fernleaf bamboo has delicate, feathery leaves and a compact growth habit, making it a great choice for indoor bamboo gardening.
Appearance:
- Fernleaf bamboo has delicate, feathery leaves that resemble fern fronds.
- Its culms are typically green and slender.
- It exhibits the typical bamboo structure with nodes, internodes
- The leaves emerge from the nodes.
- It tends to form attractive, bushy clumps.
Black Bamboo
Scientific name: Phyllostachys nigra
Alternative Names: Giant Timber Bamboo, Black Timber Bamboo.
While it can be more challenging to grow indoors, black bamboo is a striking option known for its dark-coloured culms (stems). It may require more space and care compared to smaller bamboo varieties.
Appearance:
- Black Bamboo is known for its striking dark-coloured culms (stems) that can appear nearly black.
- It has lance-shaped leaves.
- It has nodes and internodes along its culms,
- The leaves grow from the nodes.
- Black Bamboo can grow relatively tall compared to some indoor bamboo species.
Golden Bamboo
Scientific name: Phyllostachys aurea
Alternative Names: Fishpole Bamboo, Yellow Bamboo.
Golden bamboo is another attractive bamboo species with yellow or golden stems. It can be grown indoors if provided with sufficient light and space. This is also a non-toxic plant for cats.
Appearance:
- Golden Bamboo features bright yellow or golden culms and green leaves.
- The contrast between the stems and leaves is visually appealing.
- Like other bamboo types, it has nodes and internodes.
- The leaves emerge from the nodes.
- It can create an attractive display when grown indoors.
Heavenly Bamboo
Scientific name: Nandina domestica
Alternative Names: Sacred Bamboo, Nandina.
Also known as Sacred Bamboo, it’s not a true bamboo but has a bamboo-like appearance. It’s often grown indoors as an ornamental shrub.
Appearance:
- Heavenly Bamboo has bamboo-like foliage with pinnate (feather-like) leaves.
- It often turns reddish in the fall.
- It’s a woody shrub and does not have bamboo’s typical stem structure.
- It produces clusters of small, white flowers and red berries.
Timor Black Bamboo
Scientific name: Gigantochloa atroviolacea
Alternative Names: Indonesian Black Bamboo, Timor Giant Bamboo.
This bamboo species has dark-coloured culms and can be a unique addition to your indoor plant collection. It’s known for its striking contrast.
Appearance:
- Timor Black Bamboo has dark-coloured culms
- It has lance-shaped leaves.
- It shares the typical bamboo structure with nodes and internodes.
- The leaves emerge from the nodes.
Giant Bamboo
Scientific name: Dendrocalamus giganteus
Alternative Names: Giant Timber Bamboo, Dragon Bamboo, Giant Buddha Bamboo.
Though it’s typically grown outdoors due to its size, some bamboo enthusiasts may attempt to grow this giant bamboo indoors if they have the space.
Appearance:
- Giant Bamboo, as the name suggests, can grow incredibly tall.
- It has large, lance-shaped leaves and thick culms.
- Similar to other bamboo species, it features nodes and internodes along its towering stems.
- The leaves grow from the nodes.
Bamboo House Plant Types That Are More Common Indoors
Although all Bamboo house plant types in the above list can grow indoors, some of them are more suitable for indoor conditions. In this part, I provide a list of them.
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky Bamboo is one of the most popular indoor bamboo-like plants. It thrives in indoor conditions and is often used as a decorative houseplant.
Buddha’s Belly Bamboo (Bambusa ventricosa)
While it can be grown outdoors in warmer climates, Buddha’s Belly Bamboo is commonly cultivated indoors as a potted plant.
Chinese Dwarf Bamboo (Bambusa guangxiensis)
This bamboo variety is suitable for indoor growth and is often grown in pots.
Fernleaf Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex)
Fernleaf Bamboo is well-suited for indoor cultivation and can be grown in containers.
Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)
While not a true bamboo, Heavenly Bamboo is often grown as an ornamental shrub indoors and in outdoor gardens.
Bamboo House Plant Types That Can Be Grown Outdoors
Here, I want to help you select Bamboo house plant types that can grow in your outdoor garden too. Before diving into it, you must note the following points:
- First, check your specific location’s USDA hardiness zone to determine which bamboo species can thrive in your area. In the following, I will provide you with the bamboo species for outdoor cultivation in the USA, which vary based on the USDA hardiness zones.
- Please note the local regulations and restrictions regarding for planting of bamboo house plant types. Do you know why? Some bamboo varieties can become invasive if planted outdoors.
If you are ready, let to find them.
Arrow Bamboo (Pseudosasa spp.):
Arrow bamboo varieties are typically grown outdoors, especially in temperate climates. They can become quite large and are better suited for garden settings.
Suited for USDA hardiness zones 5-10.
Can be grown in a range of regions, including the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and parts of the Northeast.
Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra):
Black Bamboo is generally grown outdoors due to its size and invasive growth habit. It can be challenging to manage indoors.
Typically suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7-10.
It can be grown in parts of the southern United States, such as the Gulf Coast and southern California.
Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea):
Golden Bamboo is typically grown outdoors in gardens, as it can become quite tall and may be invasive if not contained.
Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 6-10.
It can be grown in various regions of the southern United States, including parts of California, Texas, Florida, and the southeastern states.
Timor Black Bamboo (Gigantochloa atroviolacea):
This bamboo variety is better suited for outdoor cultivation due to its size and growth requirements.
Suited for tropical regions, typically not suitable for most of the continental United States due to its climate requirements.
Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus Giganteus):
Giant Bamboo is usually grown outdoors in large gardens or in its natural habitat, as it can reach towering heights.
It is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 9-11.
Fernleaf Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex)
Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 8-11.
It can be grown in warm and tropical regions, such as parts of Florida, Texas, and California.
Buddha’s Belly Bamboo (Bambusa ventricosa):
Typically suited for USDA hardiness zones 9-11.
Best grown in the warmest regions of the southern United States, such as southern Florida and southern Texas.
Conclusion
Thank you for walking with me to the end of this article. Now, you have a comprehensive list of Bamboo house plant types with their characteristics. I provided you with a list of the best for indoors and outdoors. Why do you wait? Choose the best ones for your indoor décor or outdoor garden.
Can you add to my list with new bamboo plants? If you want to create the above list based on your interests, which one would be at the top of it? Please share your ideas and experiences with our readers below this page.
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.