Plant Himalayan blue bamboo in spring, at the same depth as the pot, with about eight to ten feet for one clump. Himalayan blue bamboo here is Himalayacalamus hookerianus. Do not drop the crown in a deep hole, and do not install a runner barrier as the method.
Plant in spring, at the same depth as the pot
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Spring, once the ground is working and new growth is about to start | Do not plant into cold, wet ground just before a hard freeze |
| Depth | Set the top of the root ball even with the surrounding soil | Do not bury the rhizomes under extra soil |
| Hole | Twice as wide as the pot, in loose, composted loam that drains | Do not drop the plant into a deep, narrow auger hole |
| Room | Leave about eight to ten feet for one ornamental clump | Do not plant it against a wall or a path you cannot give up |
Wait until spring. Dig a hole twice as wide as the nursery pot and no deeper than the root ball. [1] Set the plant so the top of the ball sits even with the soil. Backfill with the native soil mixed with compost. Water to settle. Mulch the ground around the clump, and keep the first weeks evenly moist. [2] A runner barrier is for running timber, not this clumper. Choose a morning-sun site with afternoon shade; the season plan lives on How to Grow Himalayan Blue Bamboo.
When should I plant Himalayan blue bamboo?
In spring, once the ground is working. Give the roots a season before hard cold.
How to plant Himalayan blue bamboo
- Choose open ground in morning sun with afternoon shade, about eight to ten feet of room, and soil that drains.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and the same depth as the root ball. Mix compost into the backfill.
- Slide the plant out. Set it so the top of the ball is even with the soil. Do not bury the rhizomes.
- Backfill, water until the soil settles, and mulch the ground around the clump. Keep the first weeks moist.
How deep do I plant it?
Even with the soil. Do not bury the rhizomes under extra backfill.
What fails at planting
Planting too deep in a soggy hole is the main reason a new clump stalls. An auger hole that leaves the ball sitting low smothers the rhizomes. A site against a house or a tight path will not have room once the clump is about ten feet across. A plastic barrier is the wrong tool here. This plant stays in a clump; the barrier is for running timber.
Do I need a rhizome barrier?
No. This is a clumping bamboo. A barrier is for running timber, not this plant.
Does Himalayan blue bamboo spread?
The clump widens slowly over years. It does not send long runners. Leave eight to ten feet of room, not a trench barrier.
Divide a crowded clump — don’t wait on seed
The usual start is a nursery pot or an offset from the edge of a clump, not seed. Seed is seldom available because the plant flowers only after many years. [3] To divide, wait until spring as new growth starts. Cut an outer section with at least three culms and attached rhizome and roots. Pot it in a fertile sandy mix in light shade, or replant it at once at the same depth, and keep it moist until new shoots show. [4] Basal cane cuttings are a poor home start.
- Wait until spring, when the plant is about to grow.
- Cut an outer wedge with at least three culms and a solid piece of rhizome and roots.
- Replant at once at the same depth as before, in moist soil that drains, or pot the division in a fertile sandy mix. Water in.
- Keep the division evenly moist and out of hot afternoon sun until new shoots show. Then continue on How to Grow Himalayan Blue Bamboo.
Can I divide an established clump?
Yes. Take an outer section with at least three culms and roots in spring, and replant it at once.
Can I start it from seed?
Almost never. The plant flowers only after many years. Buy a pot or divide a clump.
Plant in spring at the same depth as the pot, with room for the clump. Divide an outer section if you want a second plant.
FAQ
Can I take a culm cutting?
Basal cane cuttings are difficult because this species branches high. A nursery pot or a clump division is the usual start.
Can I plant it in fall?
Spring is safer. A late plant has little time to root before cold, and winter wet around a new crown is the usual rot.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] American Bamboo Society -
https://www.bamboo.org/bamboo-planting-and-care/ - [2] Bamboo Sourcery Nursery & Gardens -
https://bamboosourcery.com/product/himalayacalamus-hookerianus-3/ - [3] Plants For A Future -
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Himalayacalamus+hookerianus - [4] Useful Temperate Plants -
https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Himalayacalamus+hookerianus
This note is part of Himalayacalamus Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors