Bamboo Propagation 101: Dividing Rhizomes & Taking Cuttings

Bamboo is a thick, woody grass that’s often grown as an ornamental plant or dense privacy barrier. You can propagate any type of bamboo by dividing the plant in early spring. But if you’re going clumping bamboo, it may be easier to root it by placing culm cuttings (cuttings taken from the main bamboo stalks) in either soil or water. In this article, we'll walk you through all three propagation techniques, and we'll also share insights from plant specialists Tyler Radford and Ryan Glynn, CPA.

How do you propagate bamboo?

Plant specialist Tyler Radford says that dividing bamboo is the easiest way to propagate it. Both running and clumping bamboo can be propagated by dividing. Dig up new shoots coming off the parent plant, using the tip of your shovel to sever the roots and rhizomes. Transplant the new shoots to a planter or plant them directly into the ground.

Section 1 of 6:

Dividing Bamboo Rhizomes

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1
Find new shoots growing a little away from the parent plant. Radford says, “When we propagate bamboo, typically we just divide it.”^{[1]
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Tyler Radford
Plant Specialist

Expert Interview} If you have clumping bamboo, dig up new culms (or shoots) that are growing on the outside of the clump. For running bamboo, look for stray culms that are coming up outside of your main bamboo grove.^{[2]
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- Choose healthy culms with even color and firm stems.
- Both running and clumping bamboo varieties can be propagated by dividing the plant. However, it can be difficult to divide bamboo clumps, especially once the bamboo is well-established, so you may find it easier to take cuttings.
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Use a sharp spade or shovel to separate the new culms. If you have room, dig about 6–8 in (15–20 cm) away from the culms. This will help ensure you have plenty of healthy roots and you don’t accidentally damage the new shoots while you’re digging. Use the tip of your shovel to sever the rhizomes (or underground stems) that connect the new shoots to the parent plant.^{[3]
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- If your bamboo has thick rhizomes that you can’t cut with a shovel, dig around the rhizomes to expose them, then carefully sever them with an axe.
- If you’re not going to plant the divided bamboo right away (like if you need to transport it somewhere else), wrap it in damp straw or other organic material to keep the roots moist.^{[4]
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Place the new shoot in a pot with well-draining soil. Fill the pot about halfway with well-draining potting soil, like a 1:1 mixture of peat moss and perlite. Place the roots into the soil with the stalks facing up, then fill in the rest of the pot with soil and pack it lightly around the plant.^{[5]
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- Be sure to use a planter with drainage holes.
- If you live in a warm climate, you can plant the divided bamboo directly in the ground instead of putting it in a pot. Plant it in a spot with partial sun and keep the soil moist throughout the growing season.
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Keep the soil consistently moist but not soaked. Water the bamboo thoroughly after you plant it. Then, check the soil every other day. When the top 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) of soil feel dry to the touch, add more water.^{[6]
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- Don’t overwater the soil, or the rhizomes will rot. Allow the top of the soil to dry out before you water again.
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Keep the bamboo in a shady spot for 4–6 weeks. Keep the pot out of direct sunlight. The best place to keep it is next to a shady exterior wall or under the cover of a large tree. It will take 4 to 6 weeks before your bamboo is fully rooted. At this point, care for the bamboo the same way you would the parent plant—keep the soil moist but not oversaturated, and apply an all-purpose fertilizer once or twice during the growing season.^{[7]
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- You may have the best success at transplanting your bamboo if you wait until the start of the next year’s growing season—usually early spring.

Section 2 of 6:

Propagating Culm Cuttings in Soil

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Choose a firm bamboo culm that’s around 1–2 years old. Look for a firm culm (or stalk) with even color and branches coming off of the sides. Avoid brand-new culms (if they have any branches, they’ll be small). Also, avoid older culms—these might have dark coloration or a streaky, woody appearance.^{[8]
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- Bamboo culms don’t grow thicker once they mature, so you can’t rely on the diameter of the stalk to tell how old it is.
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Cut the stalk just below a node at a 45° angle. Locate a node (or ringed area on the bamboo stalk) with a new branch growing out of it. Make a clean, angled cut about halfway between the node with the branch and the next node beneath it. Try to avoid making jagged cuts or pulling away strips of the culm’s outer layer, as this could lead to infection or rot.
- If you have a thin-walled bamboo variety, you may be able to make the cut with pruning shears or loppers. But you’ll likely need a hand saw or even a chainsaw to cut thicker bamboo varieties.
- Be sure to sterilize your blade with rubbing alcohol or diluted bleach before you cut. This will help prevent spreading diseases or pests between plants.^{[9]
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Divide the cut bamboo stalk into segments with 1–3 nodes. There are two main ways you can divide your bamboo stalk. One way is to cut above and below each branch, so there’s one branched node on each segment. This is a good option if you’re planting into pots, since each segment will be relatively small. Or, if you have more space, you can cut longer pieces with 2–3 nodes on each segment.^{[10]
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- If there are multiple branches growing off of a single node, trim off all but the healthiest-looking one.^{[11]
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- Make your cuts in the internode, or the smooth section between the rings on the bamboo stalk.^{[12]
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- If you’re not going to divide the bamboo segments right away, place the stalks in water or wrap them in damp canvas to keep them from drying out.
This step is optional, but it will help the bamboo root faster. Roots will develop at the base of the branch at one end of the cutting, so carefully apply a little rooting powder right where the branch is attached to the main stem. Shake off any excess powder.^{[13]
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Apply a thin layer of wax to protect the top end of the cutting. Turn the culm cutting vertically so the branch is pointing upward. On the end of the culm that’s facing upward, spread a small amount of soft wax, like soy wax or beeswax.^{[14]
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- Make sure you do not cover the center hole with wax.
- You can skip this if you’d like, but we recommend doing it—the wax will help prevent the stalk from rotting or drying.
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Bury the stalk vertically in potting soil. Use a 6 in (15 cm) nursery pot with drainage holes for single-node cuttings, or place longer cuttings in a larger garden bed or into the ground. Push the bamboo into the potting soil until the base of the branch is just under the soil. Press the soil firmly around the bamboo to eliminate any air pockets.^{[15]
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- Use a well-draining soil, like a commercial soil or a 1:1 mixture of peat moss and perlite.^{[16]
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Water the soil so it’s damp but not soaking wet. Pour just enough water into the pot to dampen the soil. It should feel damp to the touch, but not muddy.^{[17]
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- After this, you’ll mainly add water through the center of the bamboo culm.
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Fill the center of the cutting with water. Pour water down the center of your bamboo stalk until it’s filled all the way to the top. After that, check the water level every 2 days, topping up as needed.^{[18]
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- Using the water level in the bamboo culm is a good way to ensure the soil is consistently moist.
- Check the soil daily to keep it moist. Don’t let water sit on top of the soil. Too much water will put any developing roots at risk of rotting.
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Keep the pots in a warm area in indirect sunlight. Bamboo prefers indirect sunlight, like a spot under a tree. A little light throughout the day is okay. ^{[19]
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- Some people prefer to place a plastic bag over the cutting to help increase humidity and encourage rooting. You don’t have to do this, but it may be a good idea if you live in an especially dry climate.
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Transplant the bamboo after 4–6 months. Within 3 to 4 weeks, you should notice your cutting growing in height and more branches appearing from the nodes. However, you should wait at least 4–6 months (and up to a year) before transplanting the cutting to the ground.^{[20]
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- Gently loosen the soil in the pot with a hand shovel or trowel so it can be easily removed. Place the bamboo into a hole slightly larger than the bamboo root system. Replace the soil around the bamboo and water it thoroughly.

Section 3 of 6:

Rooting Culm Cuttings in Water

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Cut a bamboo culm into sections with at least 2 nodes. The nodes are the ringed area on the main stem, or culm. If you can, try to choose sections that already have branches growing from the nodes. Cut the bamboo at a 45° angle as best you can with a sharp knife, hand saw, or chainsaw.^{[21]
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- Sterilize the knife with household disinfectants, such as diluted bleach or rubbing alcohol, before cutting the bamboo stalk.
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Submerge the bottom node in a pot of water in a well-lit area. Cut any leaves off of the bottom node, then place the cutting in water. The bottom node should be completely underwater so that it has the maximum area for roots to develop. Keep the bamboo in an area where it gets indirect sunlight for 6 hours and temperatures stay above 55 °F (13 °C).^{[22]
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- If possible, use a clear container so you can see the roots develop.
Standing water will lose oxygen quickly. Changing the water ensures that your plant will continue getting the nutrients it needs to keep growing.^{[23]
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Move the cutting to a pot once the roots are 2 in (5.1 cm) long. It will take several weeks for the roots to develop from your cutting. Once the roots are around 2 in (5.1 cm) in length, move the cutting into a pot or the ground to continue growing.
- Plant the cutting so the roots are at least 1 in (2.5 cm) under the level of the soil.

Section 4 of 6:

Can you grow bamboo from seed?

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Bamboo doesn’t flower often—some species only flower every 30–70 years!—so seeds are fairly rare. On top of that, many home growers find that bamboo is very challenging to grow from seed. It’s more common to propagate bamboo from cuttings or divisions.^{[24]
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Section 5 of 6:

How do I know if my bamboo is clumping or running?

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Examine the growth pattern. Clumping bamboo tends to grow in close bunches, often in a circular bunch. The new bamboo spreads gradually, and each new shoot grows up about 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) away from the bamboo cluster. Running bamboo spreads quickly, and new shoots can appear 20–30 in (51–76 cm) or more from existing bamboo culms.^{[25]
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- Look at the stems: Most clumping bamboo varieties have smooth, round stems, while most running bamboo varieties have ridges or grooves.
- Running bamboo is fast-growing, and it can quickly overtake an area. It’s often considered invasive and may spread to neighbors’ yards within just a few years.

Section 6 of 6:

How do you propagate lucky bamboo?

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The best way to propagate lucky bamboo is through cuttings. Lucky bamboo isn’t actually bamboo—this popular houseplant is a species of Dracaena. To propagate a lucky bamboo plant, use a sharp knife or pruning shears to separate an offshoot from a main stalk. Remove the bottom set of leaves, then place the cutting in water or soil to root.
- It takes about a month for lucky bamboo cuttings to develop roots.
EXPERT TIP

Ryan Glynn, CPA
Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper
Ryan Glynn is a Plant Specialist, Interiorscaper, and the Founder of Chicago Plants, LLC. He specializes in houseplant care, interior plant-scaping, and gardening. Ryan and Chicago Plants have been featured in several media outlets such as TimeOut Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. Ryan holds a BBA and Master’s degree in Accounting from The University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ryan Glynn, CPA
Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper

Propagate lucky bamboo once you have a stalk that’s 5–6 in (13–15 cm) long. Then, just chop the stalk at a node and put it in water, and it will quickly start to develop roots.

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I have a yard full of bamboo. I want to cut some and put it in a bowl, like you see in stores. How do I do this?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

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Expert Answer

The bamboo sold in stores as “lucky bamboo” isn’t actually a true bamboo. The bamboo growing outdoors likely isn’t the same type but may be able to be grown as a look-a-like. Cut a branch with at least 4 nodes. Put it into water or pebbles filled with water.

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How soon do the cuttings need to be prepared? I found a perfect batch of bamboo in the woods, but it is two hours from my home.

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

The cuttings will be fine for the 2 hour drive home. Don’t wait longer than 5 or so hours to prepare the cuttings. Wrap the fresh cuttings with a damp cloth to keep them moist.

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How long does it usually take for the roots to start growing?

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Roots will start to grow and establish within 4 to 6 weeks, but bamboo should not be moved or transplanted until 4 months after you take a cutting.

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