Bamboo is a versatile and beautiful plant that can make a great addition to any outdoor space, Growing bamboo in a customized planter box allows you to highlight its attractive foliage and create a stunning focal point in your garden Building a DIY planter box for bamboo is also a fun weekend project that can be customized to fit your space and design style
Choosing the Right Bamboo for Container Growing
Not all bamboo is suited for growing in planter boxes. When selecting bamboo, opt for clumping varieties rather than running types which can easily spread out of control. Good choices include:
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Golden Goddess – A compact clumping bamboo that reaches 6-10 feet tall, Features lush green leaves with yellow accents,
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Alphonse Karr – A clumping bamboo growing 10-15 feet tall Has attractive green and yellow striped canes
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Dwarf Buddha Belly – A small clumping bamboo reaching 3-6 feet. Known for its unique swollen stems.
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Fargesia Robusta – A clumping bamboo that can grow 10-12 feet tall. Has a tidy, compact shape.
Choose a type suited for your climate and space limitations. Most varieties grow best in warm climates with full sun exposure.
Planning the Size and Design
When designing your bamboo planter box, the size and drainage are two of the most important factors. Bamboo requires lots of space for its vigorous root systems.
For a single bamboo plant, aim for a planter box at least 2-3 feet wide and 2-3 feet deep. This gives the roots ample room to spread out. For multiple bamboo plants, size the box accordingly larger.
Incorporate drainage holes into the bottom of the box and consider adding a layer of gravel at the base. This prevents waterlogging which bamboo hates.
You can build a simple wooden box for functionality or get creative with materials like concrete, galvanized steel, or ceramic to make the planter box a decorative showpiece. Add bamboo-inspired design elements for an Asian flair.
Gathering Materials and Tools
Building a planter box is a straightforward DIY woodworking project. You’ll need:
Materials:
- Cedar or redwood boards (naturally rot-resistant)
- Bamboo poles or slats for accents
- Wood screws and glue
- Gravel or rocks for drainage
Tools:
- Saw (chop saw, jigsaw or handsaw)
- Drill
- Sandpaper
- Safety gear (gloves, eye protection, etc.)
Cedar and redwood are ideal wooden materials because they resist decay and stand up well to weather, moisture, and insects. For added protection, use exterior wood screws and apply a natural sealant once constructed.
Constructing the Basic Box
Follow these steps to assemble a simple rectangular planter box for your bamboo:
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Cut boards to the desired size. A basic box can be made with four panels for the sides.
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Pre-drill holes at the corners to prevent splitting. Use exterior wood screws to connect the boards, forming a four-sided box shape.
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Use sandpaper to smooth any rough edges. Wipe away excess sawdust.
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Drill large drainage holes in the bottom panel of the box. Add pebbles or small rocks to improve drainage.
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Apply wood glue and attach desired bamboo accents like bamboo poles or slats around the upper perimeter.
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Use a natural wood sealant if desired to protect the box from moisture damage. Allow sealer to fully dry before planting.
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Fill bottom with quality potting mix and transplant bamboo, planting at the same depth as its original container.
That’s all there is to it! Customize your DIY planter box by adding shelves, wheels for mobility, or decorations like ceramic tiles, stones, or carvings. Let your creativity run wild!
Caring for Bamboo in a Container
Growing bamboo successfully requires providing the right care. Follow these container growing tips:
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Sun: Give bamboo lots of full sun, ideally 8 hours or more daily.
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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soaked. Water when the top few inches become dry.
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Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer.
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Pruning: Trim back overgrown stems and remove any dead or damaged canes.
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Re-potting: Repot bamboo in a larger container every 2-3 years as it outgrows its space.
Monitor moisture carefully and drain away excess water to prevent rotting. In winter, reduce watering frequency and discontinue fertilizer until spring.
With the proper growing conditions and care, bamboo thrives beautifully in planter boxes to create a lush, tropical look.
Decorative Bamboo Planter Box Ideas
Beyond a basic wooden box, there are many creative ways to construct planters for displaying your bamboo:
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Stacked stone planter for a natural, organic look. Use mortar to secure.
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Rustic galvanized steel tub or stock tank for an industrial, farmhouse vibe.
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Concrete box or bowl for a sleek, modern statement. Stylish and durable.
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Ceramic or terracotta pot for an Asian-inspired feel. Add etchings or paint patterns.
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Repurposed wine barrel, cut lengthwise to make a long rectangular planter.
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Tiered planter with staggered terraces and platforms of different heights.
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Add wheels to a planter box for mobility so you can move the bamboo around your patio.
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Incorporate water features like mini ponds or fountains for a tranquil, Zen atmosphere.
Building a customized planter box is a fun project that allows you to match the materials and style to your unique tastes. Get innovative with the design to showcase gorgeous bamboo greenery!
What are Bamboo Planter Boxes and How Do You Use Them?
Any box big enough and strong enough to hold your new bamboo can be used to make a bamboo planter box. Popular choices of materials include:
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. If you have stones or old pot chips, put them at the bottom of the planter to help water drain better.
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. He lines the planter with mesh and leaves drainage holes in the bottom to keep the soil from running out.
Bamboo Containers
FAQ
Can bamboo grow in a planter box?
What is the best container for bamboo?
How deep should a planter be for bamboo?
How to build a bamboo planter box?
Bamboo poles are the main material for building a bamboo planter box. They can be purchased at many home improvement stores, garden centers, or online. The size and quantity of bamboo poles needed depend on the size of the planter box. Typically, 2-inch diameter bamboo poles are used for the upright walls of the planter box. 2. Wood boards
How do you make a planter box?
Make a beautiful, long planter box that works great for decks and small areas with this DIY planter box step-by-step guide. All you need are exterior-rated wood glue, 1.25″ exterior screws, a hybrid wood protector, 1″ x 6″ x 96″ board, 1″ x 3″ x 96 board, large gravel pea gravel, and garden soil.
How long should a bamboo planter be?
For this reason, it is really best to start running bamboo in planters of at least 30” by 30”. Clumping bamboo grown in a 20” by 20” planter and running bamboo grown in a 30” by 30” planter should be divided or repotted about every five years.
What are the best bamboo planter boxes?
Our favorite bamboo planter boxes come from Bamboo Garden: the Sugi Bamboo Planters. These planters are something special with their trapezoidal shape, designed specifically for bamboo. They’re handcrafted with a mix of high-quality Japanese and Western Red Cedar, and reinforced with sturdy 60 mil HDPE Bamboo Barrier.