Bamboo (Bambusa / Phyllostachys Clumping vs. Running Varieties)

As anyone in the local tropicals community will tell you, bamboo can be a fantastic plant selection for our climate and useful in a variety of ways — just make sure you get the clumping variety or you’re in for a Bermudagrass-like experience!

Mature Canopy Size

Varies widely by species:

• Clumping: 8–25 ft tall, 3–10 ft wide clumps

• Running: 15–40+ ft tall, spreads indefinitely if not contained

Growth Rate

Fast — many species add 2–5 ft per year under ideal irrigation

Water Requirements (Minimum vs. Maximum Growth)

• Minimum: Moderate — bamboo is not desert-native, needs regular water

• For Maximum Growth: Deep irrigation 2–3x per week during summer; mulch heavily to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool

Ecological & Functional Benefits

• Provides dense evergreen screens and sound barriers

• Cools microclimates through heavy transpiration

• Excellent habitat for birds and pollinators when in bloom (rare in Phoenix)

• Sustainable biomass and craft material

Edible / Harvest Season / Nutritional Benefits

Yes (select species) — new shoots are edible after proper cooking to remove bitterness and toxins

• Harvest in spring as new shoots emerge

• Nutrition: fiber, vitamins, minerals, low in calories

• Tip: Not all ornamental bamboos have tasty shoots — check species before eating

Minimum Chill Hours

Not applicable

Maintenance Requirements

Moderate to high — needs frequent irrigation and periodic thinning of old canes

Leaf litter cleanup required under dense stands

May need frost protection in unusually cold winters

Thorny or Not?

No

Deciduous or Not?

Evergreen — some leaf drop year-round, heavier in spring flush

Root System

• Clumping Bamboo: Forms tight clumps; roots expand slowly outward

  • Non-invasive, safe near patios, pools, and fences

  • Best for smaller yards or contained screens

• Running Bamboo: Aggressive underground rhizomes that can spread far beyond planting zone

  • Invasive if not controlled with root barriers or containers

  • Best for large properties where spread is desired or easily contained

Native Range

Various species are native to Asia, Africa, and the Americas (not Sonoran Desert). Most cultivated garden species come from Asia.

Miscellaneous Notes

• Best Uses in Phoenix:

  • Clumping Bamboo: Ideal for narrow screens, courtyards, and around pools where space is limited and roots must behave. Species like Bambusa multiplex (“Hedge Bamboo”) or Bambusa oldhamii (“Giant Timber Bamboo”) do well with irrigation.

  • Running Bamboo: Best for large rural properties or controlled planters if you want a fast-spreading grove. Risky for small urban yards.

• Protect roots with thick mulch to reduce heat stress

• Afternoon shade improves survival in the hottest parts of the Valley

Questions about Bamboo?

Comment below or on our social media pages @permascaping.