Types Of Bamboo: Options, Prices, Installation Cost and Best Brands

Bamboo has surged in popularity as a sustainable, versatile material for both landscaping and home interiors. With over 1,500 species worldwide, bamboo offers remarkable diversity in size, color, and growth habits. Selecting the right bamboo type depends on your climate, space constraints, and intended purpose – whether creating privacy screens, garden accents, or durable flooring. This guide examines the major bamboo varieties available in America, their typical costs, installation considerations, and reputable brands to help you navigate your bamboo purchasing decisions with confidence.

Bamboo species fall into two primary categories based on their growth patterns: running and clumping. Understanding the difference is crucial for proper planning and maintenance.

Running Bamboo

Running bamboo spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes that can extend up to 15 feet annually. These varieties require containment measures like root barriers to prevent invasive spreading into unwanted areas. Popular running bamboo species include:

• Phyllostachys aureosulcata (Yellow Groove) – Reaches 30-40 feet with distinctive yellow stripe
• Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) – Prized for striking black culms, grows 20-30 feet tall
• Phyllostachys viridis (Green Bamboo) – Fast-growing timber bamboo reaching 40-60 feet
• Pleioblastus viridistriatus (Dwarf Green Stripe) – Compact 2-3 foot variety with variegated leaves

Clumping Bamboo

Clumping bamboo expands slowly in a circular pattern, typically growing only 1-3 feet wider per year. These non-invasive varieties are ideal for controlled landscapes and smaller spaces. Notable clumping bamboo species include:

• Bambusa multiplex (Hedge Bamboo) – Dense growth to 15-20 feet, excellent for privacy screens
• Fargesia rufa (Green Panda) – Cold-hardy with arching canes reaching 8-10 feet
• Bambusa oldhamii (Oldham’s) – Upright growth to 55 feet with large diameter culms
• Fargesia nitida (Blue Fountain) – Cold-resistant variety growing 12-15 feet with bluish culms

Bamboo Pricing Guide

Bamboo prices vary widely depending on species, size, and market availability. Understanding the cost factors helps in budgeting appropriately for your bamboo project.

Cost Factors

Several factors influence bamboo pricing:

• Rarity of species – Uncommon varieties command premium prices
• Size and maturity – Larger, established plants cost significantly more
• Container size – Plants in 3-gallon containers versus 25-gallon pots differ dramatically in price
• Season – Prices may fluctuate based on availability and demand throughout the year

Average Bamboo Plant Prices

Container Size	Common Species	Rare/Specialty Species
1-gallon	$20-$35	$40-$75
3-gallon	$40-$75	$80-$125
5-gallon	$75-$150	$130-$250
15-gallon	$150-$300	$250-$450
25-gallon	$250-$500	$400-$800+

For landscape projects, expect to spend $300-$500 for sufficient plants to create a modest privacy screen (approximately 15-20 feet) using 3-gallon containers. Premium or instant-privacy installations using larger containers can easily exceed $1,000-$2,500 for the same coverage.

Bamboo Installation Costs

Installation costs add significantly to the overall investment in bamboo landscaping. Both DIY and professional approaches have distinct considerations.

DIY Installation Expenses

For do-it-yourself installation, beyond the plant costs, additional materials include:

• Root barrier material: $2-$4 per linear foot for 30″ depth barriers
• Quality soil amendments: $20-$50 per cubic yard
• Mulch: $30-$60 per cubic yard
• Basic irrigation system: $100-$300 for a simple drip system

For a typical 20-foot bamboo hedge, DIY materials beyond plants might cost $300-$500. Root barriers are essential for running bamboo varieties to prevent unwanted spreading, representing about 30% of material costs.

Professional Installation

Professional landscapers typically charge the following for bamboo installation:

• Basic labor: $50-$100 per hour or $40-$60 per plant
• Root barrier installation: $10-$20 per linear foot (including materials)
• Site preparation: $300-$800 depending on conditions
• Advanced irrigation setup: $500-$1,500

Complete professional installation for a 20-foot bamboo privacy screen typically ranges from $1,500-$4,000, including plants, materials, and labor. High-end installations with mature specimens can exceed $5,000-$10,000.

Best Bamboo Brands and Suppliers

Quality matters significantly when purchasing bamboo. Reputable suppliers provide healthier plants, accurate species identification, and valuable cultivation advice.

Top Bamboo Nurseries

• Bamboo Garden (Oregon) – Extensive selection with over 300 varieties
• Lewis Bamboo (Alabama) – Specializes in cold-hardy varieties with nationwide shipping
• Bamboo Sourcery (California) – Premium selection focusing on landscape-quality specimens
• Tropical Bamboo Nursery (Florida) – Expertise in tropical and subtropical varieties
• Bamboo Headquarters (Texas) – Wide selection of drought-tolerant varieties

Most reputable nurseries offer consultation services and growing guides, which can be invaluable for first-time bamboo growers. Many provide shipping options, though local purchasing is preferable for larger specimens to reduce stress and transportation costs.

Bamboo Flooring Brands

For interior applications, these brands stand out for quality bamboo flooring:

• Cali Bamboo – Known for extremely durable strand-woven flooring (Fossilized® line)
• Teragren – Pioneers in sustainable harvesting practices with premium finishes
• Plyboo – Innovative bamboo architectural products including flooring and plywood
• EcoFusion – Specializes in color-infused bamboo flooring options
• Ambient Bamboo – Wide range of styles with formaldehyde-free options

Bamboo flooring typically costs $3-$9 per square foot for materials, with an additional $3-$5 per square foot for professional installation. Strand-woven bamboo commands premium prices but offers superior durability with twice the hardness of oak.

Selecting the Right Bamboo For Your Needs

Consider these critical factors when choosing bamboo for your specific application:

Climate Considerations

Cold hardiness varies dramatically between bamboo species, with tolerance ranging from USDA zones 5-11. Cold-hardy options include:

• Fargesia species – Many varieties withstand temperatures to -10°F or lower
• Phyllostachys aureosulcata – Survives to -15°F in protected locations
• Phyllostachys bissetii – Reliable to -10°F with good wind protection

For hot climates (zones 9-11), Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, and Gigantochloa species typically perform best. Always verify the cold hardiness rating before purchasing.

Space and Purpose Considerations

Match bamboo characteristics to your specific needs:

Purpose	Recommended Types
Privacy Screens	Phyllostachys vivax, Bambusa oldhamii, Bambusa multiplex
Container Growing	Fargesia rufa, Bambusa multiplex ‘Alphonse Karr’, Pleioblastus varieties
Small Gardens	Fargesia species, Sasa veitchii, compact Pleioblastus varieties
Timber/Construction	Phyllostachys bambusoides, Phyllostachys edulis, Dendrocalamus asper

For smaller spaces, always choose clumping varieties to minimize maintenance and spreading concerns. Running bamboos should only be planted where their spread can be contained or in large properties where their aggressive nature isn’t problematic.

Bamboo Maintenance Requirements

Understanding maintenance needs helps determine the true cost of bamboo ownership:

• Watering – Most established bamboos need 1-2 inches weekly; more during establishment
• Fertilization – Biannual application of balanced fertilizer promotes optimal growth
• Mulching – 2-3 inches maintains moisture and suppresses weeds
• Pruning – Annual thinning of older culms maintains appearance and vigor
• Containment – Running varieties require regular rhizome pruning unless barriers are installed

Ongoing maintenance costs average $100-$300 annually for a typical bamboo installation, primarily for mulch, fertilizer, and containment measures if needed. Professional maintenance services typically charge $200-$500 annually for routine care of established bamboo plantings.