How to Stop Invasive Bamboo from Spreading and Remove It for Good

Bamboo can be an attractive addition to a garden, but if it’s the wrong variety, it can quickly become an invasive nightmare. Many gardeners plant bamboo thinking it will stay put, only to find it aggressively spreading years later and becoming invasive bamboo. Here’s why bamboo spreads, how far it can go, and the best methods—both physical and chemical—to control and remove it.

Why Does Bamboo Suddenly Start Spreading?

Bamboo, particularly running varieties, spreads through underground rhizomes (root-like structures) that extend outward and send up new shoots. It can remain well-behaved for years before suddenly taking off. Some key reasons this happens include:

• Delayed Expansion: Rhizomes can build energy for years before expanding rapidly.
• Winter Damage: If cold weather kills off the top growth, the plant may compensate by sending out more rhizomes.
• Soil Disturbance: Digging nearby or removing competing plants can trigger faster growth.
• Moisture and Warmth: Heavy rain or a mild winter can encourage new growth in spring.

Once bamboo starts spreading, it can extend up to 6 meters (20 feet) per year, depending on the species and conditions.

Physical Removal: Digging It Out

For total removal, digging up bamboo is the most effective method—but it’s also the most labor-intensive. Here’s how to do it properly:

1. Cut the canes down to ground level to make digging easier.
2. Dig out the rhizomes, ensuring you remove every piece, as even small fragments can resprout.
3. Use a root barrier if you want to keep some bamboo but prevent further spread.
4. Monitor for regrowth—any new shoots must be cut immediately to starve the remaining roots.

Chemical Control: What Works in the UK?

If digging isn’t practical, chemical control may be necessary. However, not all herbicides work on bamboo, and UK law restricts certain products.

1. Glyphosate (Best for Home Use)

• Legality: Legal in the UK for home use (e.g., Roundup, Gallup).
• Strength: Use a 41%+ glyphosate concentration and mix at double the usual strength.
• Application:
  • Cut the bamboo to ground level and immediately paint glyphosate onto the fresh cuts.
  • Spray any regrowth while it’s young and actively growing.
  • Multiple applications over several months may be needed.

2. Triclopyr (Best for Woody Plants & Cut Stumps)

• Legality: Legal in the UK for home use (e.g., SBK Brushwood Killer).
• Strength: Use a brush killer concentrate (8-10% triclopyr).
• Application:
  • Apply directly to freshly cut stumps.
  • Less effective as a foliar spray but works well for stump treatment.

3. Imazapyr (Banned for Home Use in the UK)

• This powerful herbicide stays in the soil for a year and is illegal for amateur use.

Final Tips for Eradicating Bamboo

• Persistence is key—both digging and chemical control require repeated efforts.
• Apply herbicides in late summer or autumn, when bamboo is storing nutrients in its roots.
• Cover the area with a thick tarp or mulch for at least a year to smother regrowth if digging isn’t an option.

Invasive (Running) Bamboo Species 🌿🚨

These species spread aggressively through underground rhizomes and can take over a garden if not controlled.

1. Phyllostachys aurea (Golden Bamboo) – One of the most common invasive bamboos, spreads rapidly.
2. Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) – Beautiful but highly invasive if not contained.
3. Phyllostachys bambusoides (Giant Timber Bamboo) – Large and fast-spreading.
4. Phyllostachys edulis (Moso Bamboo) – Used for timber, but spreads aggressively.
5. Pleioblastus spp. – Small but invasive, often used as ground cover.
6. Sasa spp. – Spreads aggressively and is difficult to eradicate.
7. Semiarundinaria fastuosa (Temple Bamboo) – Tall and invasive if not contained.

Clump-Forming (Non-Invasive) Bamboo Species 🌱✅

These species grow in tight clumps and spread slowly, making them easier to manage.

1. Fargesia murielae (Umbrella Bamboo) – Great for UK gardens, cold-hardy.
2. Fargesia nitida (Fountain Bamboo) – Dense, bushy, and well-behaved.
3. Fargesia rufa – Compact and non-invasive, ideal for hedges.
4. Fargesia robusta – Slow-spreading and great for screening.
5. Bambusa multiplex (Hedge Bamboo) – A tropical clumper that stays in one place.
6. Bambusa ventricosa (Buddha Belly Bamboo) – Decorative and non-invasive.
7. Thamnocalamus crassinodus – A rare clumper, good for cooler climates.

Conclusion

Bamboo can be a relentless spreader, but with the right approach—whether digging it out, applying herbicides, or using barriers—you can stop it from taking over your garden. If you’ve had issues with invasive bamboo, tackling it sooner rather than later will save you a lot of hassle!

Have you ever had to remove bamboo? What worked for you?