Bamboo Companion Plants – 6 to Love & 9 to Avoid!

In the quest for a flourishing garden, the selection of bamboo companion plants stands out as a pivotal decision for any urban gardener. Steve, an enthusiast deeply rooted in the art of companion planting, knows too well the importance of choosing the right neighbors for bamboo. With a backyard transformed into a vibrant ecosystem, Steve advocates for the symbiotic relationships between plants to promote sustainability and eco-friendliness. In this guide, we delve into the six plants that share a beneficial relationship with bamboo and the nine that should be kept at bay, all while fostering a garden that’s both visually stunning and environmentally conscious.

Bamboo Companion Plants

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

The peppery blooms of Nasturtium make it a fantastic companion for bamboo. Its ability to repel pests while attracting beneficial insects supports bamboo’s growth. Nasturtiums thrive under similar conditions, preferring well-drained soil and partial shade, which aligns with bamboo’s needs.

• Planting Instructions:
  1. Select a site near your bamboo where nasturtiums can receive partial sun to light shade.
  2. Prepare the soil by loosening it and ensuring it is well-draining.
  3. Plant nasturtium seeds directly into the soil, about 1/2 inch deep, spaced at least 10 inches apart.
  4. Water gently and keep the soil moist until germination, which usually occurs within 10-14 days.
  5. Once established, nasturtiums require minimal care, much like bamboo, making them low-maintenance companions.

Marigold (Tagetes spp.)

Marigold, with its vivid colors and pest-deterring capabilities, is another excellent ally for bamboo. Its strong scent wards off many pests that could harm bamboo, while its aesthetic appeal enhances the overall look of the garden.

• Planting Instructions:
  1. Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade, adjacent to your bamboo plants.
  2. Prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter to improve drainage.
  3. Sow marigold seeds directly in the ground or start them indoors if preferred, placing them 1/4 inch deep.
  4. Water the seeds well and keep the soil consistently moist until germination.
  5. Marigolds are drought-tolerant once established, similar to bamboo, requiring only occasional watering.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Lemongrass, with its tall and fragrant foliage, complements bamboo perfectly by enhancing the garden’s aesthetics and offering additional pest repellent qualities. Its strong citrus scent is particularly effective against mosquitoes and can help protect bamboo from pest invasions.

• Planting Instructions:
  1. Choose a sunny spot near your bamboo plants, as lemongrass thrives in full sun.
  2. Ensure the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter.
  3. Plant lemongrass either from seed or as small plants, spacing them about 24 inches apart to allow for their wide spread.
  4. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during hot, dry periods.
  5. Lemongrass and bamboo both enjoy similar conditions, making them effortless to grow side by side.

Ferns (Polypodiopsida)

Ferns are an excellent choice for creating a lush, tropical feel in your bamboo garden. Their preference for shaded areas and moisture-rich environments mirrors that of many bamboo species, making them harmonious companions.

• Planting Instructions:
  1. Identify shaded areas near your bamboo that receive minimal direct sunlight.
  2. Prepare the soil by adding plenty of organic compost to increase moisture retention.
  3. Plant ferns at the same soil depth as they were in their nursery pots, spacing them according to their expected size at maturity.
  4. Water thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent soil moisture.
  5. Ferns’ natural preference for similar environments makes them low-maintenance companions for bamboo.

Hostas

Hostas, with their beautiful foliage and shade tolerance, pair wonderfully with bamboo, providing a stunning underplanting option that thrives in similar conditions.

• Planting Instructions:
  1. Select areas around your bamboo with partial to full shade.
  2. Enrich the soil with organic matter to improve moisture retention and drainage.
  3. Plant hosta rhizomes with the growing tips just below the soil surface, spacing them about 15-30 inches apart, depending on the variety.
  4. Water well after planting, and keep the soil consistently moist.
  5. Hostas and bamboo share a preference for shaded, moist conditions, facilitating their care.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger adds not only culinary value but also aesthetic appeal as a bamboo companion. Its preference for warm, humid conditions and partial shade aligns well with many bamboo varieties.

• Planting Instructions:
  1. Opt for a location that receives partial shade, mimicking ginger’s natural understory habitat.
  2. Work rich compost into the soil to ensure it’s fertile and well-draining.
  3. Plant ginger rhizomes horizontally, with the eye buds facing upward, about 2-4 inches deep.
  4. Water consistently to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
  5. Ginger and bamboo together create a microclimate that supports their mutual growth needs.

Discover the full potential of your bamboo garden by integrating these companion plants. Each offers unique benefits that can enhance the health and beauty of your garden.

Bad Companion Plants for Bamboo

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.)

Eucalyptus trees, while majestic, are not the best neighbors for bamboo. Their allelopathic properties, which suppress the growth of surrounding plants through the chemicals they release, can be detrimental to bamboo. Additionally, eucalyptus’s high water demand can lead to competition, stressing both plants.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Eucalyptus releases substances that inhibit bamboo growth.
  2. Their root systems compete aggressively for water.
  3. Eucalyptus can overshadow bamboo, limiting its access to sunlight.

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

The Black Walnut tree is notorious for its juglone production, a compound harmful to many plants, including bamboo. Juglone can stunt bamboo growth or even kill it, making black walnut an unsuitable companion.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Juglone from black walnut roots, leaves, and nuts is toxic to bamboo.
  2. Its extensive root system competes for nutrients and water.
  3. The dense canopy can overly shade bamboo, inhibiting its growth.

Pine Trees (Pinus spp.)

Pine trees create an acidic environment through the needles they shed, which can significantly alter the soil pH. Since bamboo prefers a neutral to slightly acidic soil, the intense acidity from pines can hinder its growth.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Pine needles increase soil acidity beyond bamboo’s tolerance.
  2. Pine roots compete with bamboo for water and nutrients.
  3. The thick canopy of pines can limit the sunlight reaching the bamboo.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Fennel is known to be allelopathic like eucalyptus, releasing compounds that can inhibit the growth of nearby plants, including bamboo. Its strong root system also competes with bamboo for nutrients and water.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Allelopathic properties of fennel can suppress bamboo growth.
  2. Competes for essential nutrients and water in the soil.
  3. Can attract pests that might also affect bamboo.

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

While Sunflowers are stunning and beneficial for pollinators, they are not the best companions for bamboo. Sunflowers can also exhibit allelopathic characteristics, potentially inhibiting the growth of plants around them.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Sunflowers may release chemicals that hinder bamboo growth.
  2. Their large roots systems aggressively compete for nutrients.
  3. They can shade smaller bamboo varieties, affecting their sunlight intake.

Mint (Mentha spp.)

Mint, with its vigorous growth and invasive nature, can quickly overtake the area around bamboo, competing for resources and potentially smothering young bamboo shoots.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Mint’s aggressive spread can dominate the space intended for bamboo.
  2. It competes for water and nutrients, potentially starving bamboo.
  3. The dense foliage of mint can also limit airflow to bamboo, promoting disease.

Cottonwood (Populus spp.)

Cottonwood trees, with their rapid growth and extensive root systems, pose a threat to bamboo through intense competition for water and nutrients. Their large stature and shading capability can also diminish sunlight availability for bamboo, impacting its growth negatively.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Cottonwoods’ aggressive roots outcompete bamboo for essential resources.
  2. They can overshadow bamboo, reducing its sunlight exposure.
  3. The constant shedding of cottonwood leaves and branches may smother young bamboo plants.

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)

Rhubarb, while a popular garden plant for its edible stalks, is not an ideal companion for bamboo. Rhubarb requires a lot of nutrients from the soil to support its large leaves and stalks, leading to competition with bamboo for these essential resources.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Rhubarb’s high nutrient demands can deplete the soil, leaving less for bamboo.
  2. Its large leaves can shade out smaller bamboo plants, limiting their growth.
  3. Rhubarb and bamboo have differing water requirements, which can lead to over or under-watering of one plant when trying to accommodate the other.

Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Heather is known for its preference for acidic soils, which contrasts with the neutral to slightly acidic soil preference of bamboo. Over time, the presence of heather can lead to a gradual acidification of the soil, making the environment less hospitable for bamboo.

• Why to Avoid:
  1. Heather can alter soil pH to levels that are unfavourable for bamboo.
  2. Its dense rooting can interfere with the root spread of bamboo.
  3. Heather’s competitive nature for nutrients and water can stress bamboo plants.

To create a thriving bamboo garden, understanding the complexities of companion planting is key. Avoiding these incompatible plants ensures your bamboo receives the optimal environment for growth.