When to Germinate Bamboo Seeds

Bamboo seeds can be germinated any time of the year in consistently controlled indoor environments regardless of the location or season. Subsequently, even those living in the northern latitudes can germinate their bamboo seeds during the colder Fall and Winter months for optimal seedling growth and development indoors, and healthy young bamboo plants ready for planting outdoors Spring through Fall. 

 

Germinating Bamboo Seeds in Northern Zones

For those living in colder northern climates up to and including USDA Zone 9, where outdoor temperatures during the cold months may fall below freezing, any time of year is an  optimal time to germinate bamboo seeds indoors.

We germinate bamboo seeds year round, and plant the young plants outdoors between late April (after our final freeze) and November (before the first freeze). There are a few months of the year when we are maintaining young plants indoors for a somewhat longer period of time while we await Spring planting. We have yet to identify any downside to having beautiful little 'boos glowing up our indoor spaces during the notorious Pacific Northwest gray and dreary months.

If your goal is to have young bamboo plants in the ground by late Spring, then germinating your seeds before February gives you ample time to nurture your seedlings indoors until outdoor conditions are risk-free.

When you plan to plant your young bamboo plants outdoors during the warmer months June through November, give yourself about 4 months for seed germination and for your young bamboo plants to achieve sufficient height of at least 12" for incremental hardening and planting in the ground outdoors after all danger of frost or freeze. Generally speaking, you can plant young bamboo in containers and planters somewhat earlier than in the ground.

Indoor bamboo seed germination during the colder seasons works particularly well for most locations in the Northern Hemisphere with distinctive cold seasons when temperatures may drop below freezing.

Please refer to Germinating Bamboo Seeds in our Resource Library for our recommended germination process and instructions. 

 

Bamboo Seed Germination in Sub-tropical and Tropical Zones

All of the fortunate gardeners enjoying year ‘round growing conditions closer to the Equator and in the Southern Hemisphere can also germinate bamboo seeds at any time of the year indoors, or outdoors when 24-hour average temperatures remain in the 67-78F range that is most conducive to germination, with 75F being optimal.

Because there is minimal risk of damaging frost or freeze, and overnight temperatures typically remain moderate, there is typically little need for hardening young bamboo plants to withstand extended cold temperature lows during what is considered the cooler seasons in the southern latitudes.

Gardeners in typically hot southern regions should incrementally expose young nursery/indoor plants to the more intense sunlight and higher temps, shielding young plants from the most intense mid-day sun.

Always protect young seedlings, even those considered tropical varieties, from intense midday sun, and water young bamboo plants daily when daytime temps are high. Be especially watchful for dual exposure to high temperatures and wind, which can quickly stress any young plant. Monitor the potential for reflected or retained heat from adjacent surfaces, and relocate young plants that show any signs of heat stress.

Please refer to Germinating Bamboo Seeds in our Resource Library for our recommended germination process and guidelines.