When to Germinate Bamboo Seeds

Bamboo seeds can be germinated any time of the year indoors in a consistently controlled environment. The Fall and Winter months are an optimal time to germinate bamboo seeds for stress-free growth and development indoors until they are ready to be planted outdoors in Spring.

Germinating Bamboo Seeds in Temperate Zones

For those living in temperate climates up to and including Zone 9, where outdoor temperatures during the cold months may fall below freezing, an optimal time to germinate bamboo seeds is from October to February. Bamboo that is germinated from seed indoors during these typically colder months can be ready to plant outdoors by the following Spring, and in many locations by April.

Indoor bamboo seed germination during the colder seasons works particularly well for most temperate regions in North America, Europe, and corresponding latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, with a distinctive cold season when temperatures may drop below freezing.

Young bamboo plants can be transplanted from their starter pots to a permanent location in the garden landscape when they are about 16-22” tall, and when there is no danger of extended frost or freeze. Most young bamboo attain this height by the 4th or 5th month. Germinating your bamboo seeds in Fall and Winter ensures you’ll have a head start on incrementally hardening your young bamboo plants with some time out of doors in preparation for Spring planting when they are no longer at risk of a prolonged frost/freeze.

Typical Timeline from Germination to Landscape

Weeks 1-2 : Seed germination

Weeks 3-8 : Transferred to soil; seedling development; primary leaves emerge; height 2-6"

Weeks 9-12 : Secondary culms emerge; height 6-8"

Weeks 13-16 : Transplanted to pot; height 9-12"

Weeks 17-20 : Continued plant/root growth and development; height 13-20"

Weeks 20+ : Height 20"+; incremental hardening and planting outdoors after all threat of extended frost/freeze

With this typical timeline, bamboo seeds germinated in October will likely be ready to plant the following April in temperate zones.

Germinated Indoors ---> Planted Outdoors

January ---> May
February ---> June
March ---> July
April ---> August
May ---> September
June ---> October
July ---> November or April
August ---> April
Sept ---> April
October ---> April
November ---> April
December ---> April

Undertaking your cold hardy bamboo seed germination in Fall and Winter allows you to take advantage of your regional plant zone, seasonal temperatures, and environmental conditions and easily coordinate that with the growth rate, traits, and characteristics of your bamboo seedlings. Fall/Winter indoor bamboo seed germination with outdoor planting in Spring makes it possible for you to seamlessly transition your bamboo from emerging seedlings to a thriving landscape within a matter of months.

While most young bamboo plants will be ready for permanent planting outdoors by their 4th or 5th month, Fargesia bamboo seeds and Borinda seeds are typically slower to germinate so they might require some additional time to achieve transplant readiness. On the other hand, many of the Fargesia are very cold hardy, and those can often be incrementally hardened and planted out of doors a little sooner in cooler early Spring temperatures.

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, while having the added benefit of transitioning their young bamboo plants out of doors during most seasons of their year. Because there is no risk of damaging frost or freeze, and overnight temperatures typically remain moderate, there is little need for hardening young bamboo plants to withstand significant temperature changes during what is considered their cooler seasons.

However, tropical gardeners should incrementally expose young nursery/indoor plants to the more intense sunlight and higher temps found at more southern latitudes. Always protect young seedlings from intense midday sun, and water young bamboo plants daily when daytime temps are hot. Be especially watchful for dual exposure to high temperatures and wind, which can quickly stress any plant, young bamboo plants included. Monitor the potential for reflected or retained heat from adjacent surfaces, and resituate young plants that show any signs of heat stress.