Bamboo is a popular plant for gardeners, but it can quickly become a nightmare if not properly maintained. The plant’s rhizomes are incredibly robust and can cause damage to your propertyVita Molyneux Travel reporter and Sophie Law Deputy Editor Spare Time
09:58, 03 Sep 2025
Bamboo can become a huge issue in the garden(Image: HUIZENG HU via Getty Images)
With its lofty, slender stems and swift growth, bamboo is fast becoming a favourite amongst gardeners. This striking plant provides excellent coverage and its height makes it a fantastic alternative to traditional fencing.
However, if not properly managed, this rapidly growing plant can become a nightmare. It’s been known to dislodge paving stones, wreck driveways and even damage water and sewage pipes due to its incredibly sturdy rhizomes.
Rhizomes are the underground parts of the stems.
These aren’t roots but modified subterranean stems that function similarly to roots and grow horizontally through the soil.
Some types of bamboo are ‘clumping’, meaning their rhizomes grow closer to the main plant, according to the Express, reports the Mirror.
Other varieties are known as ‘running’, which means their rhizomes spread far and wide beneath the ground, and these can cause property damage.
They are robust enough to push through soil, crack pavement, and even infiltrate weak spots in building foundations.
During the growing season, bamboo can grow inches or even feet daily, and this rapid growth means that even a small clump of bamboo can quickly transform into a dense thicket that blocks out light and strangles any nearby plants.
You need to understand how to manage bamboo properly(Image: jia yu via Getty Images)
The thick roots of bamboo can absorb water and nutrients from the soil, leaving little for anything else, and the dense canopy of leaves will start to block out sunlight.
However, bamboo can still be a stunning addition to your garden – you just need to understand how to manage it properly.
Gardening expert Harry Bodell at PriceYourJob.co.uk has revealed his essential advice on preventing your bamboo from becoming invasive.
He explained: “It is a good idea to always look for a ‘clumping’ variety of bamboo.
“These types will grow in a tight clump and don’t send out the wild underground runners that can cause the problems we have discussed for your home and garden.
“They are a much safer option for home gardens than their running counterparts.”
If you choose running bamboo instead, make certain you install root barriers to stop it from spreading beyond your intended zone.
Harry explained: “You can purchase thick sheets made of strong plastic or metal, which should be buried around two to three feet deep into the ground.
“If you make sure that the ends overlap well and are sealed tightly, these sheets should form an effective barrier to stop rhizomes from finding a way to spread further into your garden and the rest of your property.”
If you already have bamboo that’s beginning to spread beyond where you intended it, you’ll need to act swiftly to control it.
One method is to excavate a trench around the area once or twice annually and cut back any rhizomes that try to cross it.
Another approach is to simply cut back any new shoots the instant you notice them emerging outside of the designated area.
This will progressively weaken the plant over time. Getting rid of bamboo entirely can be a mammoth task – it’s even more invasive than Japanese knotweed.
You’ll need to cut down all of the shoots and dig up as many rhizomes as you can.
This process will have to be repeated over several months or even years to eventually starve the plant. Particularly large or stubborn infestations may require you to seek professional help.
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