Golden bamboo is a perennial with finely textured green leaves and attractive golden-yellow stems. It is considered a running bamboo and is often planted to create privacy between properties because it grows quickly (often as much as 2 to 3 feet per year). It is one of the quickest ways to make a dense hedge or screen without planting fully grown shrubs. It also provides bold vertical interest in landscape beds or the contained space between two driveways.

Golden bamboo is hardy in zones 6 through 10 but is not recommended for all landscapes as it can be hard to control. It is easier to keep in check in northern climates, but it may not be as evergreen in these zones. If temperatures drop to 5 degrees Fahrenheit or below, golden bamboo will likely drop its foliage, and the canes may die—but don't fret. The roots will, most likely, send up new canes in the spring.

Where to Plant Golden Bamboo

Golden bamboo is native to China but has been grown in the United States since the late 1880s when it was introduced in Alabama. It prefers moist, well-draining soil and thrives in sunny spots where it can get about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. You can also grow golden bamboo in partial shade or poor soil, but the results may be uneven and less robust.

Due to its height, fast growth rate, and abundance, golden bamboo is often grown as a privacy fence or living hedge. Its lush, delicate leaves are great for muffling nearby sounds. When grown in close proximity, its canes knock together and create a pleasant, soothing sound that makes a melodic addition to modern, naturalistic, and Japanese-style gardens.

How and When to Plant Golden Bamboo

You can plant golden bamboo in spring or fall; in the right conditions, it will quickly grow to full height and density in just a few years. When planting a nursery-grown golden bamboo plant, dig a hole as deep as the plant's container and twice as wide as the root ball. Place the plant in the hole, then backfill it with soil mixed with mulch. Water deeply. Subsequent waterings should keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Install root barriers around these perennials when planting them in the landscape unless you are prepared for a seemingly infinite spread. Or plant each one in a large plastic pot sunk into the soil with the rim of the pot extending 3 to 5 inches above the ground. This will help prevent golden bamboo from creeping into the surrounding soil. Space your golden bamboo plants at least 3 to 5 feet apart to accommodate future growth or wider if you want a less dense, airier look.

Golden Bamboo Care Tips

Light

Golden bamboo grows best where it gets full sun for at least six to eight hours a day, though where it gets very hot, some late-afternoon shade is beneficial. It will do fine located in partial shade, but its growth will be slower.

Soil and Water

Golden bamboo is fairly drought tolerant, but optimally, it will have moist, well-drained soil. Keep it watered, but don't let the soil get waterlogged. When the weather is very hot, golden bamboo may need additional watering a few times a week if it's in a container or once a week if it's grown in the ground.

Temperature and Humidity

Golden bamboo thrives in hot and humid areas, but will do fine in less-ideal conditions. It will even grow in cold weather, though not as quickly or as tall as it does where it's warm.

Fertilizer

Fertilize golden bamboo in early spring and midsummer. In milder climates, it can also be fertilized in early fall. Since golden bamboo is a grass, use a lawn fertilizer that doesn't contain weed killer, following the manufacturer's instructions, or use compost or manure.

Pruning

Cut away golden bamboo's dead or weak stems periodically after it's established. If it's getting bulky, you can thin it out as needed. To highlight the tortoise-shell coloring of the stalks, remove leaves that grow along the lower portions near the base.

Golden bamboo is tough to eradicate once firmly planted in the ground. Be persistent. Cut plants as close to the ground as possible. Watch for new growth and repeat cutting several times during the growing season as necessary until underground rhizomes die. Chemical herbicides are occasionally effective, too. Follow application directions carefully.

Potting and Repotting Golden Bamboo

Avoid unwanted spreading by planting golden bamboo in a container at least 24 inches deep and wide. The pot should be wood or unglazed terra-cotta with drainage holes at the bottom. Place the pot on a sturdy, impenetrable surface, such as concrete, to prevent the ground from being invaded. After planting, cover the soil surface with two inches of mulch to help it retain moisture. Water a potted golden bamboo three times a week during the summer, more often if the temperature reaches 90°F, so the soil doesn't dry out.

Pests and Problems

The main problems golden bamboo can have are root rot and sooty mold. Sooty mold is caused by pests like mealybugs and aphids. Keep your plants trimmed to allow for air circulation and water at the base, not in the middle, to avoid root rot.

How to Propagate Golden Bamboo

To grow golden bamboo from a stem cutting, cut a section of cane about 10 inches long at a 45-degree angle. It should have at least three nodes. After dipping it in rooting hormone, plant the section in quality soil up to the first node. Mist the soil daily and fill the center of the cane with water, periodically refilling it. After a few weeks in bright sunlight, your cane will have grown taller, and it will be ready for planting in a few months.

Types of Golden Bamboo

'Koi' Golden Bamboo

'Koi' golden bamboo is a rare variety with golden canes with green stripes. The canes have a maximum diameter of less than 2 inches and internodal growth that gives them a knobby appearance. It's a great candidate for container planting and often grows a little slower than other varieties.

‘Albovariegata’ Golden Bamboo

This type of golden bamboo is a hardy, clumping variety with yellow canes and narrow, yellow-green leaves that sometimes have white stripes. It typically grows from 6 to 30 feet tall and is hardy in zones 6 through 10.

‘Holochrysa’ Golden Bamboo

The sturdy Holochrysa golden bamboo canes will turn from green to a bright golden color much earlier than other golden bamboo cultivars, especially when grown in ample sunlight. As the Holochrysa reaches heights of 12 to 20 feet, its leaves will stay bright and evergreen, providing a pretty contrast to the yellow canes.

Companion Plants for Golden Bamboo

Acer Palmatum 'Beni Kawa'

A stunning maple that looks beautiful year-round, the ‘Beni Kawa’ also likes full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil. It typically grows to only 15 feet tall and is happy in zones 5 through 9.

Hakone Grass

A low-maintenance perennial grass, Hakone grass makes a lovely ground cover for the shadier areas leading up to your bamboo plantings. It is hardy in zones 5 through 9 and features slender green leaves that almost look like bamboo leaves growing up from the ground.

Rhododendrons and Azaleas

Rhododendrons and azaleas (reclassified as genetically similar to rhododendron shrubs) are beloved for their glossy green foliage and brightly colored blooms. Both rhododendrons and azaleas grow best in partial sun but can happily take the shade that a neighboring crop of golden bamboo may provide. They are hardy in zones 3 through 10.

Euphorbia

Euphorbia is a large plant genus that includes annual and perennial species. Look for dwarf perennials like the ‘Ascot Rainbow’ to pair with your bamboo for its foliage in showy clusters of variegated leaves that are green with yellow edges. It’s a compact plant, typically growing only 6 to 20 inches tall, and is hardy in zones 9 through 11.