Bamboo - red stem

Stylish, low-maintenance and a bit unusual, red bamboo is a great way to add a little drama to any outdoor space. Its stems are green when they first emerge and turn a brilliant red-purple as they age. It’s evergreen so adds year-round interest and makes a simple backdrop for other plants.

Like all bamboo, it grows fast. It’s perfect to use as a screen, either to provide privacy or shelter from wind, because it grows tall and dense. It will grow as big as you let it, so we advise keeping it in its pot rather than planting it in the ground. If you plant it in the ground you might find it takes over much of your garden. 

Kept potted, it’s really easy to look after. Water it enough to keep the soil lightly moist and cut back the stems if you ever feel like they’re getting too tall (they can reach two-metres). The stems make perfect supports for other plants, so you can reuse any you chop down.

Bamboo is a bit of a superstar plant. Mostly native to Asia and Australia, it can be used for all sorts of things, from food to building houses. Its sustainability is making the wood more and more popular.

Did you know?

Because it lasts for so long, bamboo is considered a symbol of friendship in India.