Do you dream of an attractive, soothing, and tropical balcony where you can relax in peace? With bamboo on the balcony, you can transform a dull outdoor space into a luxurious, green oasis in no time. Bamboo has been an incredibly popular balcony plant for years. This is not surprising, as its elegant, rustling stems and deep green leaves immediately bring atmosphere, movement, and character to your elevated terrace.
Many people living in apartments with balconies look for a pleasant way to reduce visibility from neighbours. While a railing provides plenty of light, it can sometimes feel a bit open. Bamboo is the ideal solution. It grows beautifully dense, stays green even in winter, and forms a natural windbreak and privacy screen. In this article, you will discover which types of bamboo are suitable, how to best care for them, and how to cleverly design your balcony.
Why bamboo on your balcony is a smart choice
Bamboo is known for its strong and stylish appearance. While many other plants lose their leaves in autumn, leaving a bare balcony, bamboo remains a fresh eye-catcher all year round. It's a low-maintenance plant that instantly gives your outdoor space a modern look.
The main advantages of bamboo:
- Green and privacy all year round: Bamboo does not lose its leaves in winter. This means you enjoy a dense, green screen and optimal shelter throughout all four seasons.
- Atmospheric and soothing sound: When a gentle breeze blows on the balcony, the fine leaves of bamboo create a soft, rustling sound. This immediately evokes a relaxed holiday feeling.
- Extremely strong and winter hardy: Quality bamboo can withstand wind well and survives harsh frosts in the Netherlands without problems.
- Easy to maintain: Bamboo requires hardly any complicated pruning or complex feeding. With sufficient water, it practically grows by itself.
Important: Always choose non-spreading bamboo (Fargesia)
If you choose bamboo on your balcony, there is one golden rule you absolutely must remember. Always choose a non-spreading bamboo species, officially known as Fargesia. Spreading types (such as Phyllostachys) produce underground runners that are so strong they can break plastic pots or planters.
Fargesia grows neatly in a clump and does not produce aggressive rhizomes. Here are a few popular varieties that thrive fantastically on the balcony:
1. Fargesia 'Rufa'
This is a very well-known and reliable species with light green leaves and elegantly arching stems. It doesn't grow too tall and spreads nicely, making it very suitable for a dense privacy screen.
2. Fargesia 'Jumbo'
Looking for bamboo with larger, fresher green leaves? The 'Jumbo' has very full, bushy growth and immediately gives your balcony a lush, tropical look.
3. Fargesia 'Jiuzhaigou' (Red bamboo)
Want something unique on your balcony? This variety develops beautiful red-purple stems in the sun. This creates a stunning contrast with its green leaves.
Cleverly utilizing space on a balcony
Bamboo at height can catch a lot of wind. Because the plants can grow quite tall, they need a stable, heavy base that won't easily tip over during a summer storm. At the same time, on a compact balcony, you don't want to place large, round pots in the middle of the floor where you'll constantly trip over them.
To furnish your balcony practically and safely, it's smart to use the railings of your balustrade.
A rock-solid base on the balcony floor
Our unique Vercony planter is the ideal solution for bamboo on a balcony. You simply slide this planter through the railings of the fence, securing it firmly on the balcony floor. Because the planter extends partly outwards, you don't lose valuable walking space on the balcony floor. The planter is anchored between the railings on the ground, ensuring your bamboo remains sturdy even in a strong storm.
Combining with other pots for variety
Bamboo has a very sleek and modern look. To make the overall impression a bit more playful, you can easily combine the Vercony planter on the balcony floor with light hanging pots on the top rail or a few smaller flower pots on the side. For example, fill these additional pots with colorful hanging plants or ornamental grass. This creates beautiful layering on your balcony, with bamboo as the green, calming backdrop.
Practical care tips for bamboo in a planter
Although bamboo is a very easy plant, there are a few things to keep in mind when growing it in a container at height. These tips will keep your bamboo fresh, green, and full.
1. Plenty of water on warm and windless days
Bamboo has a large leaf surface and therefore evaporates a lot of moisture, especially if there is a strong wind on the balcony. Water regularly in spring and summer. Make sure the potting soil always feels slightly moist. Do you see the bamboo leaves curling up? That's a clear cry for help from the plant that it's thirsty!
2. Good drainage is essential
While bamboo loves moisture, it dislikes wet feet. If a layer of water remains at the bottom of the container, the roots can rot. Our Vercony planter is designed so that excess watering and rainwater can easily drain away, ensuring your bamboo's roots always stay healthy.
3. Nutrition for a fresh green color
Give your bamboo some organic fertilizer or bamboo-specific feed in spring and mid-summer. This ensures the leaves retain their deep green color and stimulates the production of new, strong stems.
Step-by-step plan: How to plant bamboo on the balcony
Ready to transform your outdoor space into a tranquil, green haven? Follow this simple step-by-step guide for a flying start:
- Step 1: Place the Vercony planter in position. Slide the planter through the railing onto the balcony floor so it is firmly anchored.
- Step 2: Fill with quality potting soil. Use a nutritious, well-structured potting soil that retains moisture well but also drains properly.
- Step 3: Plant the Fargesia bamboo. Remove the bamboo from its nursery pot, gently loosen the root ball a little, and place the plant at the correct depth in the planter.
- Step 4: Firmly press down the soil. Fill the rest of the planter with potting soil and press it down firmly around the root ball.
- Step 5: Water abundantly. Immediately after planting, give a generous splash of water so that the roots make good contact with the soil.
Turn your balcony into a tropical oasis with Vercony
With bamboo on the balcony, you choose a stylish, timeless, and evergreen solution that offers you a lot of privacy. The gentle rustling of the leaves and the fresh green color make your balcony the ultimate place to unwind. With Vercony's innovative planter, you immediately create the most sturdy and space-saving base on your balcony floor. Plant the non-spreading bamboo, combine it with some cheerful flower pots if desired, and enjoy your own secluded paradise at height all year round!
Frequently asked questions
1. Which bamboo is best suited for a balcony?
Always choose a non-spreading bamboo, such as Fargesia, for a balcony. This type of bamboo grows in a beautiful, full clump and does not produce underground runners that could damage your pot or planter. Within the Fargesia family, varieties like Fargesia 'Rufa' or Fargesia 'Jumbo' are very popular. They remain beautifully green in winter, grow nicely dense, and instantly give your balcony a soothing, natural look.
2. Can bamboo be placed in a planter on the balcony floor?
Yes, bamboo does very well in a spacious planter. Since bamboo can grow quite tall and catch a lot of wind, a stable base is important. Our Vercony planter stands firmly on the balcony floor, preventing it from easily tipping over in a strong gust of wind. Moreover, a spacious planter on the floor provides enough depth for the roots, allowing the bamboo to grow healthy and strong.
3. How do I ensure sufficient privacy on my balcony with bamboo?
Bamboo is the ideal plant if you want to create more privacy on your balcony. Due to its dense, fine leaves, bamboo forms a beautiful green hedge that blocks views from neighbours or passers-by. Place the Vercony planter along the edge of your balcony and let the bamboo stalks grow upwards. This way, you naturally enjoy shelter without having to install a solid fence.
4. How much water does bamboo in a pot on the balcony need?
Bamboo has quite a lot of leaves and therefore evaporates a relatively large amount of moisture, especially on sunny or windy days. Therefore, always keep the potting soil slightly moist, but prevent the roots from sitting in a layer of water. Ensure that excess rainwater can drain through the bottom of the planter. Do you notice the leaves of your bamboo starting to curl? Then the plant is thirsty, and it's time for a generous splash of water.
5. Can bamboo be left outside on the balcony in winter?
Yes, Fargesia bamboo is excellent winter-hardy and retains its green leaves even during the coldest months. In a pot or planter, the roots can dry out a bit faster during extreme frost than in the open ground. Our planter on the balcony floor offers good protection, but during prolonged, severe frost, it's smart to move the planter closer to the warm wall of your home. On frost-free days, give a small amount of water occasionally to prevent the plant from drying out.
