Will Bamboo Grow Through Concrete?

Many people ask themselves on what ground can bamboo grow through. Below is a discussion on what bamboo can grow through. Many people wonder if bamboo can grow through surfaces like concrete, gravel, plastic, cement, or wood. Let’s explore the topic and see where bamboo can thrive and where it cannot.

Bamboo won’t grow through concrete as bamboo sprouts are not strong enough to break through the solid hard concrete. If your concrete is cracked or thin, then a bamboo sprout can sneak through. The sprouts can also poke through fresh or thin asphalt.

Bamboo grass grows well in neutral, sandy loam soil whose organic content is high. The roots of Bamboo are not deep hence sourcing their nutrients in the first 12 inches of soil. It thrives well with an adequate layer of organic matter and loose soils for better drainage, and it grows very fast.

You could be worried if your bamboo will grow and spread through the concrete sidewalk and cross over to your neighbor’s yard. Your neighbor could be wondering about the same thing.

It can grow around your yard aggressively, especially the running type. You may need to consider putting up a barrier if the clump has spread already. The barrier installed should be 2 to 3 inches deep or above the ground. Once you install the barrier, you can keep an eye on the top of the barrier once per year.

What Type of Bamboo Can Grow Through Concrete?

There are two types of Bamboo which are the clumping and running type. These two have the potential to poke through concrete.

The clumping bamboos normally spread gradually from the edge sending a shoot from the root that turns up immediately into a fresh bamboo stalk. It tends to come to a halt after spreading a while. It is not normally an issue that can cause substantial damage, and it won’t grow through concrete.

On the other hand, we have the runner bamboo that is more aggressive as it produces shoots that can run 8 to 12 inches underground. The shoots later sprout new bamboo stalks vertically. Finally, the shoots spread out 3 to 5 more stalks depending on the weather condition per year.

The running bamboo shoots can pass through some weak spots or cracks in the concrete, hence send out bamboo sprouts through the concrete. The runners can also grow underground and finally pop up on the other side.

Old runner bamboos cannot grow under gravel, concrete, or asphalt roads but can easily grow under a thick sidewalk concrete.

How then does Bamboo grow through concrete? First, just like other plants, the sprout will squeeze through any cracks that it locates in the concrete. Then, in a matter of time, as it spreads, it will slowly push the concrete, separate, and crack it.

Can Bamboo Grow Through Cement?

Yes, bamboo can grow through cement. Running bamboo grows through any cracks that it finds in the foundation. As it thickens and matures, it pushes the cracks, damaging the house’s foundation, mostly cement.

The Bamboo can also do this to your neighbor’s house so be careful where you plant bamboo in your garden.

Clumping bamboo, if growing near a foundation and find cracks, will do the same. It pushes inward as it grows and matures next to the house-most of these cement and concrete foundations.

You are risking big for yourself and your neighbor if you have uncontrolled bamboo growing around your property. Therefore, you need to take quick prevention measures and install barriers to bring the spread of bamboo to a halt.

Can Bamboo Grow Through Gravel?

The normal bamboo grass will never grow in gravel as it needs soil to thrive, but bamboo grass will easily grow through gravel if it was planted in soil under the gravel.

The Lucky Bamboo is not real bamboo grass, will thrive in gravel. Most people grow it as a house plant. All you need to do is place your lucky bamboo cane inside a pot with gravel or rocks and water your plant.

Can Bamboo Grow Through Plastic?

Yes, the roots of running bamboo will grow through and break plastic unless the plastic material is unusually thick. The roots of running bamboo are strong enough to break through plastic, just like they do for the concrete and cement.

I’ve met people who have tried to install barriers for running bamboos to stop them from going to the neighbor’s yard, but all this ended up vain.

You must control the growth and spread of bamboo early in its life cycle.

Can Bamboo Grow Through Wood?

Running bamboo roots, in particular, can break through almost anything from wood to metal. Bamboo will definitely grow through wooden planks, beams, and benches. If bamboo doesn’t crack the wood, it will certainly grow around it.

However, if the wood stays for a long period, it will decay, and the running bamboo roots will break through the wood and continue to spread.

Summary

The bottom line is running and clumping types of bamboos can break through almost every surface.

To avoid worrying about the spread of bamboo around your property, or even your neighbors, is to install protective barriers around the bamboo garden.

You can fashion or buy effective bamboo barriers made from sheet metal, fiberglass, plastic, and concrete. Each material has its benefits and drawbacks as it will wear out in time.

For starters, make sure your barriers are buried at least 2 feet deep to stop bamboo sprouts from spreading underground. Whatever material you use for your barrier, make sure it’s one solid piece, as bamboo can and will find its way through any cracks.