The Ultimate Guide to Buying Artificial Bamboo Trees & Plants

Bamboo is a beautiful, fast-growing plant that’s as robust as it is popular. While we typically associate it with tranquil gardens or the huge bamboo forests in countries like Japan and South Korea, this plant is now becoming famous for its ability to provide an Eco-friendly material for a wide range of manufacturing applications, from furniture to clothes!

The one downside to bamboo is… it grows ferociously. If you’ve ever been out for a walk somewhere and seen a small (or, likely, not so small) bush of bamboo, it has escaped from someone’s garden and trying to take over the world. If you want to embrace bamboo in your home or garden, it’s best to choose the artificial kind or be prepared to start pruning. 

There’s now a wide range of artificial bamboo trees and plants available, so it’s well worth taking your time to research to find the right kind of bamboo for you. This article will explore sizes, potting, styling, and what to look out for when choosing your artificial bamboo tree. Firstly, let’s take a look at the various types of bamboo trees. 

What different types of bamboo plants are there? 

Maintaining plants and trees is a hobby for some people, but many of us don’t have the time (or patience!) to water, trim, prune, fertilise, and re-pot a host of plants every month. Others have allergies to certain plants and want to avoid a sneezing fit and runny nose every time they enter a room with a plant, so artificial plants are the way to go for many people. For those who appreciate the look of real bamboo but don’t want to deal with the headache of maintaining a real bamboo tree, artificial bamboo trees are an excellent choice. 

Artificial bamboo plants are generally found in two styles, the pale-stemmed bamboo that we’re so familiar with, with lots of leafy green fronds growing from the stem, and green-stemmed bamboo, which tends to have stubbier, thicker leaves that grow close to the stem.

You can also find black bamboo, which has a dark, almost black stem, with the same leafy look as the paled-stem variety.

For artificial bamboo, the biggest difference besides the stem colour is in the arrangement of the stems. Some are densely packed, like the natural growing bamboo varieties which “clump” together, and ones spaced evenly for decorative purposes.

When deciding what type of bamboo you want to go for, consider foliage density, where you want it to go, and how tall you want it to be. The artificial bamboo plants with stems all starting from the centre of the pot work best as a houseplant or patio plant, while well-spaced artificial bamboo plants are often best to use as a natural screen.

What size bamboo plant should I buy?

The size of your artificial bamboo tree is just as important as the variety you select, especially if you go for one with thick shoots (leaves). When you’re choosing which bamboo variety to get, measure the room or outside area you want your bamboo to live in. If you were selecting a real bamboo plant, you’d have to consider it propagating and spreading, but since it’s artificial, you can guarantee that it’ll stay the same size! This means you can measure the exact space for your plant and be sure that it’ll look perfect.  

 The size you choose depends on the function you’d like the tree to serve. For example, if your home already has a naturally airy, tropical feel, a shorter, wider artificial bamboo plant may look best.

If, on the other hand, you’d prefer something that makes a statement, then set aside a fair amount of space in a living room or hallway, and go all in! Don’t be afraid to go for something on the taller side, but if you have a narrow entryway or hallway, consider the width of your bamboo tree. It’s easy to think that brushing past a plant every time you come in and go out won’t be a big deal, but you’ll begin to feel as though your bamboo is in the way very quickly. Luckily, bamboo trees are inherently narrow so there’s always something you can find, even if you’re working with limited space. Our artificial bamboo tree matches these requirements perfectly.

When taking measurements, it’s not just about height. It’s also worth looking at the width of the garden or room your bamboo will go in. If you want to go for a bigger bamboo tree, you’ll want to think about where you want most of the shoots and leaves to be. Is your tree going to be the main event in a communal space or simply an additional piece of decoration for a bedroom or home office? If you want it to blend in, stick to narrower plants so they don’t have too much presence.

What size pot should I get for my artificial bamboo tree?

One of the upsides to having an artificial bamboo tree is that you don’t need to worry about re-potting it every few months! This leaves the choice of color, shape, and materials entirely up to you. You can choose to make your bamboo tree stand out in a living room or blend it in with the rest of your bedroom furniture.

For example, if you have decorated a room using neutral tones like white, beige, and cream, you may want to make your bamboo plant stand out by placing it in a boldly colored pot, or something with an eye-catching pattern. Similarly, if you want your plant pot to match the rest of your room’s decor, choose one of the most commonly occurring colors in the room and match it to that. (Why not browse our range of planters to find the perfect pot for your bamboo?)

Is there anything important I should look out for when buying an artificial bamboo tree?

When it comes to choosing the right bamboo tree for your home, the two primary factors to consider are cost and location. Since artificial plants don’t require fertilizers, water, or new pots, they don’t generally cost as much in the long run. For this reason, you can probably afford to invest in something that will last a long time. Most artificial plants look and feel cheap, so as a general rule, it’s good to avoid something that looks too good to be true. It probably is.

In terms of location, you can place any artificial plant outside for a short while if you need to make space for a gathering or party, but if you want to buy an artificial bamboo tree for your garden, patio, or balcony, you’ll want to make sure it’s UV-protected. This means that it won’t deteriorate quickly if it’s exposed to too much sun. If you can’t find something that’s the right size and it’s UV-protected, then you may need to consider keeping it inside instead. 

Another consideration is the stem. Many artificial bamboo plants have a real bamboo stem which adds to the natural look of the plant, so this is always something to look out for.

What is the best way to style my artificial bamboo tree?

Just like the colors, materials, and sizes you choose, styling your home with plants is an art form that can express your individuality wonderfully. Whether you’re using a bamboo tree to emphasize an existing theme or to bring about a sense of elegance, there are endless ways you can style this leafy plant. Here are some of our favorite ways to style your new artificial bamboo plant or tree:

1. Use a small artificial bamboo plant to liven up a bathroom space - they add a clean and refreshing feel to any room, but they work particularly well in bathrooms with the space. Having a relaxing bath near a bamboo tree transports you to the spa every time!
2. Place your bamboo tree in front of kitchen or dining room windows to allow for some privacy without relying on blinds and curtains. It also helps transition from inside to outside, which is a beautiful way to marry the two spaces.
3. Wrap a string of fairy lights around your bamboo tree for a whimsical feel. This works especially well if you have friends over and want to give your home a relaxed yet welcoming feel in the evenings!
4. Put a large bamboo plant in the corner of a bedroom or guest room for a tropical feel. You don’t need to worry about spilling soil or water on the carpet as you move it to the shower for a drink and back again, so just enjoy and dust once in a while!
5. Select a medium-sized bamboo plant for a garden, patio, or balcony. This welcome splash of color makes any outdoor space feel breezy and fresh! It can also help with a sense of privacy, even if you’re in the center of the city.
6. If you’re working with limited space, invest in a plant stand and place your bamboo plant on top. This is a great way to create visual floor space without using up any more room. Plus it’s another opportunity to flex your interior design muscles and pair your plant stand with your sofa, coffee table, or lamp. Make sure you choose a smaller artificial bamboo plant to do this.
7. Place a miniature bamboo plant on a shelf alongside books - this combination of leaves and paper is always a winner! You’ll often find these in a green bamboo stem style.
8. Arrange your bamboo plants on either side of your mantel. Just make sure you’re careful if you use the fireplace, but for an easy, summer look, you can’t go wrong!
9. If you have a large bamboo tree and don’t want all the hassle of replacing it with an artificial fir tree at Christmas, why not decorate your bamboo with Christmas lights and baubles instead? Of course, this will only work if you have a fairly leafy tree, but in the right setting, it can look great.  
10. Place a row of bamboo trees along a wall or in a planter around the edge of your garden. Not only will they protect your garden from prying eyes but they’ll also turn your outdoor space into your own garden of Eden! Who wouldn’t want to feel like they’re in a Zen garden in Japan every time they step outside? 
11. Combine water with foliage by placing your potted artificial bamboo trees in amongst a water feature. The variation of height and texture will make for an extremely satisfying visual in any garden.

Where can I buy an artificial bamboo plant or tree?

Whether you’re looking for a single artificial bamboo plant or a selection for your garden or home, Artificial Eden can help you select something perfect for you. We stock an excellent variety of premium artificial plants and trees that give a realistic look and feel. To view our full range of artificial trees and plants or to contact us, please visit our website.