Bamboo Variety Affects Drought Tolerance
Both clumping and running bamboos can thrive in heat, but does one variety excel over the other in hot climates? Quoting bamboowish.com “Clumping bamboos typically possess superior adaptability to drought compared to running bamboos. However, it is crucial to note that the presence of a mature and established root mass is essential for bamboo to be considered drought tolerant. Following the initial full season, most bamboo plants do not require additional watering, although their growth may decelerate during exceedingly arid periods. Signs of drought stress include the yellowing and curling of leaves, which can be alleviated through comprehensive watering.” We have found that our drought tolerant bamboos enjoy some summer irrigation to look their best, but have been amazed at our bamboos (both clumping and running) ability to adapt to busted drip line or unintentional neglect. Having planted Vivax and Oldhamii bamboo in zone 9 California heat, we can vouch for their drought tolerance. Fargesia Robusta is another notable non-invasive (clumping) hardy bamboo that does exceptionally well in periods of drought. Fargesia Robusta makes an excellent privacy screen, and matures into a thick mass of green canes and a dense thicket of lush green leaves.
Many bamboo species are drought tolerant, and can thrive in hot and dry climates without draining your well. Though bamboo needs its share of water to get started, its massive rhizome root system allows it to thrive with limited irrigation once established.
How does bamboo survive hot summers? Bamboo has excellent adaptability, it can adjust its growth rate and resource allocation in order to survive and thrive in dry conditions. Bamboos deep and extensive root system stores water and nutrients just below the surface of the soil, cooling the surrounding air. This vast network of erosion resistant roots, acts as a reservoir by collecting and storing large amounts of water in its rhizomes and stems during the rainy season. Bamboo then returns this water to the surrounding soil during drought. Bamboo also utilizes conservation mechanisms like leaf shedding and waxy leaf coatings to further its resilience to drought.