What Types of Bamboo Grow in New Jersey and Pennsylvania?
Temperate running bamboo is the most common type of bamboo found growing in New Jersey and much of the Mid-Atlantic. Species such as Phyllostachys aureosulcata (yellow groove bamboo) and Phyllostachys bissetii are well suited to NJ’s climate because they tolerate cold winters, seasonal freeze–thaw cycles, and a wide range of soil conditions. Unlike clumping bamboo, temperate running bamboo spreads through underground rhizomes that grow horizontally beneath the soil surface, allowing the plant to expand well beyond its original planting area over time.
In New Jersey, the active growth cycle of temperate running bamboo is highly seasonal. New canes typically emerge in the spring, often within a short window lasting several weeks. Once a cane emerges, it reaches its full height quickly and does not grow taller in subsequent years.
However, even when above-ground growth appears controlled or regularly cut back, the underground rhizome network continues to expand year after year. This is why bamboo can suddenly begin appearing in lawns, mulched beds, or near structures many feet away from the visible grove, especially in areas that are not frequently disturbed or mowed.
Because temperate running bamboo relies on an extensive underground rhizome system, long-term management in New Jersey requires more than surface-level maintenance. Simply cutting or mowing bamboo shoots may slow visible growth in small or newly planted areas, but it does not stop the spread of rhizomes in established groves. Over time, these rhizomes can travel significant distances, branching in multiple directions and forming dense networks beneath the soil. Understanding this growth behavior is critical for proper containment, compliance with local ordinances, and effective bamboo removal in residential and commercial properties throughout NJ.
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While most of the running bamboo in the Tri-State area are part of either the phyllostachys genus or pseudosasa genus of bamboo knowing the differences can help determine the best approach for your property. The best way to get more information is to setup an onsite evaluation. But we also put together some useful guides on the different types of bamboo in our climate zone.
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Some of the Most Common Types of Bamboo can be found below:
In-Depth Guide to Phyllostachys atrovaginata
In-Depth Guide to Phyllostachys bissetii
In-Depth Guide to Phyllostachys aureosulcata
In-Depth Guide to Phyllostachys Nuda