Grass that looks like bamboo can trick you in harms way. Here's the ultimate guide to identify, use, advantages, disadvantages of major bamboo like plants

Frost grass (Spodiopogon sibiricus), above, brings a bamboo-like look to the garden with horizontal leaves, which take on purple to burgundy tints in fall. Plants grow 4 to 5 feet tall. Give this grass sun to light shade in fertile, well-drained soil on the moist side. Hot, dry conditions kill frost grass. Hardy in Zones 4-8.

Jan 19, 2025 · Heavenly bamboo is a type of bamboo native to the United States and Canada. It is a hardy, fast-growing and often invasive plant that can grow up to 8 feet tall. The leaves are dark green and glossy with a yellow margin and can be used as a food source for the caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly.

Oct 12, 2023 · Giant Cane grows in damp soil and has a stalk much like bamboo. It’s native to Asia and can grow up to 35 feet tall. Also, very much so like bamboo, the Giant Rane replicates via nodes on rhizomes, which shows that it’s part of the grass family.

Aug 17, 2023 · Have you ever noticed a plant in your neighbor’s garden or by the side of the road that looks like bamboo, but you can’t quite put your finger on it? To help you identify these plants, we’ve compiled a list of 8 plants that look like bamboo with photos to help you spot them. Learn more and get inspired to add one of these plants to your ...

Bamboo Muhly (Muhlenbergia dumosa): This ornamental grass has arching bamboo-like stems with billowy light green foliage and grows 5 to 6 feet tall. Bamboo muhly is an excellent non-invasive substitute for bamboo.

Jul 9, 2023 · These bamboo look-alikes can be great alternatives for those seeking the bamboo-like appeal in their gardens or indoor spaces. In this article, we will introduce you to a variety of outdoor and indoor plants that look like bamboo but are not. One of the most famous bamboo-like plants is sugarcane, or Saccharum officinarum.

Jul 7, 2023 · Arundinaria gigantea, or Giant Cane, is a tall perennial bamboo-like grass native to North America. It is perfect for creating privacy screens in gardens and can tolerate various climate zones. Arundinaria gigantea thrives in moist soil conditions and can tolerate full sun or …

Jan 5, 2025 · Arundo donax, or giant reed, is a towering grass that can soar up to 20 feet, making it an excellent choice for maximum privacy. Its tall, bamboo-like stems add an exotic touch to any landscape. This grass is particularly effective in wet areas, often used to stabilize soil around ponds or streams.

Jan 17, 2025 · Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') The purple fountain grass is an ornamental grass used in the landscape for its reddish foliage and showy purple-pink flowers. The leaves of this 3- to 4-foot-tall plant are narrow, curving, linear blades with a beautiful red cast. This grass can grow and thrive in zones 9 through 11.