Rather, we have listed temperatures which experience has shown to be the lowest that plants growing under favorable conditions can be expected to tolerate with only minor leaf damage. Bamboos can be grown even in areas where the culms freeze to the ground every winter. Even if the tops winterkill, they generally remain upright and with the leaves attached, so they remain effective as a visual screen. With the exception of the smallest species, however, bamboos will not develop their full potential size or strength if they regularly suffer serious winter injury. With thorough mulching, they should be root-hardy into somewhat colder zones.
Bamboos generally insist on well-drained soil.
They prefer moist, rich, soil, but are fairly tolerant of varying soil conditions. They are considered moderately drought-resistant, once established. Many bamboo species can be grown either in the ground or as container plants. It is usually easier to keep bamboos healthy and prospering by growing them in the ground. For some bamboos which are considered especially good container plants, see Pseudosasa and Bambusa .