Native Plant Alternatives to Bambusa vulgaris (Common Bamboo)

Bambusa vulgaris, commonly known as common bamboo or golden bamboo, is considered invasive in some parts of the world.

Originally native to Asia, Bambusa vulgaris is a fast-growing plant that has been introduced to many parts of the world as an ornamental plant, for erosion control, and for its use in construction and crafts.

In environments where it’s not native and there are no natural controls, Bambusa vulgaris can spread rapidly and form dense thickets, outcompeting native vegetation for resources. It can quickly take over pastures, roadsides, and natural ecosystems, making it difficult for native plants to survive.

Common Bamboo is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.