Is bamboo a grass? Yes, bamboo is a true grass, a giant, woody member of the grass family Poaceae. It has hollow stems, jointed nodes and narrow leaves, just like lawn grass, but its stems harden into canes.
Is bamboo a grass? How it works
Bamboo grows from underground stems called rhizomes, and each new cane shoots up from them. Buffalo and kikuyu lawns spread in a similar way, only on a much smaller scale.
- Bamboo belongs to the grass family, and botanists place it in a woody tribe of its own.
- Each cane has hollow sections separated by solid nodes, the same joint pattern you see in a grass stem.
- New shoots emerge from rhizomes, so a single clump can send canes up well away from the parent plant.
- Running types spread by long rhizomes, while clumping types stay in a neater, slowly widening clump.
- Leaves are slim and grass-like, and they drop and renew through the year rather than all at once.
Where bamboo is used in Australian gardens
Gardeners use bamboo where they want height, privacy or movement. Check which type you are buying, because a running bamboo can pop up across a fence line in a few seasons.
- Plant clumping types as privacy screens along a boundary, leaving room for the clump to widen over time.
- Use smaller clumping varieties in large pots on a patio, where the container controls the roots.
- Build screens beside pools and courtyards, but keep canes clear of pipes, paths and drains.
- Grow bamboo as a windbreak on exposed Northern Beaches blocks, where its flexible canes handle gusts.
- Choose bamboo canes for stakes and trellises, using cut stems from a trusted supplier rather than wild patches.
Bamboo vs lawn grass: sizes and specs
Bamboo and lawn grass share a family but behave very differently in the garden. This table compares them without quoting heights, which vary by variety.
| Feature | Bamboo | Lawn grass |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae (grasses) | Poaceae (grasses) |
| Stem | Hard, hollow, woody cane | Soft, thin blade and stem |
| Height | Tall, depending on variety (indicative — check the plant label) | Kept short by mowing |
| Spread | Running or clumping rhizomes | Runners, stolons or tufts |
| Care | Thinning canes and managing spread | Mowing, feeding and watering |
| Cost to install a lawn | Not applicable | Sydney turf laying $17 to $46 per m², typically $29 (October 2026) |
Related terms
- Poaceae: the grass family that includes lawn, cereal crops and bamboo.
- Rhizome: an underground stem that sends up new shoots, as seen in bamboo and kikuyu turf.
- Warm-season grass: grass that grows best in summer, such as buffalo lawn and Sir Grange zoysia.
- Cool-season grass: grass that stays green in cooler months, such as tall fescue.
- Stolon: a creeping above-ground stem that spreads lawn grasses such as Empire zoysia turf and Wintergreen grass.
FAQ: is bamboo a grass questions
Is bamboo a grass or a tree?
Bamboo is a grass. It looks like a tree because its canes harden and grow tall, but botanically it belongs to the grass family and has no true wood. Its tall canes are hollow stems, and new shoots come from underground rhizomes.
Can you mow bamboo like a lawn?
No. Bamboo is a woody grass that grows as upright canes, so a mower will damage the blades and the plant. Cut canes with loppers or a saw, wearing gloves and eye protection, and keep children and pets clear while you work.
Is bamboo a weed in Sydney?
Running bamboo can spread beyond your boundary and cause neighbour disputes, and some types are treated as weeds near bushland. Check your council’s rules before planting, choose clumping types and confirm the plant label first.
Compare lawn options in our turf varieties guide, or see our lawn mowing and edging service in Sydney if you want help keeping grass tidy.
