Recent research has found and developed the best varieties of bamboo for keeping successfully indoors and in pots. Because they are a relatively easy-care plant, they are an ideal choice for those who want to bring some of the garden and nature into their home. Indoor plants help to purify the air inside the house or apartment, create an informal, relaxed atmosphere in the home and can also lift your mood. Indoor bamboo plants are evergreen and perennial; they are the ultimate easy-care house plant.

Bamboo is a grass that has shallow roots, making it suitable for life in a container. Container-grown plants will not reach the same height as plants that are in the open ground, but in the case of bamboo, this makes the plants more suitable for growing indoors as some species of bamboo can grow very tall in their native habitat. Bamboo grown in a pot will not spread as prolifically as it does in the ground either but you still will need to allow enough space for a potentially tall plant.

In China, where most of the bamboo grows naturally, it is considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity. This is another reason why bamboo makes a popular house plant. You need to make sure that you situate your indoor bamboo plant in a well-lit part of the room but avoid a lot of direct sunshine in summer. While the plant needs good light for photosynthesis, direct sun in warmer months can burn the leaves and cause the plant to suffer.

Bamboo grows originally in a tropical region and needs plenty of moisture and humidity. To test whether the plant needs watering, simply poke a finger into the soil. If the soil feels damp, don't water; if it feels dry, give the bamboo plant a drink. To make sure it has sufficient humidity, stand the pot or container, in which you have your bamboo planted, on a bed of pebbles but don't allow the base of the pot to stand in water. Another strategy to ensure the bamboo stays healthy is to mist it with water from a spray bottle a few times a week. This raises the humidity and keeps the plant fresh and dust-free. Indoor bamboo plants will naturally shed some leaves from time to time so don't be concerned if this happens; it is a normal process and not a sign of a problem.

Plants growing in pots will use up the nutrients in the soil or potting mix, and you will need to give your bamboo plant some suitable fertilizer in spring to keep it growing strongly and healthily. If the pot isn't too heavy, it is also a good idea to take the bamboo outside during a rain shower in the warmer months. Rain contains minerals and trace elements that help the plant grow strongly; the rain water washes dust off the leaves and stems.

You will find a range of bamboos that are suitable for indoor culture so ask at your local plant nursery for the varieties that will suit your location the best. You might be able to find one of the flowering varieties of bamboo which add an extra dimension to your indoor plant.