Homeowners are being urged to check their gardens immediately for signs of bamboo plants spreading after a woman in Surrey discovered it had spread into her neighbour's garage. Bamboo can grow incredibly rapidly and, left unchecked, can tear through floors and walls and damage plumbing.
This was almost the case for 66-year-old Jill, from Woking. Jill had employed a landscaper 15 years ago and had the plant placed in her garden. Her landscaper told her the plant was controlled and could not spread. However, years later, her neighbour mentioned a strange plant growing on their side of the fence.
Bamboo shoots appeared in neighbour's lawn and garage
These were bamboo shoots, from the same bamboo Jill had planted in her garden all those years ago. At first, neither party were concerned - but then bamboo shoots began appearing in the neighbour's lawn, then through the boundary fence and into the garage wall and roof. The bamboo displaced the guttering and began to grow inside the building.
During removal work undertaken in both gardens by Environet, the team discovered that a root barrier had been installed around the original bamboo plant, which had degraded over time, rendering it completely ineffective.
Jill said: “I was aware that bamboo could be invasive, but our gardener reassured us at the time and we didn’t give it another thought for 13 years. Even when our neighbour first mentioned it coming through on their side, we didn’t fully understand the extent of the problem.
“It was a real shock to discover bamboo growing inside their garage, but once we saw what was happening and the speed the problem was developing, we knew we needed to get it dealt with quickly. Thankfully, we’re on good terms with our neighbours, and they’ve been very understanding!”
Bamboo can be almost impossible to get rid of
Bamboo can be a challenge to remove as it spreads through long underground roots which can travel undetected beneath lawns, paving, flower beds and fences. It’s often used along boundaries for screening and privacy, but this means it can easily spread between properties. Even cutting bamboo back will not get rid of it, as it continues to spread until it is physically removed from the ground.
New data from invasive plant specialist Environet shows that boundary encroachment made up 33% of its bamboo enquiries so far this year, up from 30% in 2025. By comparison, only 12% of Japanese knotweed enquiries involved encroachment during the same period. This suggests bamboo is almost three times more likely than Japanese knotweed to spread into neighbouring properties.
Environet data puts the average cost of professional bamboo removal with a guarantee at £6,200. If left unchecked, bamboo can quickly become expensive to deal with. Removing it early, before it spreads and damages gardens, sheds, patios or paths, can help keep costs down.
Despite these risks, many people are still unaware that bamboo can be invasive. YouGov research commissioned by Environet in 2025 found that only 35% of British adults knew bamboo could physically damage property, and just 23% knew it could lead to legal claims if allowed to spread.
Environet director Emily Grant said, “Bamboo is unusual because there can be such a long lag between planting it and it becoming a problem. A homeowner might see very little change for years, so naturally, they assume it’s staying put, but this can change quite suddenly. With no apparent warning, it can start spreading rapidly and sending new shoots out way beyond the original planting area. By the time they emerge in a neighbour’s garden or close to a building, the underground spread may already be extensive. Jill’s experience shows how easily homeowners can be caught out.”
How to protect your property from bamboo
Check regularly for warning signs, such as shoots appearing in new locations or displaced paving stones. If you’re concerned, speak to your neighbour early. Ask whether they know what type of bamboo it is and whether it’s showing signs of spreading.
If bamboo crosses over, act quickly. Tell your neighbour immediately in writing and ask them to arrange a bamboo survey to determine the best course of action. Early intervention will reduce costs in the long run. As a last resort, or if your neighbour refuses to remove the bamboo, install a bamboo-proof root barrier to protect your garden. If it’s already encroached, you may be able to recover the cost from your neighbour. It must be extra strong, 0.5 metres deep, and have no gaps or weak points.
