Can you grow bamboo in the US? Yes, bamboo is often grown as an ornamental and for privacy screens by gardeners all across the United States. Bamboo cultivars that will grow or at least survive in at least 49 states and Canada are available.

So, let's do the math. Container-grown bamboo, on average, sells for $40 each. In a quarter acre, you can fit 2000 plants. Selling 2000 plants priced at $30 a piece will get you $80,000.

Clumping bamboos are probably best for most homeowners because they are not invasive. The most locally appropriate (north central Arizona) clumping species are the genus Fargesia. Running bamboos should be planted in large containers or with root barriers to control their spread.

Seabreeze bamboo (Bambusa Malingensis) is an excellent choice to create a natural living green privacy screen in your garden. A non-invasive clumping bamboo, it does not produce runners that spread across the garden. Seabreeze is a salt tolerant variety, it grows to about 35′ high and will stand cold down to the 20s.