Bamboos will grow in most reasonably moist soils, in sun or dappled shade.  A few prefer sheltered sites to exposed sites, but most can be successfully established anywhere.

The eventual total height of any particular species may vary  according to climate and conditions.

With regard to spread, most types will eventually send out underground runners from which a number of new culms will grow. These runners can be fairly easily pulled up, or a physical barrier can be used to block them. The genuses of Fargesia and  Shibatea are exceptions,since they do not send out runners, and these expand slowly outwards from their centre.