Big Leaf Bamboo Plant? The 73 Top Answers

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Giant Leaf Bamboo has the largest leaves of any bamboo species grown in the US, hence the name! It is very east to grow because it adapts to all planting sites. The leaves are large enough that the Chinese and Japanese have used them in cooking, wrapping food in them before steaming. They are also great for use in floral arrangements. This species is used in many countries for erosion control along flood plains. It makes a great indoor container plant as it adapts very well to low light. In new plantings, this species will suffer foliar damage at around 0 to 5 degrees F. On older, established groves, it remains evergreen to -10 with very little leaf damage.

Giant Leaf is a walking bamboo, but it spreads very slowly and is therefore not considered “invasive”. To control spread, step on new shoots once a year in spring, use a barrier in the ground, or plant in a container above or below ground. Root pruning, a bamboo root barrier, or growing plants in above-ground or underground containers are other methods to control the spread.

Gardener Direct stock bamboo fertilizer and potting soil made with biochar, a highly porous material that allows for long-term water and nutrient retention.

Used

Containers/Pots: Good

Craft: Good

Edible: Excellent

Hedge: Good

Inside: Excellent

Ornamental: Excellent

Privacy screen: Okay, but maybe too short

Specimen: Yes, slowly spreading

Wood quality: N/A

*Other special notes: The largest leaves of any bamboo crop. Excellent for shady areas.

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USDA Cold Zones: 6A-11 (5?)

Type: Ongoing, slow spread

Height: 7-10′ depending on location

Spread: 3’+

Straw Diameter: 1/2″

Sun: Shade or partial sun, 3 to 4 hours of sun is best

Soil: Well drained to well drained moist

Growth Speed: Slow spreader

Helpful related articles from our experts…

How to plant bamboo

How to fertilize and water bamboo plants

How to prune bamboo plants

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Some bamboos grow into large clumps, making them useful for screening, structuring, or as a focal point.

Bamboos are popular garden plants, grown for their rapid growth and architectural stems (culms). Some bamboos are perfect for use in tropical planting plans, while others are more suited to contemporary or urban designs. Some clumping species do well as a natural screen. There is a huge variety of bamboo plants ranging from black to yellow.

However, other species can quickly outgrow their allotted space and they can look unattractive if not cared for properly. If they get out of control, removing them can be virtually impossible.

How to grow bamboo

There are two types of bamboo: clump and running. Clumping bamboo plants grow in clusters. Running bamboos bear long underground stems, or rhizomes, from which new growth emerges, allowing them to colonize new soil. Most bamboos thrive in moist, well-drained soil. They can be grown in most soil types, but some thrive better in acidic soil—avoid wet, swampy, or dry conditions. Most bamboos prefer sun, but some species, like Sasa bamboo, can be grown in the shade. Plant your bamboo in the spring to encourage it to develop good roots and canes before it goes dormant in the fall. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season and allow some bamboo leaves to cluster around the base of the plants as they return nutrients, especially silica, to the roots and help the plants stay strong and healthy. Bamboo: Plant Jump Connections Bamboo

Cultivate Bamboo

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Types of Bamboo to Grow

Where to grow bamboo

Bamboo can be grown in almost any situation. Plant bamboo at the back of the border to add height, in your lawn to create a focal point, against a fence or wall to create a privacy screen, or as a modern hedge. You can also grow bamboo plants in a pot – some compact varieties do well in large pots, while other “walking bamboos” are best grown in a container to prevent them from growing uncontrolled.

How to plant bamboo

Walking bamboo can be invasive, so the best way to control its growth is by growing it in containers or digging a trench and lining it with pavers or other impermeable material to keep the bamboo from “walking”.

To plant clumping bamboo in the ground, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. Plant the bamboo so that its root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill with soil and water well.

Where to Buy Bamboo Online Gardening Express

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How to care for bamboo

Bamboo plants are hungry and thrive best when given a regular supply of liquid fertilizer from spring through fall. Remove dead leaves from the base of the plants, but leave some as they return the nutrient silica to the plant’s roots. It’s important to perform regular root inspections, especially if you’re growing running bamboo. Dig around the base of the plant and use a sharp spade to remove stray root growth to keep growth in check. In this video guide, Bowden Hostas’ Tim Penrose reveals his three golden rules for growing bamboo, including which varieties to grow if you’re worried about spreading, what to do with fallen leaves, and tips on how to she shares:

How to propagate bamboo

In spring, divide the bamboo clumps by separating pieces of root from the main root ball with a sharp spade. Transplant into soil and water well.

Growing bamboo: problem solving

Bamboos rarely suffer from pests and diseases. The main problem associated with growing bamboo is that running bamboos get out of control. Find out how to control the spread of running bamboo in our video above.

How to contain running bamboo

If your heart is set on growing a running bamboo then don’t panic, there are ways to stem its growth and prevent it from getting out of hand. The key is to prepare well and be vigilant from the start.

Dig a trench 40-60 cm deep and line it with overlapping impervious materials such as pavers, corrugated iron sheeting or a strong root barrier fabric. Make sure the barrier sits above ground level.

Plant the bamboo so that the root ball sits below the top edge of the trench. Fill in the bottom with soil and well-rotted manure or compost, being careful not to damage the rhizomes. Water well and mulch to hide the barrier proud of the soil surface.

Here’s our guide to buying the right bamboo for your garden, including choosing bamboo for privacy, low-maintenance bamboo and where to buy bamboo. Bamboo is available from garden centers and nurseries, as well as specialist nurseries. Keep in mind that you may have more choice if you buy your bamboo from a specialist nursery.

Research your bamboo’s height and spread, whether it clumps or runs, and whether it’s appropriate for your garden size. Bamboo suitable for shielding a wall or building is labeled “shielding bamboo” or something similar.

Make sure the culms are a uniform color. Look at the new growth and make sure the girth of each new culm is larger than last year’s – this indicates a strong plant that will gain vigor as it grows. Where to Buy Bamboo Online Burncoose

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Types of Bamboo to Grow

Bamboos are popular garden plants, especially in contemporary design concepts. There is a huge choice. Here we explain the different types of bamboo, how to grow and care for them, and how to prevent them from growing out of control.

Chusquea

Clumping Chusquea bamboo species are native to the mountains of Latin America. Unlike most bamboos, their culms are solid and not hollow. Varieties include Chusquea gigantea, a giant species that grows to 4 m tall and bears thick green culms, and Chilean bamboo, Chusquea culeou. Chusquea bamboo is among the best bamboos to sift and can be used as a center point. Big gardens only.

Fargesia

Clumping fargesia are popular garden bamboos that usually develop into small clumps. Native to the mountains and alpine forests of East Asia, they are among the hardiest bamboo species in existence. Fargesia murieliae ‘Luca’ only grows to 50 cm and is one of the best bamboos for pot cultivation.

Himalayan Calamus

Himalayacalamus is a genus of clumping bamboo native to the Himalayas. It contains Himalayacalamus hookerianus (pictured). Its young culms are blue with tinges of red or purple and mature to gold. Perfect for growing as a focal point to show off its colour.

Shibataea

Sibataea is a genus of short-growing bamboos with dark green leaves. Perfect for growing as a tall groundcover or short hedge, it contains Ruscus bamboo, Shibataea kumasaca, a dwarf species with golden-colored leaves.

Thamnocalamus

Thamnocalamus bamboo is clump-forming and is native to the Himalayas, Madagascar and South Africa. These include Thamnocalamus crassinodus, which has light blue culms that turn red as it matures, and tiny leaves.

Phyllostachys

Phyllostachys is a genus of Asian running bamboo, with most species native to China. The culms are easily identified and have a distinctive groove, called a sulcus, that runs the length of each segment. Many species spread aggressively through underground rhizomes and can cause problems in the garden. Some species grow up to 30 m high. Many Phyllostachys have decorative stalks and are perfect as eye-catchers or privacy screens. Phyllostachys nigra (pictured) is a popular choice for gardens due to its black culms.

Sascha

Known as broadleaf bamboo, Sasa is a genus of running bamboo. It includes Sasa palmata f. nebulosa, a tropical Japanese bamboo with yellow culms, and Sasa kurilensis (pictured), the world’s northernmost bamboo and therefore extremely hardy. They are ideal for growing in shady gardens.

Hibanobambusa

The only species of this genus is Hibanobambusa tranquillans, a variegated running bamboo with large leaves and a bushy habit. Hibanobambusa tranquillans ‘Shiroshima’ retains its variegation better than the species and is perfect for a centerpiece grow.

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You can also see some of our tried and tested gardening tools below with a selection of great planting and support kits.

Bamboo is a trendy star of the eco-friendly building movement, with a variety of flooring, furniture and other items made from the strong, fast-growing grass. However, bamboo production should be left to commercial growers. Bamboo’s resilience and rapid growth make it a problematic plant for most gardens. Here are the top five reasons not to plant bamboo in your garden.

1. Bamboo can spread to neighboring yards.

Many homeowners plant bamboo to create a fast-growing privacy screen around their home. Ted Jordan Meredith, author of Bamboo for Gardens, notes that some bamboo species grow more than a meter a day. Bamboo can spread as fast as it grows, and it doesn’t respect fences or property lines.

Bamboo grows particularly profusely next to irrigated lawns and gardens, or in low-lying areas that collect water. Instead of just blocking the view of nosy neighbors, you could turn your property line into a war zone by planting bamboo.

Some bamboo species can even be classified as noxious weeds, meaning a neighbor could legally force you to remove your bamboo. You could also be held liable for the cost of damage to neighbors’ property caused by your bamboo and the cost of removing it from their property.

2. Bamboo can pose an invasive threat to biodiversity.

Bamboo that spreads and escapes from your garden can also cause ecological problems. Many encroaching bamboo species are classified as invasive exotic plants, crowding out native plants and threatening biodiversity.

The best ways to stem spreading bamboo tend to be expensive and complicated, and may not be worth the effort for many homeowners. Also, they’re not foolproof. Experts at the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension recommend burying thick 60-mil polypropylene or fiberglass about a foot deep and leaving an additional two inches of material above ground to prevent surface spread. Morgan Judy of the Clemson University Cooperative Extension suggests creating a solid barrier of concrete, metal, or pressure-treated wood that is at least 18 inches deep around the bamboo.

Any of these barriers should prevent the spread of flat bamboo rhizomes, but Judy still recommends monitoring the area closely for emerging shoots, especially during the peak growing season in early summer.

3. Getting rid of bamboo can take years.

Bamboo is a long-term relationship that should not be taken lightly. It can take years and vigorous effort to remove unwanted bamboo. The first step in removing bamboo is to remove all of the root mass and rhizomes. That’s easier said than done, and many homeowners with bamboo-loving neighbors complain that they can’t get rid of the spreading weed. No matter how much they dig, the shoots keep coming back.

Judy suggests that frequent mowing can deplete and starve the bamboo, but it takes at least two years of regular mowing to see results.

4. Getting rid of bamboo may require herbicides.

In addition, Judy notes that chemical herbicides are often required to control bamboo. This can be a problem for those trying to cultivate organic gardens and avoid using herbicides.

Judy recommends Roundup Original, Quick Kill Grass, and Weed Killer, as well as other herbicides that contain glyphosate. This broad spectrum herbicide has minimal residual activity in the soil and typically only kills those plants that are directly sprayed. Mow or chop the bamboo and allow it to regrow until new leaves appear. Then spray the herbicide on the leaves.

This too can take years. One application will not solve your bamboo problem. Also, Judy warns that specific glyphosate herbicides should be used near streams, ponds and other surface water. Eraser AQ, Pondmaster and other products are approved for use near water.

5. The right bamboo can be difficult to find.

Bamboo advocates will argue that not all of the more than 1,000 species of bamboo are equally invasive. They recommend clumping bamboo species rather than propagating species. The problem is that clumping species are also spreading, although not as much. It can also be difficult to distinguish between the types, and some are mislabeled. In addition, other similar invasive species can be confused with bamboo. For example, officials at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension warn against transplanting or promoting the giant reed (Arundo donax), a bamboo lookalike, that has invaded parts of their state.

Bamboo may seem like an attractive garden option, but it poses serious problems. Stick to a lucky bamboo in a small indoor pot, or avoid growing bamboo altogether. Also, do your homework before purchasing bamboo flooring and other products. It may not be as eco-friendly or as durable as you think.

Hire a professional landscaper for expert help with bamboo removal.

Bamboo is quite famous for how fast and tall it grows, how aggressively it spreads and for its tremendous sustainability. But some of bamboo’s properties remain a mystery. For example, many readers and customers want to know how long bamboo lives?

Bamboo is a perennial grass, meaning it lives on year after year, rather than dying off at the end of a year like annual grasses like wheat and corn do. Most bamboo species live a few decades, some even a century or more. All or virtually all bamboo species are monocarpic, meaning they flower once and then die. But it can take 50 or 60 or even 120 years, in the case of Phyllostachys bambusoides, for these bamboos to bloom. Some types of bamboo can flower several times and continue to grow.

Bamboo is a relatively easy plant to maintain. The biggest challenge for most gardeners is keeping it in check. If bamboo is anything, then it is strong. It grows quickly, spreads widely and lives for a long time. If you want a plant that will thrive in your garden, full of life and full of greenery, you can hardly do better than bamboo. Conversely, if you’re waiting for your neighbor’s bamboo to grow old and die, don’t hold your breath.

Individual culms will age and die after 5 or 10 years, but the plant itself will live as long as anything else in your garden. (Unless you’re growing giant sequoias.) As the bamboo grows and spreads, the newer culms will crowd out the older ones. For the health and appearance of the plant, it’s a good idea to prune out some of the older canes every now and then.

Flowering and the Bamboo Life Cycle

For most bamboo species, the most important factor in determining lifespan is the flowering cycle. And the flowering of bamboo is certainly one of its most mysterious properties. And that varies greatly from species to species.

When we think of bamboo, we imagine its long, elegant stalks, sometimes deep green, sometimes buttery yellow and maybe even striped. And we imagine this dense foliage of delicate green leaves. The sticks flap in the wind and the leaves rustle peacefully.

But the bamboo flowers probably never come to mind. In most cases, the flowers are fairly unremarkable, resembling a rye stem more than something you would include in a springtime bouquet. Not that interesting for us, but they are crucial in the life cycle of the plant.

For the vast majority of bamboo species, flowering marks the final act of life. They are monocarpic, meaning they only bloom once. Like an annual plant, most grains and vegetables, such as bamboo flowers, go into seed and die. But these bamboos are not annuals. They can live for several decades or more before flowering and setting seed.

Phyllostachys bambusoides, also known as Japanese wood bamboo, appears to be the longest-living bamboo species with a flowering interval of 120 years. Botanists and bamboo specialists in Asia and around the world continue to study the strange phenomenon of bamboo flowering, but much of it remains unclear.

One of the most intriguing behaviors is social flowering. This means that all members of a given species will bloom around the same time anywhere in the world. This actually poses a threat to the entire species. That means if they don’t successfully overseed at this point due to a drought or other natural disaster, the entire species could be lost forever.

Other species, such as the popular Bambusa oldhamii, rarely bloom. And despite persistent research, no one really knows how often or why Oldhamii blooms. It doesn’t seem to happen on a regular basis, and many suspect that flowering in this species may be stress-induced.

Bamboos of the Fargesia genus appear to have a very regular and predictable flowering season, with a lifespan of 40 to 60 years depending on the species. They also flower gregariously.

Limited observations of the Sasa genus suggest that some of these small but vigorous plants may actually be polycarpic, meaning they may bloom more than once before dying. This would be highly unusual for a bamboo, but not impossible as the flowering behavior of bamboo is only partially understood.

When the bamboo dies

When the bamboo blooms and germinates, it can be a crisis, but it can also be an opportunity. As mentioned above, it is vital that some of these seeds are successfully replanted when each member of the species sows at the same time.

In Mizoram, north-east India, they face an even more pressing crisis. Every 50 years, the Melocanna baccifera (a local species of bamboo) blooms and sets seed, triggering an unlikely series of events. When this happened in 1959, the unexpected bumper crop of bamboo seeds brought a bounty to the local rodent population. The sudden increase in the food supply caused the number of rats to skyrocket. But when the bamboo seed inevitably ran out, the hungry rats began raiding the fields and storehouses of human food supplies. The result was widespread famine in that part of India.

In more favorable circumstances, bamboo gardeners who find their plants in bloom should be sure to document the event. Instagram it! That doesn’t happen often. More importantly, you should try to collect the seeds once they are fully matured, dry, and ready to harvest.

It is even possible to get cross pollination in a small bamboo garden, resulting in a new bamboo variety. How cool would that be? So always make sure to save these seeds when your bamboo is flowering.

Lifespan of bamboo stalks

The longevity of individual bamboo stalks or stalks is actually quite different from the life expectancy of the whole plant. In most bamboo species, the culms live around 5 to 10 years before they lose their potency and begin to dry out. At this point they will stop putting out fresh leaves and will lose some of their color as well.

Dead posts should be cut back as close to the ground as possible. As they dry, they can become prone to cracking. For the overall appearance and health of the plant, it’s a good idea to go in with a handsaw and remove this dead wood from time to time.

It is also important to remove older culms for carbon sequestration. When the old pipe dies and begins to rot, they release carbon and methane. For this reason, only a well-managed bamboo grove provides an effective carbon sink. Left to the natural cycle, the bamboo will capture bamboo and then release it. By harvesting mature stems before they are past their flowering stage, carbon is trapped in the woody biomass and stored in the underground rhizomes.

Chusquea culeou probably has the longest living culms of any bamboo species. Their life expectancy is estimated at more than 30 years. Another long-lived bamboo, Phyllostachys bambusoides canes, can live to be around 20 years old.

Bamboo for a long life

Bamboo has a variety of mythical and magical associations with longevity. Numerous legends from the Far East describe bamboo as the first form of life. According to these myths, the first man and woman sprouted from the empty space inside the bamboo pole. The plant’s importance and prominence in legend and folklore speaks to its great strength and endurance.

As farmers and builders have observed over the centuries, you can continuously harvest the stalks of a bamboo plant and the plant will live on. You can also be confident that a structure made of bamboo will far outlast any other primitive structure. The durability of bamboo lasts from the forest well into the construction phase.

And should you ever attempt to contain or remove a bamboo plant, you will find that it is a stubborn opponent. Because the true engine of bamboo’s livelihood lies in its roots.

The robust rhizomes of the bamboo

If you ever try to shorten the life of a bamboo plant, you’ll quickly find that it’s not that easy. Saw down each majestic stake to build yourself a fence or cabin, and those roots will only grow more determined. Try digging up these rhizomes with a shovel and you’ll find yourself in the oldest battle of them all: Man vs. Nature.

This is a plant that just wants to live. And these subterranean rhizomes demonstrate this will to live in a spectacular way.

Of the approximately 1,500 varieties of bamboo known to botanists, we like to divide them into two general categories. Based on the character of their rhizome systems, we classify them as stolons and clumps. Running bamboo sends out long, thin rhizomes that run horizontally from the center of the plant. You can rip off the culms and dig up any rhizomes you can find, but if you miss a few pieces they will likely grow back.

Clumping bamboos, on the other hand, have thicker, U-shaped rhizomes. Rather than sending long roots away from the core, these rhizomes generally tend to curve upward to send new shoots up. This way they are easier to contain and much easier to remove if necessary. Of course, whenever you are dealing with a woody bamboo, removal is no trivial task.

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To learn more about the incredible properties of bamboo, check out some of these other interesting articles.

Lucky bamboo is a popular feng shui plant because of its connection to Asia, as well as its beauty, simplicity and symbolism.

Interestingly, lucky bamboo is actually not bamboo at all, but a species of dracaena. Real bamboo is not meant to be grown as a houseplant. However, because lucky bamboo is smaller, it can be used indoors, and because lucky bamboo looks very similar to real bamboo, it can be used interchangeably and has the same meaning and symbolism in feng shui. Native to Africa, it grows abundantly in Asia and is a popular houseplant. It’s a really nice addition to most homes, especially if you love the look of bamboo, and is usually pretty easy to find.

The symbolism of the lucky bamboo

Lucky Bamboo is strong, grows very quickly and recovers quickly. It represents upright growth, nobility and flexibility. It also has a hollow stem that represents an open, humble heart.

Tip For feng shui purposes, it is best to look for straight, upright lucky bamboo stalks. Curling stems are not as helpful in supporting upright growth and may actually symbolize spinning or spiraling energy instead.

Bamboo’s rapid growth and adaptability also make it a popular choice for eco-friendly building projects and housewares. In western culture, it has become a symbol of sustainability.

Care

Lucky Bamboo is low maintenance and very easy to care for. She can be grown in water or soil and likes partial shade to diffused sunlight – just keep her out of direct sunlight to avoid burning the leaves. Water regularly if grown in soil and change the water frequently if grown in water.

Watch out for Lucky Bamboo turning yellow. This can mean that the plant is root bound and needs to be transplanted into a larger pot, or that it is getting too much sunlight. If you notice a dead stalk, be sure to remove it.

Even if you have once placed a lucky bamboo plant in your home with positive intentions, it is not very good to have dead or dying plants in your living space.

Elton Sipp / Unsplash

Where to place Lucky Bamboo in your home

Xun, the corner of wealth

Lucky bamboo is also a supportive plant when it comes to wealth and abundance. To attract more prosperity, place three or nine stalks of Lucky Bamboo in the Prosperity Corner, or Xun position, of your home, workspace, or bedroom. To find the Wealth Corner, stand in front of the front entrance of your house or room and look for the left-most corner. Place your lucky bamboo here with the intention of further increasing and expanding your finances.

Kun, the relationship corner

Placing lucky bamboo in the relationship (kun) corner can help support your intention of a harmonious relationship between you and your current or future partner. To find the relationship area of ​​your house, stand by the front door and locate the far right corner of your house.

You can also find your bedroom relationship area by standing by your bedroom door and looking at the far right corner of the room. In this area, place a water vase with two lucky bamboo stems: one representing you and one representing your partner. It is best if the two stems are similar in size, symbolizing a balanced relationship between you and your partner. In doing so, set the intention that your two lucky bamboo stalks will support a harmonious relationship and that you both will grow together.

Near the entrance

Lucky bamboo is associated with the wood element, which represents growth, new beginnings and family harmony. Try placing a lucky bamboo plant near the entrance of your home to bring one of these aspects into your life. The entrance of your home is the way energy enters your life, so this is a great area to activate with lucky bamboo.

On your desk

In feng shui, your desk represents your career, work and life path. When you need more growth in your work, a happy bamboo plant on your desk can help inspire growth and expansion in your career.

The reasons for a dying lucky bamboo are often too much direct sunlight. Lucky bamboo needs to grow in bright, indirect light. When lucky bamboo is grown in full sun, the leaves and stems turn yellow with a dying appearance.

If the bamboo has been in direct sun for a short period of time, the leaves and stems can turn white as a sign of stress, so bright, indirect light is important.

Lucky bamboo leaves can turn yellow and have a wrinkled, drooping, dying appearance if the roots don’t have adequate access to water.

Lucky bamboo leaf tips turn brown when the bamboo is watered with tap water. Lucky bamboo is sensitive to the chemicals in tap water and should ideally be watered with rainwater.

To revive a dying lucky bamboo, it is important to create preferred conditions of bright, indirect light, ensure the roots have adequate access to moisture, avoid using tap water, and use the preferred temperature range of 60°F to 75°F ( 16°C) to 24°C) to allow the bamboo to recover.

It may be necessary to take cuttings of your lucky bamboo from any remaining healthy plants (if possible) for propagation to save the bamboo.

It’s worth noting that if your Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is growing in water, it will typically only live 2 or 3 years before turning brown and dying.

Read on to learn how to save your lucky bamboo…

Lucky bamboo leaves and stalk turn yellow

symptoms . Leaves and stems sometimes turn yellow with drooping leaves and a wrinkled appearance. Stems can often turn yellow and mushy.

. Leaves and stems sometimes turn yellow with drooping leaves and a wrinkled appearance. Stems can often turn yellow and mushy. Causes. Too much stem is submerged in water, underwatering, too much fertilizer, temperature changes.

The most common reason lucky bamboo turns yellow is too much direct sun, which can scorch the leaves and stems yellow. Lucky bamboo is sensitive to too much light and needs to be grown in bright, indirect light rather than full sun to avoid yellowing.

The reason happy bamboo stalks turn yellow and mushy is because the stalk is in too much water.

Lucky bamboo should normally only be grown in about 1-3 inches of water, leaving only the roots submerged.

The stalk does not tolerate water levels, causing it to rot and become yellow and mushy.

This often happens when the lucky bamboo stalk is placed in a deep container such as a vase or jar, which can provide stability, but should not be filled with more than three inches of water to avoid the stalk rotting and turning yellow .

If the bamboo roots don’t get enough water, the stems and leaves will also turn yellow, which is why the optimal balance of the roots, which are submerged but the stem is above the waterline, is so important when growing lucky bamboo in water.

While it is best to apply a liquid houseplant fertilizer for lucky bamboo, it is also a common cause of yellowing of the leaves and stems as lucky bamboo is very sensitive to high concentrations of fertilizer.

Typically, lucky bamboo only needs a few drops of general houseplant fertilizer once a month during spring and summer.

If you fertilize more often or at a higher concentration, this is probably the reason for the yellowing of the leaves and stems.

Lucky bamboo also doesn’t respond well to drastically fluctuating temperatures (resulting in yellowing leaves and stems). The preferred temperature range for lucky bamboo is between 16°C and 24°C.

The sudden indoor temperature change that causes Lucky Bamboo to turn yellow is more common in winter when indoor heating raises temperatures and then cold window sills or areas of the house cause a drastic temperature swing at night.

How to revive dying lucky bamboo with yellowing leaves and stems

Place the lucky bamboo in a place with bright, indirect light, away from direct sunlight. When the leaves are scorched yellow, they will not turn green again, but you can gently peel off the leaves or carefully prune them with secateurs, which will encourage the growth of healthy green leaves.

. When the leaves are scorched yellow, they will not turn green again, but you can gently peel off the leaves or carefully prune them with secateurs, which will encourage the growth of healthy green leaves. Make sure the lucky bamboo is in an area with a stable temperature range between 60°F and 75°F (16°C to 24°C). Keep Lucky Bamboo away from indoor heat sources and air currents caused by forced ventilation or air conditioning. Keep in mind that window sills are often much colder than the rest of the house, especially at night in winter.

. Keep Lucky Bamboo away from indoor heat sources and air currents caused by forced ventilation or air conditioning. Keep in mind that window sills are often much colder than the rest of the house, especially at night in winter. Reduce the use of fertilizers. Lucky bamboo is particularly sensitive to fertilizer and only requires 2 drops of general houseplant fertilizer, once a month during the growing season, although it can often grow quite happily without fertilizer. Change the water when the bamboo has yellowed and you’ve used too much fertilizer (it’s best to change the water at least once a month) and refrain from fertilizing until the next growing season.

. Lucky bamboo is particularly sensitive to fertilizer and only requires 2 drops of general houseplant fertilizer, once a month during the growing season, although it can often grow quite happily without fertilizer. Change the water when the bamboo has yellowed and you’ve used too much fertilizer (it’s best to change the water at least once a month) and refrain from fertilizing until the next growing season. If your lucky bamboo is growing in water, make sure the roots are submerged to prevent yellowing. When the roots fail to emerge, the first sign of stress is yellowed, wilted leaves. Make sure there is just enough water to cover the roots, which is usually 1-3 inches of water. Change the water every month to prevent the build-up of bacteria or fungal diseases that can turn the bamboo yellow, and check the water level when the temperature rises, whether it’s in summer or because of indoor heating in winter. When growing in potting soil, keep the medium consistently moist and make sure the roots are not above the soil line.

. When the roots fail to emerge, the first sign of stress is yellowed, wilted leaves. Make sure there is just enough water to cover the roots, which is usually 1-3 inches of water. Change the water every month to prevent the build-up of bacteria or fungal diseases that can turn the bamboo yellow, and check the water level when the temperature rises, whether it’s in summer or because of indoor heating in winter. When growing in potting soil, keep the medium consistently moist and make sure the roots are not above the soil line. Do not overfill the lucky bamboo vase or container with water to avoid yellowing stems. While the roots can thrive underwater, the lucky bamboo stem should be kept above the water or soil surface to prevent it from turning yellow and mushy. Usually this means that only the bottom 1-3 inches of the bamboo should be in the water.

When the lucky bamboo stalk has turned yellow and mushy, remove it from the vase and discard it as it will rot and decay can encourage fungal diseases and bacteria that can spread to otherwise healthy bamboo stalks.

To help the Lucky Bamboo revive, gently peel any yellow leaves as once they have turned yellow they will not turn green again. However, removing the yellow leaves can encourage the lucky bamboo to grow new healthy green leaves.

Sometimes it is best to propagate the lucky bamboo from any remaining healthy growth areas. Propagating lucky bamboo is easy and can effectively produce a healthy plant that can fully recover.

Watch this helpful YouTube video to learn how to propagate lucky bamboo:

(Read my article on how to save lucky bamboo turning yellow).

Lucky bamboo turns white

symptoms . Leaves and sometimes the stem may appear bleached, white, or pale.

. Leaves and sometimes the stem may appear bleached, white, or pale. Causes. Too much sunlight, chlorine and fluoride in the water.

The reason lucky bamboo turns white is because it has been bleached white by too much direct sunlight. Lucky bamboo requires bright, indirect light and does not tolerate full sun, causing the leaves and stems to turn white and look pale.

Exposure to particularly strong light will burn the bamboo to a yellowing appearance, while limited exposure to the sun tends to result in a white or pale appearance of the leaves and stems.

Lucky bamboo comes from tropical forests in central Africa, where it grows under a canopy of leaves out of direct sunlight.

Therefore, lucky bamboo leaves and stems are very sun sensitive and can turn white if placed on a sunny windowsill when growing indoors, as this counters their preferred natural conditions of bright, indirect light.

Lucky Bamboo is also sensitive to chemicals in tap water (chlorine and fluoride) which can contribute to the leaves turning white depending on the concentration of chlorine and fluoride, although the tips of the leaves usually turn brown in response to tap water.

Distilled water, bottled mineral water, and rainwater are recommended instead of tap water when watering lucky bamboo.

However, you can leave the tap water in a bowl overnight to allow the chlorine and fluoride to evaporate before safely watering your lucky bamboo.

It is also believed that low humidity can also stress the lucky bamboo and cause it to turn pale and white.

Lucky bamboo is native to tropical humid climates but is usually hardy enough to tolerate the low humidity levels found in homes.

However, if you are in a particularly dry climate with very low humidity, this can help the lucky bamboo turn white.

How to revive Lucky Bamboo that turns white

Place the bamboo in an area with bright, indirect light. The optimal light balance for lucky bamboo is a bright room with plenty of light, as long as the leaves and stems are not in direct sunlight.

. The optimal light balance for lucky bamboo is a bright room with plenty of light, as long as the leaves and stems are not in direct sunlight. If the leaves are completely bleached white, these individual leaves will not recover. Once the lucky bamboo is moved back to a spot out of direct sunlight, it will begin to sprout new, green leaves to replace the white, sun-damaged leaves. However, you can also gently peel off these leaves or cut them with secateurs, which can help stimulate new leaf growth.

. Once the lucky bamboo is moved back to a spot out of direct sunlight, it will begin to sprout new, green leaves to replace the white, sun-damaged leaves. However, you can also gently peel off these leaves or cut them with secateurs, which can help stimulate new leaf growth. If the stems have turned white from direct sunlight, then simply leave the plant in indirect light. A lucky bamboo with white leaves is easier to revive compared to white stems. However, the best course of action with white stems is to simply leave the bamboo light and indirect and the plant can begin to put on new growth (which should be a healthy green).

. A lucky bamboo with white leaves is easier to revive compared to white stems. However, the best course of action with white stems is to simply leave the bamboo light and indirect and the plant can begin to put on new growth (which should be a healthy green). Replace the water and use only distilled, bottled, or rainwater if you watered with tap water. If you are only growing bamboo in water, usually replace the water about every month and make sure the roots are submerged. If the lucky bamboo grows in potting soil, keep the soil evenly moist.

. If you are only growing bamboo in water, usually replace the water about every month and make sure the roots are submerged. If the lucky bamboo grows in potting soil, keep the soil evenly moist. If you water lucky bamboo with tap water, leave it in a bowl overnight to avoid white leaves. It’s worth noting that lucky bamboo is very sensitive to chemicals in tap water, however the chemical responsible for causing the leaves to turn white (or brown at the tips) evaporates within 24 hours, making it safe to water your lucky bamboo .

. It’s worth noting that lucky bamboo is very sensitive to chemicals in tap water, however the chemical responsible for causing the leaves to turn white (or brown at the tips) evaporates within 24 hours, making it safe to water your lucky bamboo . If you suspect low humidity is stressing your lucky bamboo and you live in a dry climate, then mist the leaves once every 2 days. Foliar spraying creates a humid microclimate that mimics the conditions of the bamboo’s natural environment to alleviate drought stress on the bamboo.

While individual white leaves may not necessarily recover, lucky bamboo will often revive if you create more favorable conditions with bright, indirect light and avoid watering with tap water. New green healthy growth should appear in the following weeks.

Lucky bamboo turns brown

symptoms . Lucky bamboo leaf tips turn brown or the stalk turns brown.

. Lucky bamboo leaf tips turn brown or the stalk turns brown. Causes. Chlorine and fluoride in tap water will turn Lucky Bamboo leaf tips brown, as will too much fertilizer. Lucky Bamboo often turns brown with a dying appearance if the stem is submerged in too much water or if the bamboo is planted in soil then overwatering could cause the leaves and stems to turn brown.

The reason for the brown leaf tips of lucky bamboo is usually due to the chemicals chlorine and fluoride in tap water or too much fertilizer. Lucky Bamboo is very sensitive to chemicals in tap water and should be watered with rainwater to prevent the leaf tips from turning brown.

Lucky Bamboo only requires 2 or 3 drops of general houseplant fertilizer every 2 months during the growing season. If you fertilize too often or in too high a concentration, the tips of the leaves will turn brown.

The reason lucky bamboo stalks turn brown is usually because they are standing in too much water.

If you are only growing lucky bamboo in water, only the roots should be submerged and not the stem, which cannot tolerate being under water. If the stalk is submerged, it may turn brown and appear dying.

When lucky bamboo is planted in soil, overwatering is often the cause of the leaves and stems turning brown.

Despite the fact that lucky bamboo can take root and live exclusively in water, lucky bamboo, which has always been grown in soil, does not tolerate consistently saturated potting soil.

The roots of a lucky bamboo plant grown in water are different from the root system of a lucky bamboo plant grown in soil, which is why plants often turn brown and have a dying appearance when switched from growing in water to growing in soil or vice versa.

How to revive a dying Lucky Bamboo that is turning brown

Always water Lucky Bamboo with rainwater, distilled water, bottled water or tap water that has been shut off for 24 hours. If the leaf tips are brown from sensitivity to chemicals in the tap water, it may have a good recovery when you change the water. Sometimes you have to wait for the bamboo to grow new green leaves and trim back the brown leaves before the lucky bamboo can restore its healthy green appearance.

. If the leaf tips are brown from sensitivity to chemicals in the tap water, it may have a good recovery when you change the water. Sometimes you have to wait for the bamboo to grow new green leaves and trim back the brown leaves before the lucky bamboo can restore its healthy green appearance. Reduce the use of fertilizers. Lucky bamboo does not require much fertilizer. Typically, 1 or 2 drops of general houseplant fertilizer once a month during spring and summer is sufficient. If you’ve used too much fertilizer, change the water (if growing in water) or soak the potting medium liberally to flush out excess salts from the fertilizer, which can contribute to leaf tips turning brown.

. Lucky bamboo does not require much fertilizer. Typically, 1 or 2 drops of general houseplant fertilizer once a month during spring and summer is sufficient. If you’ve used too much fertilizer, change the water (if growing in water) or soak the potting medium liberally to flush out excess salts from the fertilizer, which can contribute to leaf tips turning brown. Keep lucky bamboo in 2-3 inches of water (so the roots are submerged) or allow the potting medium to dry slightly between waterings. This is the optimal watering balance to prevent the lucky bamboo from turning brown.

. This is the optimal watering balance to prevent the lucky bamboo from turning brown. If the leaves and stems turn brown and mushy, the plant is unlikely to recover as this indicates fungal diseases and rot. The only solution is to try to propagate the lucky bamboo from any healthy remaining green growth. Propagating lucky bamboo is surprisingly easy, and you can grow the bamboo plant in more favorable conditions to prevent leaf or stem browning.

Lucky bamboo doesn’t grow

The reason a lucky bamboo won’t grow is because it has too much shade. Lucky Bamboo prefers to grow in bright, indirect light that will ensure the plant has enough energy to grow. Make sure the temperature is between 16°C and 24°C (60°F to 75°F) for optimal growth.

Place the lucky bamboo in your lightest room (keep away from direct light or the leaves) and ensure the temperature is ideally in the 16°C to 24°C range.

Try to avoid sudden changes in temperature, even if they are in the preferred temperature range, as this can cause bamboo stress, which can slow growth.

Do not place your lucky bamboo too close to heat sources and away from drafty areas of the house.

If you’re growing lucky bamboo in water, replace the water about every month and use a small dose of all-purpose fertilizer once a month during spring and summer to encourage growth.

Avoid fertilizing too much or too often, as lucky bamboo is very sensitive to fertilizer, which can turn the leaf tips brown or yellow.

Keep in mind that lucky bamboo doesn’t usually grow as much in winter due to the lower light levels.

The central theses:

Growing bamboo in pots can be a great option for small gardens.

There are a variety of bamboo species that grow very well in UK gardens.

Sometimes bamboos can even grow so well that they can become invasive.

Growing bamboo in pots can help limit its spread and also allows you to create a beautiful garden even if you don’t have space in the ground to grow.

Not only will you easily find bamboo that grows well in containers, you will also find that this is a very useful plant to grow:

Bamboo can be a fairly low-maintenance option that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance and attention.

Bamboos make great privacy and privacy screens and can also provide you with a range of yields.

Many bamboo species provide edible shoots, and you can also harvest more mature bamboo canes for the garden – they can be used as plant supports and in a number of other ways.

Choosing a bamboo

If you have decided to grow bamboo in containers, you must first decide what type of bamboo to grow.

Bamboos are usually divided or categorized into running bamboos or clumping bamboos –

Running bamboos spread by long underground rhizomes and can spread very quickly. Clumping bamboos grow in dense clumps. These can also spread quickly in favorable conditions, but are generally the best choice for container growing.

Clumping bamboos include Bambusa, Chusquea, Fargesia, Shibataea, and Thamnocalamus. However, these aren’t the only bamboos that do well in pots.

A number of running bamboo can also work well in containers if managed properly.

Within these two species, bamboos can still vary greatly, both in their vigor and in the final size they will grow to.

Some bamboos can easily grow to 5m or more in height, while dwarf varieties (also generally better suited to pot growing) can only grow to 30cm or less.

It is therefore important to consider how large your plant will grow.

Best bamboo for growing in pots

Fargesia nitida

While there are many varieties of bamboo that can be grown in pots, we recommend a few:

Chimonobambusa marmorea

Fargesia angustissima

Fargesia nitida

Fargesia rufa

Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. spectabilis

Phyllostachys humilis

Phyllostachys nigra

Pleioblastus viridistriatus

Pseudosasa japonica

Thamnocalamus tessellatus

Phyllostachys aureosulcata f. spectabilis

Where to place container bamboo?

Most bamboos will thrive in a sunny and sheltered spot, but it’s worth noting that there are bamboos that will tolerate some shade and can be placed in a less sunny location.

Bamboos can work well when positioned in individual large containers in a mixed container garden, and they can work well in a Japanese-inspired garden or tropical-themed garden plan, for example.

Bamboos with edible shoots don’t look out of place in an edible container garden or perhaps in a pot at the edge of a kitchen garden area.

Bamboo in containers can also work well to define the edge of a garden area or “garden room”.

A series of containers with bamboo plants in them can work well to create a screen between different parts of your space.

They can also be used to add privacy at the edge of a seating area or at the edge of your property, or to screen off unsightly elements in your space.

There are many ways to position bamboo in pots to create beautiful and useful effects in your garden.

There are also a number of bamboo varieties that can even be grown indoors as houseplants, so this is another option to consider.

Some strains that can be grown indoors are:

Phyllostachys aurea

Bambusa ventricosa

Chimonobambusa marmorea

Pleioblastus pygmaeus

Pleioblastus fortunei

When you think of growing bamboo indoors, you might think “lucky bamboo,” but that’s actually not bamboo at all…

When to plant bamboo in pots

The best time to plant bamboo in tubs is in spring.

However, you can source and buy bamboo plants in pots all year round and plant them in their new containers at any time.

Just try to avoid planting on a particularly hot and dry day or in particularly poor conditions as this will add to the transplant stress for your new plants.

select containers

Typically a container for a bamboo plant will need to be at least 50cm deep and 50cm wide, although a larger planter can also be considered and will mean you will need to repot your bamboo less often.

The container or containers you choose should allow for adequate drainage while still allowing you to keep the medium within sufficiently moist to suit the bamboo plants you are growing.

Make sure there are enough drainage holes in the bottom of the container and consider raising the container on feet or a stand to ensure there are no waterlogging issues.

Note that a sturdy container is essential, especially with running bamboo.

A sturdy wooden planter, for example, can withstand the roots in a way that other containers cannot.

Avoid plastic containers and remember that for bamboo, glazed pots are generally better than terracotta.

fill container

Bamboo requires loamy soil that is slightly acidic or pH neutral.

Make sure you choose a reasonably fertile potting soil that is moist yet reasonably free-draining.

To improve the drainage of the container, it may be a good idea to apply a layer of horticultural sand to the bottom of the pot.

plant bamboo

When planting your bamboo plants in new containers or pots, make sure you position them so they sit slightly lower than they did in their original pot.

Place your plant, add your growing medium to the sides and a little on top of the previous surface, gently firming in place.

Water well and then mulch the surface of the container with a good quality compost to aid in water retention.

Care of bamboo in pots

irrigation

Bamboo plants in pots require more water than those grown in the ground. However, they do not require much time or care.

Finger-check the growing medium twice a week in dry weather, and when the soil dries a few inches below the surface, give your plant a good drink.

Keep in mind that bamboo generally does not like very wet conditions. But they need plenty of moisture throughout the growing season.

feeding

Containerized bamboos should be fed a nitrogen-rich organic liquid feed (such as nettle liquid feed or manure tea) every spring.

A general liquid fertilizer such as compost tea should be applied regularly throughout the remainder of the growing season, and the organic mulch should be replenished each year.

clipping

No pruning is required for the first year after planting.

However, in subsequent years it is a good idea to remove dead, damaged or weak canes and clip them to the surface of the growing medium.

If the clump is clogged, cut off some extra canes to allow more light and air into the center of the plant.

Potting / repotting

Every few years, bamboo plants will need to be repotted into a larger container or divided and repotted into several new pots.

When dividing bamboo, it is best to do so in spring.

Use younger rhizomes from the edges of the clump to establish new plants.

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Bamboo leaves are medium to large in size and long and lanceolate in shape, tapering to a point opposite the stem end. The deep green leaves are tough, leathery, and smooth, and are attached to green or brown stalks that can grow up to four inches a day. Typically, bamboo leaves are harvested when they are no more than a foot long and two inches wide, and have a mild, sweet flavor with hints of green tea. Bamboo leaves are available all year round. Bamboo leaves grow perennial evergreen plants belonging to the Poaceae or grass family and there are over a thousand different species of bamboo. Bamboo leaves come from many different species, and the most common species are native to China, including the Black Bamboo, Phyllostachys nigra, and Maozhu, Phyllostachys edulis. They are also found in Japan by a dwarf species known as Kumaizasa or Sasa senanensis. Also known as sasaya or sasa leaves, bamboo leaves are extremely versatile and can be used medicinally to preserve or flavor foods, or dried and used in bamboo leaf tea. Bamboo leaves contain protein, amino acids, potassium, calcium, manganese and iron. They are also high in polyphenols and exhibit antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Bamboo leaves are not consumed but used as packaging or as a container for food. As packaging, the leaves are used for dishes such as sticky rice dumplings, known as zongzi in China. The rice is stuffed with a filling such as pork or mushrooms, wrapped in a bamboo leaf, and then steamed while the leaf imparts a tea-like flavor to the rice. Bamboo leaves are also used to wrap sasazushi, a type of sushi, and these bite-sized wrappers can contain a mix of vegetables and fish over rice. Bamboo leaves are a common feature in sushi presentations, and many sushi restaurants use real bamboo leaves as a decorative piece in their bento boxes. It’s rare to find fresh bamboo leaves in stores as they are perishable and only last a few days, but some specialty stores sell dried and pasteurized bamboo leaves. Freshly purchased bamboo leaves should be soaked in water in a container and stored in the refrigerator, where they will keep for up to three days. Dried and pickled bamboo leaves can be kept for up to a year. Bamboo leaves are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, and instances of their use have been recorded in pharmacopeias such as the 17th-century The Truth Seeking Materia Medica of China by Huang Gongxiu. Bamboo leaves are considered a cooling element for the body and are said to help reduce phlegm, fever and stomach upset. The entire plant can also be used to construct home furnishings, crafts, bowls, and building materials, and the leaves are also used as animal fodder in Japan and China. The exact origin of bamboo leaves is unknown, but the plants have been growing wild since ancient times. Today, bamboo leaves can be found in fresh local markets throughout East Asia in Japan, China, Korea, India, and Nepal, and can also be found in parts of Africa, Australia, South America, and the United States. Restaurants are currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu. Recipes containing Leaves Bamboo (Sasaya). One is easiest, three is harder. Someone shared Leaves Bamboo (Sasaya) with the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android

Produce Sharing allows you to share your product discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Does your market carry green dragon apples? Does a chef do things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Anonymously determine your location through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors in their area.

The best bamboo plant varieties

Bamboo plants, which belong to the grass family, have hollow evergreen stems, or culms, and come in two main forms: clumping and running. Clumping bamboos spread more slowly because the growth pattern of their underground rhizomes is to gradually expand the root zone, similar to ornamental grasses. They can be used effectively for ornamental or rock gardens, or as container plants. Running bamboos, on the other hand, can be extremely vigorous, making them well suited to creating a sweeping windbreak or hedge. The canes of the running bamboo are also sent up from underground rhizomes, but they spread faster and farther, sending new shoots up to break the surface at various points.

The best running bamboo plant varieties

One of the strongest growing evergreen bamboos available, making it ideal for hedging or privacy purposes. It has light green canes that turn a beautiful intense yellow when fully mature if grown in full sun. The swollen internodes at the base of each cane provide ornamental value and make it easy to distinguish from other bamboo forms. It grows upright quickly and is ideal for planting alongside driveways and walkways, typically reaching a height of around 5 or 6 metres. When fully grown, the culms grow close together which, combined with their dense foliage, provides an excellent visual and sound barrier.

An unusual, elegant variety with tall, curved canes that are dark green when young, maturing to a polished ebony black after two to three years. These are slender and glossy and contrast beautifully with the elongated, bottle green, frothy evergreen foliage. It naturally forms a dramatically tall, upright shape that blends particularly well with water, where it creates eye-catching reflections. Perfect for a contemporary, minimalist or oriental garden, it looks great grown alongside an evergreen shrub with leaves that contrast against the black canes.

A beautiful, compact dwarf Japanese bamboo with tough, light green, evergreen leaves that fan out in neatly arranged clusters, giving the appearance of a palm or fern. One of the smallest bamboos available with a spreading, carpet-forming habit, it is perfect as a ground cover where it can be trimmed or mowed to keep it at an even height. It also makes a good bonsai plant and is a great choice for growing in a container in a Japanese themed garden.

A beautiful, spreading dwarf bamboo with oblong, dark green, evergreen leaves that have a rich creamy yellow stripe down the center. Perfect for use as a ground cover or to fortify embankments and slopes, it can be kept short by mowing the foliage in spring or cutting back to ground level before the plant sends out new shoots. In very cold winters, the leaves can die back, resulting in a fresh production of distinctively striped foliage in spring. We recommend mulching with well-rotted garden compost over the winter to protect the roots from frost damage. A dependable and hardy variety that is widely regarded as the most desirable groundcover bamboo.

A vigorous, spreading, evergreen bamboo with broad, glossy, dark green leaves that wilt at the edges in autumn. This creates a beautiful pale bronze chroma effect that looks like parchment and contrasts nicely with the glossy center of the leaves. It develops a strong, spreading root system, making it suitable for stabilizing embankments and slopes or as a medium-tall ground cover plant. The purple-green canes give it a tropical look that’s enhanced when it gets some shade in the afternoon. If you’re growing Sasa Veitchii as ground cover, we recommend pruning them back to a few inches above the ground in late winter or early spring.

The best clumping bamboo plant varieties

An evergreen dwarf bamboo with a taut, clumping habit and low, arching branches. It has the freshest foliage of any bamboo species and makes a dense, bushy specimen that doesn’t exceed 2 meters in height. The light green leaves appear early when the other bamboos can look a bit dull, making them ideal for adding a splash of color to smaller gardens in spring. Although it prefers a sheltered site, it will tolerate coastal sites provided conditions are not too extreme. Winner of the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1992, this is a great variety to use as a complement to any other form of bamboo.

Culms have zigzags in the lower part. The upper culms are erect.

Olive green, 7 inch long lanceolate leaves are hairy at the base.

The seed is shaped like a grain and blooms every 20 years or more

Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day)

Bamboo with a yellow stripe on its 2″ culms. It has excellent hardiness but be careful where you plant it as it can become weedy and spread by runners across the landscape for a vertical element. It tolerates drought, air pollution and planting near black walnut trees. This plant is an invasive species and should be planted in a container to prevent spread. It is possible for some bamboo to grow three feet in height in a single day.

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