Bambusa spp.

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Bambusa spp. is a genus of roughly 150 clump-forming bamboos in the grass family (Poaceae), native to tropical and subtropical Asia, with additional species in Africa, the Americas, and on Pacific and Indian Ocean islands. These are woody grasses with sympodial (clumping) rhizomes, so new culms emerge close to the parent and the plant expands as a dense, non-running clump rather than spreading widely. Culms are hollow between the nodes, 10-80 ft (3-24 m) tall and 0.5-6 inches (1.3-15 cm) in diameter depending on species, often arching at the tips and clothed in narrow evergreen leaves 3-10 inches (8-25 cm) long. New culms reach near their full height in a single growing season, then harden over the following years. Many Bambusa spp. carry persistent culm sheaths and branch clusters with one larger branch at each node. Most species flower only at long, irregular intervals of several decades, and a whole population may bloom and then die together. The clumping habit keeps the genus more containable than running bamboos, though large species still build wide, heavy clumps that are hard to remove once established.

Native Range

Native to tropical and subtropical Asia, from India and southern China through Southeast Asia to the Pacific, with some species in tropical Africa and the Americas. Many species are now grown and naturalized across warm regions worldwide.

Suggested Uses

Grown as evergreen screens, windbreaks, and specimen clumps in frost-free gardens, and as container plants on patios and indoors in cooler climates. The strong, straight culms are harvested for construction, furniture, and garden stakes. Large clumping species are placed where their eventual width and weight can be accommodated.

How to Identify

Recognized by tall, woody, hollow culms rising in tight clumps, with new culms emerging at the edge of the existing clump rather than at a distance. Each node bears a cluster of branches, commonly with one larger branch, and young culms carry papery sheaths that may persist or shed. The clumping base separates Bambusa spp. from running bamboos such as Phyllostachys spp., whose culms come up scattered along spreading underground runners.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 80'

Width/Spread5' - 15'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Flowering is rare and irregular, occurring at intervals of roughly 30 to 120 years depending on species, often with all plants of one stock flowering at once. The grass-like flower clusters give way to seed, after which the flowered culms usually die. Because flowering happens so seldom, most plantings are propagated from culm or rhizome divisions rather than seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Green to straw

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun to part shade in deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soil with steady water through the warm season. Most species are tropical to subtropical and hardy only in USDA zones 9-11, though a few tolerate brief frost to about 20°F (-7°C). Clumps respond to generous feeding and ample water with taller, thicker culms, while drought and cold check growth and brown the foliage. Even though the rhizomes clump rather than run, mature plants form large, dense root masses that are heavy to dig and divide. Thinning the oldest culms each year keeps the clump open and lets light reach the center.

Pruning

Old, weak, and crowded culms are cut to the ground in spring to keep the clump open, since an individual culm does not regrow taller once cut. Side branches are shortened to lift the canopy and show the culms. Cut culms do not resprout, so removal is permanent for that stem.