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Pleioblastus pygmaeus

dwarf bamboo

Poaceae

Japan; forest edges and disturbed areas

Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Pleioblastus pygmaeus is dwarf bamboo (pygmy bamboo), a low spreading running bamboo growing 6-24 inches (15-60 cm) tall with slender culms 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) in diameter. Bright to medium green narrow lance-shaped leaves 2-4 inches (5-10 cm). In Poaceae spp.. Pygmaeus = dwarf. The smallest commonly cultivated running bamboo. Spreads aggressively by underground leptomorph rhizomes — INVASIVE. Containment required: 40-mil HDPE rhizome barrier buried 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) deep, or containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L). Mow or shear to the ground annually in late winter (February-March) for fresh dense low growth — without mowing, foliage becomes tattered. The annual mowing requirement and the aggressive spread are the primary maintenance demands. Flowering extremely rare. Native to Japan. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9. Part sun to full sun. Growth rate is fast (via rhizomes).

Native Range

Native to Japan. Found on forest edges and in disturbed areas.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a low evergreen bamboo ground cover ONLY with rhizome containment, and in containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L), spaced 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 m) within contained areas. Annual mowing required. INVASIVE — containment mandatory. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9.

How to Identify

Identified by a low dense carpet of bright green narrow lance-shaped bamboo foliage on slender culms 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) in diameter. The dwarf stature (6-24 inches / 15-60 cm) and the running habit distinguish P. pygmaeus from clumping dwarf grasses. In Poaceae spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 2'

Width/Spread2' - 5'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Flowering is extremely rare and unpredictable. Pleioblastus spp. species may flower only once every several decades (gregarious flowering).

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Flowering is extremely rare and unpredictable — Pleioblastus spp. species may flower only once every several decades (gregarious flowering)

Foliage Description

Bright to medium green, narrow, lance-shaped, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long and 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm) wide, on slender culms 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) in diameter; evergreen — foliage browns at the tips in cold winters (zones 5-6) but regrows after mowing

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-8 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 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part sun to full sun (3-8 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5. INVASIVE running bamboo — containment required: 40-mil HDPE rhizome barrier 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) deep, or containers. Mow to the ground annually in late winter (February-March). Drought-tolerant once established. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-9.

Pruning

Mow or shear to the ground in late winter (February-March) annually for fresh dense growth. Without annual mowing, the foliage becomes tattered and brown-tipped. Cut escaping rhizomes at the barrier edge.

Pruning Schedule

early spring