This section lists the tropical bamboo plant varieties we have in production. They
are all tropical, or sub-tropical, clumping bamboos and are generally not
cold-hardy like the temperate, running bamboos. Some, the sub-tropicals, can
tolerate freezing temperatures for short periods. Check the minimum
temperatures listed on each species description as a guideline for which
species can grow unprotected in your area.
Use our Search Bamboo page to find something specific.
The thick-walled culm is similar to D.asper. Soft brownish fur on new culms give this big bamboo it's nickname.
60' and 4" dia. culms in FL.
Min. temp. 26F. Min USDA zone: 9b Click here to find zone.
Dendrocalamus copelandii - Phai man mu (Pig Fat Bamboo)*New
The Thai name Phai man mu (Pig Fat Bamboo) alludes to the copious amount of wax covering the internodes of new shoots and young culms. Eye-catching appearance in the forest or in a garden.
A large, elegant, tufted bamboo. Culms up to 76' tall, 7-8" in diameter at the base. Nodes barely prominent with long internodes. Cultivated for edible shoots. New import.
We continue to have high hopes for this beautiful bamboo. Our initial test specimen started strong but its rhizome was partially damaged by hurricane Irma in 2017, especially by standing water in a particularly slow-draining area of our test field. To save it, we relocated it to a different field in 2018. The bamboo species will be fine but it had a setback that will delay propagation until 2020. Click here to find zone.
A fast-growing timber bamboo with large leaves (up to 4 inches wide). Lower culms are glabrous. New shoots have very fine soft felt-like hair.
Native to Yunnan province in China so it should handle cool temperatures for short periods. Edible shoots. Culms used for construction. Will grow to at least 50' tall with 3" - 4" diameter culms. New import. Click here to find zone.
Limestone cliff bamboo from southern Thailand, culms arching, leaves small, grows well in normal garden soil.
This is a delicate, smaller bamboo with tiny leaves. It shouldn't exceed 10'-13' tall and will work well in containers or small spaces. It is related to Dendrocalamus elegans but differs in that the culms are not silver/grey and it grows to a slightly smaller mature size. The culms are mostly green with occasional black vertical marks. A beautiful ornamental bamboo.
Click here to find zone.
From Thailand, Malaysia, & Langkawi Island. Grows on limestone hills and cliffs - should perform well in the alkaline soil of South Florida.
This cultivar was isolated amongst seedlings by Dieter Ohrnberger (author, The Bamboos of the World) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We transported a propagule to Kunming, China in the summer of 2012 where it was shipped to USDA quarantine. Has been test-growing at Tropical Bamboo Nursery with wonderful results.
This is a delicate, smaller bamboo with small leaves. It shouldn't exceed 15' tall and will work well in containers or small spaces. The thin culms are silver/grey and the thin, feathery foliage cascades beautifully. Click here to find zone.
Dendrocalamus farinosus grows on the border of Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan and is introduced in Guangxi, Guangdong and Fujian, tolerant of a temperature of 22 degrees F.
The culm timber is used for paper-making, weaving, farm tools and trellis. The bamboo clumps are beautiful and ornamental. Shoots are edible. New import. . Click here to find zone.
From the NW of Yunnan, China.
A timber bamboo (65' tall, 6" dia. culms) that should handle cooler temperatures based on the region of China where it was collected. The question is whether it will adapt to the hot, humid South Florida summers. It seems happy here after one full year. New import. Available now in limited quantities but there is still too much data to collect before we can predict its performance in specific areas. . Click here to find zone.
Used as ornamental plant; culms for construction, also promoted for pulp production. Distributed in southern China, possibly only known in cultivation. Called "Large-leaved Dra;n Bamboo" in China
Will grow to at least 50' tall with 3" - 4" diameter culms. New import..Click here to find zone.
This cultivar of Dendrocalamus giganteus has been in Florida for more than 2 decades. It is beautiful but is not as vigorous nor does it mature as large as the Quail Clone. The new shoots easily distinguish it as they are reddish/brown rather than the steel-bluish of the Quail Clone.
There is demand for a slightly smaller giganteus so we're once again propagating the Florida Clone.
Will reach 70' tall with 6" diameter culms. Click here to find zone.
A native of Burma. One of the largest bamboos in the world. Leaves can be up to 20 inches long and 4 inches wide. We are now propagating the superior clone that was once on display at Quail Botanical Gardens, San Diego (now renamed San Diego Botanic Garden).
Will grow to 100' tall with 8" diameter culms in Florida.
Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone.
The species Dendrocalamus giganteus is the largest-growing bamboo in our entire collection. Now we have a variety of the species with the added bonus of ornate, striped culms.
Ubon Imported from Ratchathani, Thailand in 2022, this bamboo was released from USDA quarantine in 2024. It is developing rapidly in our test field and the first propagules will be released for sale in mid-2025.
Mostly identical to D.giganteus but with occasional variegated leaves. The leaf variegation is random and appears on a small percentage of the leaves - then disappears with age. The most distict feature of this clone is that it often produces contorted, tortoise-shell culms. This mutation also means the size at maturity is much smaller than the standard form of D.giganteus. Will grow to 30' tall with 3" dia. culms. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone.
Medium green culms with silky texture. Leaves feel almost plastic and are slightly glossy. A large timber bamboo that produces highly ornamental, edible shoots.
Will grow to 60' tall with 4" diameter culms in Florida. Minimum temp 27 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone.
Typical overall form of the Dendrocalamus genus. Lower culms are covered with silver/tan fuzz. Shoots edible. Will grow to at least 50' in South Florida. Min USDA zone: 9b.Click here to find zone.
Vi;rous clumper. Rust-colored shoots. Ornamental that is becoming very popular despite questioned identity.
50' and 3" dia. culms in FL.
Min. temp. 25F. Min USDA zone: 9b.Click here to find zone.
