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.
One of the endemic bamboo species of Java, Indonesia. Found in the secondary tropical forest of Meru Betiri National Park, East Java, Indonesia.
Large leaves with naturally branchless lower culms. Grows in a fountain shape that's typical of many species of Gigantochloa.
About 30' tall at maturity with 2 dia. culms. Minimum temp. 29 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9a. Click to find your zone.
This Indonesian ornamental was originally numbered G-4761. It is a medium-sized ornamental with an interesting striping pattern on the culm sheaths. Sometimes called Tiger Stripe Bamboo. The culms are green with cream-colored vertical pinstripes. Leaves are fairly narrow for a Gigantochloa. Should grow to 30' tall. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
A nice upright green ornamental with black hairs covering the culm sheaths. Similar in form to G.albociliata which is somewhat of a sister species and can be viewed by clicking this side-by-side comparison photo link.
Imported April/2011 into USDA quarantine and very limited stock available now.
Will grow to 25' with 1" diameter culms in Florida. Minimum temp. 30 degrees F. MIn USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Formerly G.verticillata.
This is a must-have for collectors of large bamboos. Breathtaking variegation on massive culms and sheaths. It is a tight clumper
and is generally branchless at the base. Will grow to at least
60' tall with 5" diameter culms in Florida. Min. temp 28�F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Culms highly variegated with cream colored stripes. This smaller variety of G.pseudoarundinacia was erroneously referred to as G.maxima in Florida (no logical explanation - Maxima is a synonym for the LARGE variety). Correctly identitified by Dr. Elizabeth Widjaja in 2003.
This variety grows to 45' tall. Minimum temperature 28 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
One of the smaller species of Gigantochloa. Fountain shaped form makes it a nice focal point in smaller gardens. Will grow to about 12' tall with 1/2" diameter culms in Florida. Min USDA zone: 9b.
Feature photo in the book Bamboo World. Beautiful tight habit with persistant culm sheaths. Brought to the continental U.S. in October 2002. Maximum height is yet to be determined but 30' is my guess so far. Min temp also unknown - shouldn't be able to handle more than a few degrees F below freezing. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
A giant bamboo with large leaves and culms that are striated cream/green. Similar in appearance and form to Gigantochloa pseudoarundinacea. The main difference between these two species is that the culms of G.robusta are smooth and glossy. Will grow to about 50' tall with 4" dia. culms in South Florida. Minimum temp. 29 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9a. Click to find your zone.
This variety of G.robusta differs in that the culms that are striated GOLD/green, rather than cream/green. Side by side, the difference in culm color is distinct. Imported into USDA quarantine in 2016 and released to us in early 2018. As of late 2019, this bamboo has not thrived in our test field. It is regressing and will likely not survive.
Will grow to about 45' tall with 3" dia. culms in South Florida. Minimum temp. 29 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9a. Click to find your zone.
A new introduction from the islands of Indonesia. White stripes on canes and large leaves. Should grow to 25'-30' with 1"/2" diameter culms.
Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Translated, Hitam Hijau means black green. Very dark green culms with occasional white stripes and dramatically arching tops. Edible shoots favorite of the hill tribes of Thailand. Great for furniture and as a weeping ornamental.
This is a vary rare species in the U.S. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone. ***Only one 3 gallon plant ready for sale at this time***
Classic fountain-shaped form that's typical of Gigantochloa. Dark green culms with cream stripes on lower internodes. good quality timber.
Matures at around 30' tall. Minimum temp. 30 degrees F. Click to find your zone.
A smaller black bamboo for gardens. Green culms darken to black with age. Green stripes sometimes remain on the black culms, creating a striking appearance. The Malaysian Black is a good alternative to Gigantochloa atroviolacea, which is sometimes too large for smaller gardens. The form is similar to G.atroviolacea but MAY grow to only about 1/2 the mature size. We're still test-growing this new import to confirm its mature size.
Note: This is the same species that has been sold under the trade name "Black Diamond".
Should grow to 20' with 1" diameter culms in Florida. Minimum temp. 29 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9a. Click to find your zone.
Gigantochloa sp. Ohrnberger - Black Thai Bamboo*New
Another black bamboo? Yes, but this beauty has its own, unique features. Incredibly the culms are solid to mostly solid. This means there's potential for lots of design applications (furniture, construction, crafts, etc). Another unique feature are the green branches on black culms. Other black bamboos generally have black culms AND branches.
This bamboo was recently discovered in Thailand by Dieter Ohrnberger, author of 'The Bamboos of the World'. Ohrnberger observed that the black culms are not glabrous and glossy like Bambusa lako nor are they matte black like G.atroviolacea. The culms are somewhat in between, with a satin look and feel. Dieter Ohrnberger has it as a Gigantochloa species but it does not yet have a species name. Tropical Bamboo Nursery imported it as Gigantochloa sp. Ohrnberger and we've given it the common name 'Black Thai Bamboo'.
Should grow up to 30' with 2" diameter culms in Florida. Minimum temp. 29 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9a. Click to find your zone.
A new introduction from the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. It grows in the classic fountain form typical of Gigantochloa. Sporadic light pin-striping on the culms add ornamental intrigue.
Matures at around 30' tall. Minimum temp. 30 degrees F. Click to find your zone.
