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.
A large, woody, thorny, green bamboo with erect culms. One of several South American timber bamboos in this genus. Our stock originated from seed that was collected and germinated by Gib Cooper of B.O.T.A.
Frequently confused with G.angustifolia. May grow taller than listed.
80' with 7" diameter culms in South Florida. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
A typically (for the genus) large-growing timber bamboo. Still, somewhat smaller than Guadua angustifolia with beautiful foliage. Short internodes, thorns on branches and culms (again typical for the genus). Will reach 60' with 4" diameter culms in S. Florida. Cannot tolerate freezing temps for any extended period. Min. USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Same as above but with large, vertical, irregular yellow stripes on
green culms. Maybe slightly slower growing than the standard form but certainly more ornamental.
At least 65' and 4" dia. culms in FL.
Min. temp. 30 �F. MIn USDA zone 9b. Click to find your zone.
Yes, that is the real species name. There are indeed fewer thorns on this species and it grows somewhat slower and smaller than the standard G.angustifolia. Like most of the Guaduas, the timber culms are excellent as construction material. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
The largest growing of the Guaduas. A true timber bamboo that is extensively used for construction throughout South and Central America. Thorns on branches - occasional "daggers" grow on culms (be careful).
Measured at 70'tall and 6.5" dia. in Florida.
Min. temp. 30 °F. Min USDA zone 9b. Click to find your zone.
A variegated and striated Guadua. Rare - introduced to the U.S. in 2004. The striated culms are very light yellow with occasional green stripes. Leaves are beautifully variegated. Mature size in Florida is yet to be determined. Two year old specimens have achieved 20' so a mature height of 40' is possible. Minimum temperature of 30 degrees F would be typical of the Guaduas. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Sale - 3 gallon plants just reduced from $150 to $75.00
A large, woody, thorny, green bamboo with erect culms. From Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. Frequently confused with G.angustifolia. May grow taller than listed.
80' with 7" diameter culms in South Florida. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
A species that's found in Mexico and Central America. Similar to G.amplexifolia. Culms thick-walled but not solid. New shoots have beautiful maroon culm sheaths which cling to the lower internodes. This species flowered and produced viable seeds in early 2012. New generation plants are now available
Melocanna baccifera - Pear Bamboo or Muli Bamboo*New
A small open clumping bamboo. Both shoots and pear-like fruit are edible (but the fruit is not very tasty).
A 2012 import, originally from India. Released from USDA quarantine in March/2013. Will be test-grown and propagated for one year, then available in 2014.
MIn USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
A 2012 import from S.W. China. Released from USDA quarantine in March/2013. Will be test-grown and propagated for one year, then available in 2014.
There is very little published data on this species. It is native to S.China and N.Thailand. The culms are delicate and almost translucent in appearance. Upright with nodding culm tips.
We will ammend the description as it develops in our S.Florida test garden.
MIn USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
Erect new lime-green culms turn yellowish with age. Shoots are edible when raw. Beautiful erect form with small, narrow cascading leaves.
The genus of this bamboo has been recently changed to Chloothamnus. Tropical Bamboo Nursery will reference both Nastus and Chloothamnus to avoid confusion.
Pictured on the cover of the book Bamboo World by Victor Cusack. Old world bamboo - from New Guinea. Very rare in the U.S. Will grow to at least 35' tall with 2" diameter culms in Florida. Minimum temp. 32 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
This is a medium sized bamboo from the Mekong delta in Vietnam. Large leaves and bushy growth habit. We've seen this bamboo in SE Asia and at bamboo nurseries Australia and it never matches the specific published taxonomic descriptive feature of tiny leaves. Not sure if it was a publishing mistake or a collection mistake, years ago, but the bamboo we're growing is the same as I found everywhere else.
Will grow about 17' tall with 1/2" diameter culms in Florida. Minimum temp. 30 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Formerly known as Bambusa forbesii.
A beautiful bamboo native to Australia (Iron Ranges) and New Guinea. It is tight clumping with very large leaves.
More of an understory bamboo and prefers some shade or warm protected areas. Not at all frost tolerant.
Beautiful as a patio plant, in containers.
We imported this species from Australia in 2011 primarily to compare and distinguish it from Bambusa atra. They are similar in overall form but the most noticeable difference is the occasional leaf variegation and culm striation on B.atra. Neither is present on N.atra. The leaves on N.atra are also larger (especially wider).
May each about 15' tall with 1/2" dia culms in Florida. Min. temp 30°F. Min USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
Like Otatea acuminata aztecorum, this small bamboo develops a very distinct cascading fountain appearance. It also prefers a drier environment than most tropical bamboos. Fairly drought tolerant but irrigation is still recommended for a healthy appearance - a drip system rather than an overhead system. Besides maturing to a smaller overall size than O.acuminata aztecorum, an identifying feature is the culm sheaths. These are shorter and never intersect each other on the culms. The culm sheaths on O.acuminata aztecorum most often overlap, exposing very little, if any, of the green culm between the sheaths. This is the easiest way to tell the difference between the two related subspecies at any age.
Usually grows to about 8' in Florida. Cold-hardy to 21 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9a. Click to find your zone.
The long narrow leaves are produced in such abundance that they almost completely obscure the culm. A very distinct cascading fountain appearance. Prefers a drier environment than most tropical bamboos. Fairly drought tolerant but irrigation is still recommended for a healthy appearance - a drip system rather than an overhead system.
Usually grows to about 15' but can grow to 20' tall with 3/4" dameter culms in Florida. Cold-hardy to 15 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9a. Click to find your zone.
