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.
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.
New cultivar. Has hollow culms unlike the other Otateas. New culms are covered in a waxy white powder giving it a silver look. Leaves are weeping and narrow.
After multiple attempts, it does not survive in South Florida more than 1.5 years. Although bamboos of the genus Otatea originate in an arid climate, some of the species in that genus adapt to the humid south Florida conditions. Otatea glauca, sadly, does not. We are leaving this information here for reference but the species will not be available from Tropical Bamboo Nursery.
Should grow to 18' tall, with 1/2" diameter culms in Florida. Minimum temp, 25 degrees F - (maybe lower). Min USDA zone: 9a. Click to find your zone.
A new introduction to our nursery.
Originally from the savannas of tropical Africa, this plant is relatively drought tolerant for a bamboo, becoming semi-deciduous in dry conditions. Looks beautiful in moist and humid conditions. Though called the wine bamboo, the alcoholic beverages brewed from this plant are more similar to beer. Should grow to 30' with 2.5" diameter culms. Minimum temp 30 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
Imported in 2011, released to us by the USDA in 2012, this species promptly went into gregarious flower in early 2013. Bamboos of the genus Schizostachyum are unique in that they always exhibit flowers but rarely produce seed. This flowering episode was much different in that our specimen became leafless under the stress of flowering. Seeds were produced and we were able to germinate several. New generation plants of the species are now growing at Tropical Bamboo Nursery & Gardens. Mostly found in Thailand but also in Viet Nam and Malaysia.
Will grow to about 25' tall with 1" diameter culms.
Minimum temp. 30 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
The name 'Ratchaphruek' alludes to the botanic garden, Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, Chiang Mai, where this variety grows.
Called phai khiao amon in Thailand, which translates to 'bamboo green immortal God'.
This is a stunning, ornamental bamboo with bright yellow-striped green stems - best as a solitary specimen. Grows well in full sun on moist soil, or in partial shade. It is extremely rare, even in Thailand. We imported it from Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2012 and a single plant was released to us from USDA quarantine in 2014. We now have very limited stock of 3 gallon plants.
Very tropical - will not survive temperatures below freezing. Min USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
Culm green with occasional narrow darker green longitudinal striae. Persistent culm sheath. Not as ornate as the yellow Sacred Bali Bamboo but similar overall in form. Will grow to 35' tall with 2" diameter culms. Very tropical - will not survive temperatures below freezing. Min USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
Schizostachyum brachycladum Yellow Form - Sacred Bali Bamboo
Bright Yellow with occasional vertical green stripes on culms. Large leaves with occasional variagation. Striking bamboo. Tight clumping, few low branches.
Has been described as being extremely tropical and unable to survive temperatures even approaching freezing. After many years of observation in South Florida, we have found the species to be no more sensitive than many other of our tropical bamboos when exposed to short-term temps near freezing. It can be, however, unforgiving if planted in less than ideal growing conditions. Specimens can languish for years then, when moved to a better location in the same garden, quickly thrive.
35' with 2" culms in Florida. Min. temp 30°F. Min USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
We imported this species from southern China in July/2012. Released to us from USDA quarantine in mid-2013. A tight clumper with long, pendulous tops.
The culms very thin walled with long internodes. Useful for a crafts and flutes.
Will grow to about 25' tall with 1" diameter culms.
Minimum temp. 30 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
A small understory bamboo with a fountain shape and large leaves. The species name S.flexuosum has been recently confirmed by Dr. Elizabeth Widjaja during her U.S. visit in late 2007. Until then, bamboo aficionados called the species Schizostachyum tutu as a referral to the Indonesian import that was originally numbered by Dr. Widjaja. The species ID tag # was Schizostachyum 2-2.
Grows to 10' tall with 1/2" diameter culm in Florida. Minimum temp. 30 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b/10. Click to find your zone.
All-green culms with weeping tops makes this bamboo a nice focal point in the garden. A tight clumper with long, pendulous tops.
The culms are very thin walled with long internodes. Useful for a crafts and flutes.
Will grow to about 25' tall with 1" diameter culms.
Minimum temp. 30 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
Erect culms are tight clumping. Internodes can be over 3 feet long. It seldom flowers. May be synonym for S.lima. Will grow to 30' tall with 1" diameter culms. Very tropical. Will begin to show signs of stress below 40 degrees F. Click to find your zone.
Has very long internodes, up to 3 feet. Used in the Solomon Islands to make pan flutes and for weaving. Large leaves, fountain-shaped overall form. Will grow 16' tall with 3/4" diameter culms in Florida. Minimum temp. 35 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
A large tufted elegant bamboo with thin, delicate leaves. Culms straight and culm leaves (sheaths) are not retained on new culms, unlike T.siamensis. When culm sheaths are shed, new culms reveal a distinct lime-green color. Very tight clumping pattern. This is a rare species in the U.S. so we're still test-growing.
Will grow to at least 40' tall with 2.5" diameter culms in Florida. Minimum temp. 27 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
One of the most graceful bamboos known. Culm walls very thick,
almost solid - small leaves. Extremely erect and tight clumping. Culms used for umbrella handles in Thailand. Planted as an ornamental by Buddhist monks around temples. Shoots edible. There are several cultivars of this species in distribution within the U.S. and we've collected four different forms (so far). This one we call 'standard' as it is the truest in form. 40' with 3" culms. Min. temp 25�F.
Min USDA zone: 9b. Click to find your zone.
