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.
Dark green culms with lighter green pinstripes that fade a bit as the culms mature. The new (edible) shoots are especially impressive with swirling yellow stripes on the green base. One of the newer introductions to S. Florida. Originally classified as a Dendrocalamus, it is now a Bambusa. Will grow to at least 45' tall and 4" diameter culms. Minimum temp. 29 deg F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone
Vigorous, large clumper with dark green culms. Extremely thick-walled culms with a slight zigzag and whitish bloom.
This cultivar of tuldoides ventricosa has been dubbed Clone X as it grows larger, faster, and never produces swollen internodes. Clump diameter (footprint) can exceed 15' at maturity.
65' tall, 3" diameter culms, Minimum temp 15 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 8b.Click here to find zone
Yellow culms with green vertical stripes. Occasional swollen nodes and pink coloration. One of the few tropical bamboos that's good in containers. Excellent for bonsai.
Graceful foliage at the tops of arching culms. Formerly (and incorrectly) identified as B.tuldoides Kimmei (pronounced Kim-ay)
Will grow to 30' with 2" dia. culms (if planted in the ground). Min. temp 27F. Min USDA zone: 8b. Click here to find zone.
Becomes a dwarf with swollen internodes when stressed, especially in pots. In the ground it reverts to a giant with zigzag culms and branches. In Florida, this species is rarely stressed and rarely produces bellies. It is always used as a large privacy screen. In drier climates, like SoCal, it is more likely to live up to it's common name, Buddha's Belly. See B.vulgaris Wamin if you want a belly-producing bamboo and you're in Florida.
55' tall, 3" diameter culms, Min temp 15 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 8b. Click here to find zone.
Occasionally, a culm will develop in a clump of B.vulgaris Vittata that has inverse color striping. Instead of green stripes on a yellow base, the culms are predominately green with thin yellow stripes. We've isolated a few of these and propagated them into a reliable new, inverse form of B.vulgaris Vittata. Same growth form and dimensions as the standard B.v.Vittata. 50' tall with up to 4" diameter culms. Minimum temp. 27 degrees F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone.
Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata' - Golden Hawaiian Bamboo
Very popular and recognizable. The most common ornamental bamboo found in Hawaii. Golden yellow culms with green vertical stripes that look like drip marks.
This species has been in the continental U.S. for more than a decade and propagates relatively easily.
Will grow to 50' with 4" dia. culms. Min. temp 27F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone.
Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin Striata' - Striped Buddha Belly Bamboo
A striated (and more rare) version of the popular Wamin Bamboo. The culms are a pale green color with irregular dark-green vertical stripes. The swollen internodes and overall form is the same as the standard Wamin.
12' - 15' with up to 3" dia. culms. Min. temp 27F. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone.
Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin' - Dwarf Buddha Belly Bamboo
A dwarf bamboo that is perfect by a pond but will fit just about any landscape. Swollen internodes are unusual and are sure to attract your visitors' attention. This bamboo could have been conjured up by Tim Burton or Dr. Seuss.
In Florida (and other warm, humid areas) this species is much more reliable and consistent in producing swollen internodes (bellies) than the first species given the name Buddha Belly Bamboo, Bambusa ventricosa (tuldoides).
*If this bamboo is too cold sensitive for your location, we have an exciting new import that may become a good substitute for sub-tropical areas down to USDA zone 8b. Bambusa tuldoides "Swollen Internode'.
12' - 15' with up to 3" dia. culms. Min. temp 27F. Min USDA zone 9b. Click here to find zone.
Common throughout the tropical world. Open clump, culms
spaced a foot or two apart.
Grows to at least 65' and 5" dia. culms in Florida. Min USDA zone: 9b. Click here to find zone.
Imported in 2012. Released from USDA quarantine in March/2013. Grows primarily in southern China. The species name and description was first published (Gamble) in 1896. Finally, it's in the USA. Will be test-grown and propagated for one year, then available in 2014.
Cold-hardiness is unknown at this time, however it will likely suffer in sub-freezing temperatures.
Min USDA zone: 10. Click here to find zone.
A 2012 import. Released from USDA quarantine in March/2013. Grows throughout tropical Asia, including SW China, Burma, and India. Will be test-grown and propagated for one year, then available in 2014.
Cold-hardiness is unknown at this time, however it will likely suffer in sub-freezing temperatures.
MIn USDA zone: 10. Click here to find zone.
A rare, new introduction. Culms are straight and erect. Stunningly beautiful and distinctly identifiable new shoots are powder-blue with copper-colored culm sheaths. In Thailand, used as a flavor-adding vessel for cooking sitcky rice. Also used by the Dai people of South China for cooking rice and for tea-brewing vessels. To learn more, follow this link: Tinwa Bamboo
Grows to 30' tall with 2" diameter culms. Min. temp. 29 degrees F. MIn USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
Imported April/2011 into USDA quarantine and was expected to be available after the summer of 2013. After one full year of field testing, it has become obvious that it will be a spectacular but slow-developing bamboo in South Florida. We have no expectations of availability any time soon, if ever. There are currently three specimens growing in our fields but none of those are really thriving. They're alive and are sending up an occasional new shoot. None are in containers as every attempt to containerize has been unsuccessful. We will continue to experiment in an attempt to find what this species is lacking in our environment.
To be clear, we have NO expectations of ever having available plants of this species.
Imported in 2012. Released from USDA quarantine in March/2013. Grows primarily in southern China. Not much published info on this species. We will monitor and report on its growth characteristics. Will be test-grown and propagated. Limited stock available in 2014.
Cold-hardiness is unknown at this time, however it will likely suffer in sub-freezing temperatures.
Min USDA zone: 10. Click here to find 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.
Culms scandent, pendulous at the tip. Grows amongst other trees and plants, using them for support. New shoots and young culms are black. Culm-internodes, smooth; distally glabrous. Branch complement, several.
Dimensions are difficult to describe as it generally takes the form of whatever supports it. The culms will be smaller than 1/2" diameter and their length can be more than 30' long, each leaning and winding upwards through support branches and foliage.
Cold-hardiness is unknown at this time, however it will likely suffer in sub-freezing temperatures.
Min USDA zone: 10.Click here to find zone.
New introduction from Thailand (2012). Released to us from USDA quarantine in March/2013. Grows mainly in the north of Thailand but can be found in , Burma, Laos, Vietnam, and south China. Culms erect, upright, bending and drooping above; culm internodes green, long, and thin-walled. Shoots edible but not popular in Thailand. Easy growing in light shade to full sun.
Cold-hardiness is unknown at this time, however it will likely suffer in sub-freezing temperatures.
MIn USDA zone: 10. Click to find your zone.
