There are more than a thousand species of grass in the bamboo family, and many of the most popular bamboos for gardening come from the tropics or subtropics, so they much prefer the warmer climates. But with so many varieties to choose from, you can be sure that a sufficient number of bamboos will grow happily in the snowy mountain regions and far northern latitudes like Canada.

Dozens of varieties of cold-hardy bamboo can tolerate snowy winters and freezing temperatures. Many species will withstand temperatures as low as -10º to -20º F. In general, running bamboo is considered temperate, while clumping bamboo is mainly tropical. Runners, therefore, especially of the genus Phyllostachys, tend to be the most popular in cold climates. But some of the cold-hardiest bamboo species are clumpers, from the genus Fargesia.

Note: This article first appeared in January 2019, last updated in February 2024.

Bamboo Genus Sasa palmata
Cold-hardy with a low stature, Sasa palmata grows well in Germany. (Photo by Fred Hornaday)

Which bamboo can I grow in the snow?

We hear this question all the time, especially from our friends in Canada. Can I grow bamboo in the snow?

The short answer is YES. But the long answer is that it really depends on what variety of bamboo you are growing. Running bamboo tends to be more suitable for cold climates. But there are also a few varieties of clumping bamboo that can withstand a deep freeze,

Phyllostachys is one of the most widespread genera of bamboo, primarily native to China and including about 50 distinct species. Almost every species of Phyllostachys is a fast-spreading runner (with an aggressive rhizome root system), and many of them are cold-hardy, down to -5 or -10º F. But you’ll want to keep a close eye on these running bamboos to be sure they don’t become invasive, as runners sometimes do.

Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens wax bamboo
The genus Phyllostachys includes dozen of cold-hardy bamboo species. (Photo by Fred Hornaday)

Fargesia is another major genus of bamboo, also indigenous to China and Southeast Asia. Unlike Phyllostachys, the Fargesia bamboos are chiefly dense-growing clumpers. This and their extreme cold hardiness have made many varieties of Fargesia very popular among gardeners. The fact is, most clumping bamboos come from tropical and subtropical climates, so cold-hardy clumpers are especially rare and desirable.

Botanical nameCommon nameDescription
Phyllostachys aureosulcataYellow groove bambooRunning bamboo with distinctive yellow stripe
Phyllostachys heteroclada f. solidaWater bambooRunning bamboo with solid (rather than hollow) canes
Phyllostachys bissetiiBissetiiRunning bamboo with dense dark green foliage
Phyllostachys nudaNudaRunning bamboo with an attractive appearance
Phyllostachys atrovaginataIncense bambooRunning bamboo with waxy, aromatic coating
Phyllostachys parvifoliaRunning bamboo with thick canes and small leaves
Phyllostachys vivaxVivaxRunning timber bamboo
Fargesia murielaeUmbrella bambooClumping bamboo with colorful bluish culms
Fargesia nitidaBlue fountain bambooClumping with colorful culms and cascading leaves
Fargesia dracocephalaDragon head bambooClumping with thick canes and weeping foliage
Fargesia rufaRufaClumping bamboo for cool, shady areas
Fargesia sp. ‘Jiuzhaigou’Red dragon, Black cherryClumping bamboo, compact but colorful
Indocalamus tessellatusGiant leaf bambooShort, shrubby runner with giant leaves
Bashania fargesiiWindbreak bambooVery aggressive runner, with sturdy upright culms
Sasa palmataDwarf variety with vigorous, running rhizomes

Phyllostachys bissetii branching
With paired branches like this, you can be sure it’s a cold-hardy Phyllostachys. (Photo by Fred Hornaday)

Cold hardy runners

  • Phyllostachys aureosulcata: The “yellow groove bamboo” is easily recognizable for the yellow stripe that’s visible on the dark green culms. A subspecies known as “crookstem bamboo” has shoots that sometimes grow in a zig-zag manner. This visually interesting and attractive variety can grow up to nearly 50 feet in height, even in freezing temperatures. But in zones where it regularly gets below -10 or 15º F, it probably won’t grow more than 10 feet tall.
  • Phyllostachys heteroclada f. solida: This subspecies of “water bamboo” is commonly known as “solid bamboo”. It’s one of the few varieties that actually has a solid stem, rather than being hollow inside. It’s also a bit more cold-resistant than ordinary water bamboo, hardy down to -10º F.
  • Phyllostachys bissetii: Very dense-growing, with a thick bushy canopy, and very cold hardy. The one-inch shoots will grow up to about 20 feet in height. Cold hardy to at least -10º F, even down to -25º with proper mulching.
  • Phyllostachys nuda: A very attractive and cold-hardy species, its shoots get 1-2 inches in diameter and 25-30 feet in height. Young shoots appear very dark, almost black, turning a rich, dark green as they mature, usually with pretty, white rings around the culm nodes.
  • Phyllostachys atrovaginata: Popularly known as “incense bamboo”, this variety has a waxy coat that gives the culms a very pleasant fragrance in hot weather or when rubbed. Many gardeners appreciate how fast this bamboo grows, with thick culms of 3 inches or more in diameter and up to about 40 feet in height. Good at temperatures as low as -10 or 15º F.
  • Phyllostachys parvifolia: Like water bamboo, the rhizomes of this species are well adapted for wet and saturated soil. Small leaves make the thick, dark green culms stand out, and the white rings around the nodes give them even more character. Fresh shoots of this variety are reputed to be delicious in flavor. Mature shoots can get up to 40 feet tall, and it is cold hardy down to -15º F.
  • Bashania fargesii: The thick, sturdy culms with dense foliage make this an especially popular choice for windbreaks and privacy screens. It’s also one of the most vigorous growers, so watch out! Native to the mountains of southern China, this species is cold hardy down to around 0º F. Culms reach about 2 inches in diameter and 20 to 30 feet in height, with unusually long internodes.
Sasaella ramosa in Berlin Germany
The genus Sasaella includes about 10 species of cold-hardy dwarf bamboo. (Photo by Fred Hornaday)

You might also look for some Arundinaria, the only genus of bamboo indigenous to the United States. Despite being native, it’s not easy to find in nurseries. Arundinaria gigantea ‘Macon’ is an exceptionally hardy cultivar that also does well in wet soil.

Sasa and Sasaella, two bamboo genera from Japan and eastern China are also known to be very cold-hardy. And one species of Sasa is native to Russia! For the most part, these are small, dwarf varieties of bamboo that make excellent hedges or ground covers, keeping green all year around.

REMEMBER: If you’re planting running bamboo, like any Phyllostachys variety, always use a root barrier. Check out this Deep Root Barrier available from Amazon. Also, check out our list of bamboo gardening supplies and this detailed article on bamboo containment practices.

Deep Root Bamboo Barrier

Cold hardy clumpers

  • Fargesia murielae: Commonly known as “umbrella bamboo”, many consider this to be among the most beautiful varieties for cultivation. New shoots have a light blue hue, turning dark green and yellow with age. Growing this bamboo in a shady area will help preserve the rich blue shade. Thin shoots will get about 12 feet tall, and it’s hardy down to -20º F.
  • Fargesia nitida: “Blue fountain bamboo” earned its name from the dark purple, bluish culms and the thick, cascading canopy of foliage. One-inch poles can get to about 15 feet tall, and thrive in temperatures as low as -20º F.
  • Fargesia dracocephala: “Dragon head bamboo” has thick culms growing to about 10 feet, with a thick, weeping leaf canopy that can provide a good privacy hedge. Not recommended for hot, humid climates, but cold hardy down to -10º F.
  • Fargesia rufa: A compact, thick and bushy variety, Rufa much prefers cooler climates, and also does well in partial shade, protected from afternoon sun. This species is hardy down to -15º F. Thin culms grow to about 10 feet tall.
  • Fargesia sp. ‘Jiuzhaigou’: This species includes many interesting and cold-hardy cultivars, including “red dragon” and “black cherry”. As the names suggest, these are some more colorful varietals. With thin culms growing to around 10 feet, this is a more compact species of bamboo, but cold hardy down to -20º F. Pack your bags for Canada!
Fargesia murielae clumping bamboo
Fargesia murielae is a popular species in Germany. (Photo by Fred Hornaday)

For more cold-tolerant clumping bamboo, you might also look into Borinda, Chusquea, and Himalayacalamus.

Growing Bamboo in the Cold

As you can see, there is plenty of bamboo to choose from if you’re looking to landscape an oriental-style garden in the northern habitats of the US, Canada or even Europe. Most of these species are hardy into the negative Fahrenheit territory, so as long as you aren’t expecting to dip below minus 20º or something, you should be fine. And even if the leaves get a little fried in an abnormally severe cold snap, the roots should still endure.

To give your bamboo some even greater protection against the cold, you may want to provide them with some extra heavy mulch. Normally, bamboo mulches itself as it loses leaves, but in a harsh winter climate, you’ll need to add at least a few inches of bark, wood chips or even pine needles. This will help the roots to retain moisture and keep warm, ensuring a healthy surge of new shoots when spring comes around.

Fargesia murielae flowering Sweden
The furthest north I ever found bamboo growing was in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Fred Hornaday)

Have fun gardening, and if you have any photos of snowmen in your bamboo grove, please send them our way!

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