We usually think of bamboo as a giant grass, often reported to be the fastest-growing terrestrial plant on earth. Indeed, giant timber bamboo is amazing and impressive for its stature and growth habit. But sometimes you are better off with something small and unobtrusive.

Among the 1,500+ species of bamboo, many Dwarf Bamboo varieties can serve as attractive ornamental accents, excellent ground covers, low hedges, and borders. Unlike their massive cousins, these diminutive varieties may grow only several inches or just a few feet tall. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular species of Dwarf Bamboo and the many reasons you might prefer these.

This article is part of an extensive series covering the many species and varieties of bamboo. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive overview, try perusing our Complete Guide to Growing Bamboo. You will also find these resources useful:

• Running Bamboo vs Clumping Bamboo
• Directory of Bamboo Species

NOTE: This entry first appeared in October 2019, most recently updated in June 2026.

Quick Guide to Dwarf Bamboo Species

These and other dwarf bamboo species are described in greater detail later in the article.

Species	Height	Sun/Shade	Runner/Clumper	Best Use
Pleioblastus pygmaeus	1-2 ft	Sun-part shade	Runner	Groundcover
Pleioblastus fortunei	2-3 ft	Part shade	Runner	Variegated groundcover
Sasa pygmaea	1 ft	Shade	Runner	Woodland gardens
Shibataea kumasaca	5-7 ft	Sun-shade	Runner	Low hedge
Tiny Fern	2-3 ft	Sun-part shade	Clumper	Containers
Shiroshima	8-10 ft	Sun-shade	Runner	Specimen plant

Benefits of dwarf bamboo

When you buy a small pot of bamboo from a nursery, most of these plants will grow taller than you within a year or two. And eventually, some of them could even tower over your house. These bamboo giants are wonderful if you’re seeking a massive specimen plant or a tall privacy screen.

In this article, we will also give you a list of species to look for if you want a dwarf bamboo or a ground cover. However, they can be great for short hedges or accents alongside more towering specimens.

But there are plenty of reasons why you might prefer to grow a dwarf bamboo rather than one of those noble grasses that grow to be 20, 30, or 60 feet tall. These low-growing bamboos can provide lovely ground covers and short hedges, as well as accents alongside more towering specimens.

Space limitations for bamboo

The most obvious benefit of dwarf bamboo is that it just doesn’t need as much space. If you are gardening in a suburban neighborhood with only a small patch of dirt to work with, you might just have to stick with small plants.

A lot of gardeners are afraid to plant bamboo on account of its notorious reputation. And rightly so. Many species of bamboo, particularly the running varieties, can really take over your yard. And once established, it won’t be long before those aggressive rhizome roots crawl under the fence and invade your neighbors’ gardens, too.

One solution is to look for a clumping bamboo, like Alphonse Karr, a beautifully striped bamboo, or Oldham’s bamboo, which is a giant timber variety with a clumping growth habit. But if you really want to keep it compact, you might want to plant a species of dwarf bamboo.

Warning: Most dwarf bamboos are runner

Keep in mind that most dwarf bamboos are actually runners, with pretty expansive rhizomes. They might not get very tall, but they will tend to spread out. The good news is that even though the roots are aggressive, they’re still relatively small in size, so they aren’t too hard to dig up. On the other hand, these slender rhizomes are unusually capable of slipping into tight crevices, creating a nuisance and sometimes doing damage to patio structures and underground irrigation lines. Therefore, I strongly recommend some kind of rhizome barrier or containment trench.

Dwarf bamboo in the shade

Their low stature makes dwarf bamboo a good choice in the understory, beneath taller trees. These shady zones are the most suitable setting for dwarf bamboo. Perhaps your garden space is limited because you already have a few big trees in your yard, leaving your whole garden obscured by shadows. So much for those juicy tomatoes and zucchini.

With limited light and vertical space to work with, dwarf bamboo is a great alternative. These types of bamboo typically thrive in the undergrowth, where they only see occasional splinters of direct sunlight. Also, you don’t have to worry about giant culms—for which bamboo is famous—shooting up a couple of feet a day and getting all tangled up in your pine trees.

Bamboo as an accent or ground cover

In many cases, a bamboo enthusiast will plant dwarf bamboo in addition to some larger varieties, not simply as a substitute, but as a complement. When you look at a mature bamboo grove, the thick poles are striking, the dense foliage is impressive, but the ground is bare. Nothing but a thin mat of fallen bamboo leaves.

In a forest of timber bamboo, this is only natural. But in a cultivated garden, you might prefer something more interesting. And what could grow better in the undergrowth of your giant bamboo plants than a bit of dwarf bamboo?

The trick here is to find a specimen that will provide some good contrast, without simply getting lost in the underbrush. For example, if you have a large or medium bamboo with solid yellow poles and deep green leaves, you can accent it with a dwarf bamboo that has lighter leaves, or even stripes.

This kind of accenting also works very well—maybe even better—with other non-bamboo plants. In a zen-style garden, for instance, with Japanese maples and Mugo pine (dwarf mountain pine) trees, a little bamboo border or ground cover can provide the perfect companion.

Dwarf bamboo in pots and indoors

Dwarf varieties also make an excellent choice when you want to keep your bamboo indoors or in a pot. And we’ve already covered indoor bamboo and potted bamboo in great detail in previous articles.

These are popular options, usually for space considerations in small homes or apartments with limited garden area. But it can be difficult to keep a bamboo happy and healthy this way. Generally, this grass prefers to be outdoors and in the ground. One way to overcome the challenges of growing bamboo inside or in a container is to plant a dwarf variety.

Varieties of dwarf bamboos

Once you’ve assessed your garden and decided that dwarf bamboo is the best choice for your situation, you can start looking at different species. Among the thousands of species and subspecies of bamboo, there are just a handful of dwarf cultivars that do well in a temperate climate.

Note: There are several other species of bamboo with dwarf cultivars, but in many cases, the typical member of the species grows 40 or 50 feet tall, while the “dwarf” only gets 10 or 20 feet tall. This list focuses on varieties that only grow a couple feet or less.

• Bambusa multiplex “Tiny fern” and “Tiny fern striped”: Like other Bambusas, these are tropical clumpers that prefer warmer conditions. As dwarf varieties, they stay short and compact, not more than 2 or 3 feet tall. The striped cultivar has thin yellow culms with pretty green stripes. And as their names suggest, the delicate foliage resembles fern fronds.
• Bambusa guangxiensis “Chinese dwarf”: This clumping bamboo is called a dwarf, but it can actually grow up to 20 or 30 feet tall. It’s a very attractive species, and easy to keep contained, but don’t think of it as a ground cover.
• Hibanobambusa tranquillans ‘Shiroshima’: This is a rare species of bamboo native to Japan. Small in size but big on personality, this wispy bamboo has thin, striped leaves and will grow about 10 feet tall. It’s tolerant of both sun and shade, very cold-hardy, and is even known to do well indoors.
• Otatea acuminata “Mexican Weeping Bamboo”: Although it can grow more than 25 feet tall, there is a dwarf variety of this species which is considerably smaller. They generally grow to about 4 or 5 feet tall. This clumping bamboo grows bushy, with delicate, graceful leaves.
• Pleioblastus fortunei “Dwarf whitestripe”: This is a running bamboo, but it’s short and bushy and makes a great ground cover. Many gardeners will cut it back in the winter, maybe even with a lawnmower. This encourages it to spread out, if you want to cover a larger area of the garden. Many other species in the genus Pleiobastus have similarly small proportions.
• Pleioblastus pygmaeus: Commonly known as Pygmy bamboo, this is another popular dwarf species, with solid, bright green leaves. It generally grows up to about 2 feet high, but can be pruned much shorter. Small hairs are detectable on the leaves. Ideal candidate for bonsai.
• Pseudosasa owatarii: A cold-hardy running bamboo from Japan that only gets about 1 foot tall, with rich green foliage.
• Sasa pygmaea: Sasa is a genus of small shade-loving runners, and this is an especially petite species that gets about 12 inches tall. It’s great as a border or ground cover, and it can spread vigorously. (Sometimes classified as Pleioblastus pygmaeus.)
• Sasa veitchii: For low hedges and cold climates, this unusual bamboo variety adds something of interest to the exotic garden.
• Sasaella: This genus of Japanese bamboo includes about a dozen species of running bamboo. They are generally short and compact with slender culms and extremely vigorous roots. They’re also quite cold-hardy. S. masamuneana has dark green leaves and grows 1 to 4 feet tall, depending on how much sunlight it gets. ‘Albostriata’ is a variegated subspecies with striped leaves, growing 5 to 10 feet tall.
• Shibataea kumasaca: A very unusual variety, but perfect for low hedges. Foliage — made up of short, stubby leaves — is especially dense, with pencil-thin culms that get no more than 5-7 feet tall. Despite its diminutive size, this species is a runner and may become invasive if not properly contained. Tolerates shady areas and is cold-hardy down to 5º F.
  

Maintaining dwarf bamboo

As mentioned above, the dwarf bamboos generally prefer a shady setting in the garden. In their natural habitat, they usually thrive under the canopy of larger trees and shrubs.

Like most bamboos and grasses, they require pretty regular watering, about once or twice a week. At the height of summer, they may need water every day. Sprinklers or the spray from a garden hose are preferable to get the leaves wet. Just don’t do this if they are in direct sunlight, as that can burn the leaves. If the leaves begin to lose color and turn pale, or start to curl, that’s a sign that they need more water.

If you’re growing bamboo as a border and want to keep it within a specific area, you will need some kind of containment strategy or rhizome barrier. Although the plants are small and short, the roots of dwarf runners can still spread quickly.

If you live in a climate that freezes, the leaves may brown and drop in the winter. In that case, it’s best to cut it all the way back and wait for the fresh green growth of spring. Even if it doesn’t freeze, you may want to do that just to promote more lateral growth and fresh foliage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dwarf Bamboo

What is the smallest species of bamboo?

Several bamboo species remain under 2 feet tall. Among the most popular are Pleioblastus pygmaeus (Dwarf Green Stripe Bamboo) and Sasa pygmaea. Under ideal conditions, these low-growing species form dense carpets of foliage that make excellent groundcovers.

Is dwarf bamboo invasive?

Many dwarf bamboos are running bamboos, meaning they spread through underground rhizomes. While they don’t grow very tall, some species can spread several feet per year if left unmanaged. Root barriers, trenches, or regular maintenance can help keep them under control.

Does dwarf bamboo grow in shade?

Yes. In fact, many dwarf bamboo species perform exceptionally well in partial shade or woodland settings. Species such as Sasa veitchii and Pleioblastus fortunei are often grown beneath trees or along shaded pathways.

Can dwarf bamboo be used as a groundcover?

Absolutely. Some of the best bamboo groundcovers include Pleioblastus pygmaeus, Sasa pygmaea, and Pleioblastus fortunei. These species spread quickly and create a dense, evergreen cover that suppresses weeds and helps prevent soil erosion.

Can I grow dwarf bamboo in containers?

Yes. Smaller bamboo species are often excellent choices for containers, courtyards, patios, and balconies. Growing bamboo in a container also helps prevent unwanted spreading.

How fast does dwarf bamboo grow?

Growth rates vary by species and climate, but most dwarf bamboos establish quickly. Once established, many species can spread outward by 1 to 3 feet per year, forming dense colonies.

Does dwarf bamboo stay green year-round?

Most dwarf bamboo species are evergreen in mild climates. In colder regions, foliage may become damaged by frost or winter winds, but healthy plants generally recover with fresh growth in spring.

What’s the difference between dwarf bamboo and mondo grass?

Although they can serve similar landscaping purposes, dwarf bamboo belongs to the grass family and spreads through rhizomes. It typically grows taller, spreads faster, and creates a more dramatic, tropical appearance than mondo grass.

What is the best dwarf bamboo for a Japanese garden?

Shibataea kumasaca, Sasa veitchii, and selected Pleioblastus cultivars are among the most popular choices for Japanese-style gardens. Their elegant foliage and compact habit complement stonework, water features, and traditional garden designs.

Will mowing control dwarf bamboo?

In some situations, yes. Regular mowing can help contain spreading bamboo and may eventually weaken unwanted growth. However, mowing alone rarely eliminates an established bamboo stand because the underground rhizomes remain alive. The real advantage of mowing dwarf bamboo is to remove older foliage and promote fresh, new growth.

Learn more

If you found this article helpful, you might also enjoy the following posts.

• 10 Best bamboo varieties for your garden
• Variegated bamboos with stripes
• 12 Cold-hardy varieties of bamboo

FEATURE IMAGE: Pleioblastus fortunei in Sonoma, California. Photo by Fred Hornaday.