Phyllostachys heteroclada is a medium-sized running bamboo that is unusually tolerant of damp soils. Like most members of the genus Phyllostachys, the running rhizomes of this temperate bamboo can be aggressive and difficult to contain. Hardy in cold winters, P. heteroclada can withstand temperatures as low as a few degrees below zero (Fahrenheit).
This article is part of an ongoing series examining the wide range of bamboo genera and species. Check our Species Directory for the complete selection. You can also check some of these popular varieties.
Characteristics of Phyllostachys heteroclada
P. heteroclada is a medium-sized bamboo with poles reaching 30-40 tall in ideal conditions. Individual culms can get up to 2 inches in diameter. This bamboo prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade and temperatures up to 100º F and below 0º. For best results, this species should be planted in loamy soil and periodically fed with compost or light manure. As its vernacular name suggests, this variety needs regular irrigation.
In most respects, this Chinese bamboo species is very similar to many other varieties of Phyllostachys. But the most distinguishing characteristics are the ariel canals inside the rhizomes which allow this bamboo to survive in wet soil much better than other species. Hence the nickname: Water Bamboo. These features are not visible from the outside, but they essentially allow the plant to “breathe,” making it possible to move air from the damp soil into the culms.
P. heteroclada also has a subspecies called Phyllostachys heteroclada ‘Solida’ with solid culms. This solid variety is also very suitable for wet and soggy soil. Even so, do not plant this or any other bamboo species directly into a pond or a swamp. Contrary to common belief, not even “Water Bamboo” will not survive in these conditions for an extended period of time.
Light green culms and thick, generous foliage make this a desirable ornamental bamboo, especially among collectors. But it is not an easy species to find. You probably need to visit a bamboo specialty nursery. Its vigorous growth rate makes Phyllostachys heteroclada particularly popular as a privacy hedge, filling in quickly with luscious green leaves and tightly clustered culms. Containment trenches or rhizome barriers are strongly recommended unless you have an unlimited area for this plant to spread.
Learn more
For more information about cultivating and maintaining a healthy bamboo garden. take a look at these other articles.
- The complete how-to guide for bamboo growers
- When to water bamboo
- Pruning bamboo
- How to feed and fertilize bamboo
FEATURE PHOTO: Phyllostachys heteroclada soaks up the ambient humidity on a rainy summer day at Kew Royal Gardens in London. Photo by Fred Hornaday.
