Note: These 3 gallon size Black Bamboo plants are a new crop with shorter canes but they have very nice rhizomes and will flush lots of new tall canes in spring!

Black Bamboo

Phyllostachys nigra

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-11 Find Your Zone

Type: Running

Height: Zone 6: 15′ | Zones 7-9: 25-35′

Spread: 5’+ with no control

Culm Diameter: 2″

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade

Soil: Average

Growth Rate: Fast

Description

Introduced in 1827 and one of the most exotic and ornamental of all the Phyllostachys species, the Black Bamboo is reported to be the only species in which the entire culm turns a true ebony color, making it an excellent selection for the ornamental landscape or in containers. New canes emerge green and turn ebony black within 6 months to a year or so, ultimately reaching 15 feet tall in cooler climates and up to 30 feet in height in warmer climates. The culm sheath have wavy blades with prominent oral setae, auricles and ligules. The handsome green leaves contrasts beautifully with the dark canes.

Please Note: The foliage of Black Bamboo has been damaged at temperatures below 10 degree Fahrenheit under high wind conditions. If a dry wind is possible, plant in a protected area or maybe consider the Spotted Leopard Bamboo. Foliage loss occurs at 0 to -5 F, with complete top kill of canes at around -10 to -15 F. Black Bamboo is being grown in USDA Zone 6 with moderate top damage during the harsh winter months.

Average height by USDA Zone

USDA Zone 7-11: average 25 to 35 feet in height.

USDA Zone 6: average 16 feet in height.

Landscape & Other Uses

Containers/Pots: Good

Crafts: Good

Edible: Good

Hedge: Good

Indoor: 6 hours min. sun – PLEASE SEE: How To Grow Bamboo Plants Indoors

Ornamental: Excellent

Privacy Screen: Excellent

Wood Quality: Good

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a, where this Bamboo is not winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up.

Growing Preferences

Black Bamboo is easy to grow when planted in the right environment. It will tolerate some shade but the culms are not as erect in shaded sides as some other species and tend to weep or arch over. Therefore, the more sun the better. We suggest 6 hours direct sunlight a day for best performance. Black Bamboo appreciate a moist but well-drained loose soil of average fertility. When established, most bamboo will tolerate periods of dry weather, however, will appreciate an occasional deep soaking if the leaves begin to curl from drought distress. If your planting site is especially dry or will be exposed regularly to dry wind consider planting in a more protected area or maybe consider the Spotted Leopard Bamboo.

How To Grow Bamboo Plants Indoors

Black Bamboo is a running bamboo, which means it spreads. Bamboo can be controlled in a small area (a normal city yard) simply by mowing or stepping on the young shoots. New shoots of some bamboo can also be used for culinary purposes and cooked, much like asparagus. Keep in mind that running bamboo only puts up new shoots for a short time each year and, when they are “shooting,” the new plants are very fragile and easy to destroy. Root pruning or installing Bamboo Root Barrier are other methods to control spread.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Bamboo plants.

How To Grow Bamboo Plants Indoors

How To Plant Bamboo Plants In The Ground

How To Plant Bamboo Plants In Containers & Pots

How To Fertilize And Water Bamboo Plants

How To Prune Bamboo Plants

How To Stop The Spread Of Bamboo Plants

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Oh my goodness, received in top condition and amazed at the black color of the bamboo. I am sure glad I decided to order this bamboo.
I have that special location to plant it for all to see passing by.—————————————————-Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The plant was delivered in a sturdy shipping box and had no breakage. I have had it a few weeks and its doing great. Already have some growth. It was larger than I though it would be so that was an additional bonus.————————————————————–Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My black bamboo arrived in perfect condition within a week. I’ve had it for a couple of weeks and still growing strong.——————————————————————–Thanks for the photos! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the awesome review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I placed an order for these Black Bamboo and I was so pleased with how they arrived. The care in boxing these up was above and beyond what I expected. The plants were exactly as promised, full and beautiful. Thanks so much. Brandi——————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The bamboo is very full and looks very nice. I am very pleased with the delivery process with this company as well.——————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Purchased 8 months ago, this bamboo has weathered through a few below freezing. temperatures and recently some high winds. It arrived at about 4 ft in height and now close to 6 feet. It already had black culms (it is stated they start out green and turn black in 6-12 months so very happy with the culms.).————————————————————————-Thanks for the photo! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I highly recommend Wilson Bros Garden for purchasing plants online. The bamboo I ordered came in and was in great shape. They had many varieties of bamboo to choose from and helpful information about how to care for it and best place for placement/conditions. I can’t wait for the bamboo to adjust to my Terrace! Thanks so much.——————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Nice, full plant. Fast shipping and the packaging was excellent. I always get good plants from Wilson Bros.————————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

I bought 2 of these 3 gallon plants. They were mailed the next day. They arrived in excellent shape. Great looking, healthy and ready to plant. Totally impressed with my bamboo.————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

These came expertly packaged. The plants looked really nice. I will keep this place in mind . Tired of those big box store’s plants dying on me.——————————-Thanks so much for the photos, they are beautiful. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Beautiful plant. Larger than I anticipated. Packed very well.
I’m tickled. Great customer service, they kept me updated at every step. Will buy again and will refer friends.
Belinda—————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG