Stone Bamboo

Phyllostachys angusta

Plant Details

USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 6-11 Find Your Zone

(Root hardy to Zone 5)

Type: Running

Height: Zone 6: 12-15’+ | Zones 7-11: 20-25′

Spread: 5’+ with no control

Suggested Spacing: 4-6′ apart for privacy screens and hedges

Culm Diameter: 1.25″

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade

Soil: Moist but Well-Drained, average fertility

Growth Rate: Fast in warmer climates. Moderate in cooler climates.

Description

A very rare species, Phyllostachys anugusta, commonly called Stone Bamboo, was named such for its exceptionally hard culms with thick walls that is used in China for making fine furniture and crafts. The edible shoots emerge a cream color with black spots that fall away to reveal almost perfectly straight light olive green culms. One of the shortest of the Phyllostachys, Stone Bamboo has a moderate to fast growth rate that you can expect to reach 10 to 12 feet tall in USDA Zone 6 and 20 to maybe 25 feet tall in good soil in zones further south. The stand and foliage is thick and impenetrable and the branching low for a dense hedge or privacy screen or as a specimen in large containers.

Stone Bamboo loves the sun but will also grow in part shade and is hardy to -5°F. It holds up very well to heavy snow loads up to 2 feet and younger canes that bend over will stand up straight after the snow has melted.

Average Height by USDA Zone

USDA Zones 7-11: 20 to 25′ in height

USDA Zone 6: 12 to 15′ in height

Landscape & Other Uses

Containers/Pots: Excellent

Crafts: Excellent

Edible: Good

Hedge: Good

Indoor: Good, well-lit – PLEASE SEE: How To Grow Bamboo Plants Indoors

Ornamental: Good

Privacy Screen: Excellent

Wood Quality: Excellent

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a, where this Bamboo is not reliably 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 in spring.

Growing Preferences

Stone Bamboo is easy to grow in most any moist and well-drained soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. Drought tolerant when established. Does not like constantly wet soil or standing water.

How To Grow Bamboo Plants Indoors

Stone 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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Arrived timely and in great shape. Thanks very much.—————————————————-You’re welcome! 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