Bamboo Phyllostachys Nigra   /   Phyllostachys nigra

Geographic Origin: Originates from China and Taiwan.
Adult size: 5.5 to 7.5 metres in height.
Diameter of cane: 2cm to 4cm.
Foliage: Evergreen.
Type of soil: Moist and deep. Dislikes excess of lime.
Climate: Needs to be sheltered from cold winds.
Exposure: Full sun.
Hardiness: -22°C.
Root development: Weak runner root system (slightly spreading variety).


Properties and uses:
It is recommended to plant this bamboo in small clumps. The unique color of its stems allows you to achieve spectacular effects when it is combined with other differently colored bamboos.
The young stems are initially green and covered with a white powdery coating. They progressively become darker turning an ivory black color, especially if they are exposed to the sun. The leaves are very slender, green on top and bluish grey underneath.
The turions of the phyllostachys nigra are edible. It is commonly known as the "black bamboo".

For the varieties of Bamboos that grow well in pots Bamboos for planters and pots here are some steps to follow:

1/ A plant in pot needs a special care

As for any plant in pots or planters, it is very important to check and monitor watering and fertilization. In the ground, the plants can draw nutrients they need through their roots, which is not the case for plants in pots that depend on what is available in the growing medium. For Bamboos, make sure to water everyday in summer and once a week in winter. Indeed, most Bamboos prefer moist soil. We recommend fertilizing once to twice a year according to the plant’s needs.

2/ Choosing a pot adapted to the Bamboo

In general, the growth of the plants in pots is limited by the available space. It is therefore important to adapt the size of the container to the mature size of the chosen Bamboo.

• For groundcover / dwarf Bamboos : pot depth of 30 to 50 cm / planter of 40 x 40 cm
• For small Bamboos : pot depth of 40 to 60 cm / planter of 50 x 80 cm
• For medium Bamboos : pot depth of 60 to 90 cm / planter of 100 cm x 100 cm or 200 x 200 cm

3/ Planting time

Step 1
- Place a large stone or a small piece of broken pottery at the bottom of the pot, to partially cover the drainage hole while still allowing water to escape.
- Fill the bottom of the pot with coarse material (pieces of pottery, gravel, clay pebbles, etc.) up to 5 cm. This layer prevents waterlogging in the bottom of the pot, and root rot.
- Finally, fill your pot with compost.

Step 2
- Position your plant so that the root ball is covered with 3 to 4 cm of compost, to prevent it from drying out.
- Do not compact the substrate so the roots develop well, ensuring the plant’s development too.
- Water thoroughly.