Black Bamboo
Phyllostachys nigra
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:Â 6a-11Â Find Your ZoneÂ
Type:Â Running
Height:Â Zone 6: 15′ | Â Zones 7-9: 25-35′
Spread: Â 5’+ with no control
Culm Diameter:Â 2″
Sun:Â Full Sun or Part Shade
Soil:Â Average
Growth Rate:Â 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.Â
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:Â average 25 to 35 feet in height.
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USDA Zone 6:Â average 16 feet in height.
Landscape & Other Uses
Containers/Pots:Â Good
Crafts:Â Good
Edible:Â Good
Hedge:Â Good
Indoor:Â 6 hours min. sun –Â PLEASEÂ SEE:Â How To Grow Bamboo Plants Indoors
Ornamental:Â Excellent
Privacy Screen:Â Excellent
Wood Quality:Â Good
Note:Â Â 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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Item was shipped quickly and was packaged very well. I was impressed by product and shipping. Product was even bigger than listed and in excellent shape—————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
Delivered promptly and in great shape. They are doing well after planting.———————————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
Over joyed .. Arrived packaged beautifully. ..
With so much information
Can’t wait for this to get bigger…
Just Love ?? it …—————————————————-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
With so much information
Can’t wait for this to get bigger…
Just Love ?? it …—————————————————-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 purchased this Black bamboo for a spot in front of an east window in our open dining/kitchen area with a 17ft ceiling. I ordered the multi cane 4-6′ version. It came well-packaged and the plant. was in great condition. The plant itself had canes that were at least 6ft and several thinner canes that were around 4ft. In fact, a new 1ft cane has already grown to about 4ft in the last 1-2 weeks! So far, it seems to be doing great. I read all the recommendation online at Wilson Bros for indoor container planting and added a small humidifier nearby to keep the moisture. I hope I can keep this one for many years . . . it definitely is a unique centerpiece on the entrance to the area :)——————————————————————————————–Thanks for the photos! 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
Your service was great. The bamboo was planted the next day and looks great.———————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂
Very quick delivery and packed extremely well. Looks beautiful! Would highly recommend.—————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂
I would most definitely do business again with Wilsonbros. My plants are already showing new growth and very satisfied. They are great and fast at replying to any questions or concerns you may have.——————————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
My bamboo arrived very well packaged to prevent damage during shipping. The bamboo was transplanted according to the instructions provided on the website and the bamboo is doing great and is very beautiful. I am looking forward to purchasing more bamboo from Wilson Bros Gardens.————————————————————–Thanks so much for your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can help you with. 🙂 – Beth | WBG



























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