Water Bamboo

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Phyllostachys heteroclada

Genus

Phyllostachys

Family

Poaceae

Order

Poales

How to care for Water Bamboo

💦 Water

How often to water your Water Bamboo

Water Bamboo needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Water Bamboo in your home

Water Bamboo love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Water Bamboo does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Water Bamboo in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Water Bamboo

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Water Bamboo: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Water Bamboo after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Can anyone help me save these Bambusa Oldhamii? These were sent to me today from Florida. They're almost 3 feet tall. The boxes had been compeltely crushed, but that didn't seem to be the main issue. It's the care from the nursery I bought them from. I'm very new to plant care in general. And this is just a mess. One of them, the main stalk, is 3/5 broken. Enough to bend down but not completely snapped. I stood it back up with a bamboo pole that I had from another plant, im not sure if it can heal back together like some tree branches can since this is technically a grass. As you can see, there is immense yellowing of the leaves, even the green ones are dry and crispy. The soil was wet (and one has sprouts of some other plant popping up??). I did a full water, draining into my sink, and they're getting what afternoon sun we have left. But considering their condition, I don't know how much or what type of light is best right now. I do know that they need to be watered very frequently, but that's all I have right now. I was planning on transplanting these to my backyard to block off my porch, but to grow them indoors for the hot season in large pots. If anyone can lend any advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, these are Giant Timber Bamboo. Greg just doesn't have that species registered. #bamboo #timberbamboo

Browse #Phyllostachys

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Water Bamboo prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water Bamboo Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Water Bamboo requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Water Bamboo is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Water Bamboo does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

What Are Healthy Water Bamboo Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Water Bamboo is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Water Bamboo can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 6a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Water Bamboo Hardiness Zones →

Is Water Bamboo a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Water Bamboo, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.