About
Pleioblastus humilis, toyooka-zasa, is a vigorous, potentially invasive bamboo forming low patches or thickets with slender, dark-green canes to 1.2 m bearing narrow leaves to 20 cm. An ornamental, low-growing bamboo for ground cover in a sheltered, sunny or partly shaded garden. Can spread aggressively � contain or cut back hard annually.
About the genus
Pleioblastus are evergreen bamboos with vigorously spreading rhizomes forming dense thickets of slender canes bearing several leafy branches at each node. Grown as ornamental bamboos for screens, ground cover and garden specimens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBamboos
HabitSuckering, Clump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
Native toS China
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Protect from cold drying winds. Creeping rootstock can become invasive in warm, moist or favourable conditions and need restraining ; see bamboo control and bamboo cultivation
PruningRemove weak, dead, damaged or spindly stems in spring and thin to show off stems to best effect. Cut out any flowering shoots promptly to discourage more from forming - see bamboo cultivation
PropagationPropagate by division, separate rhizomes in spring, keeping divisions moist until well established
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free