Container Cultivation > Taming the dragon  > Long-term pot culture

Bamboos for Long–term pot culture   Slower growing bamboos, and some running species, can be kept in a pot for up to six years. Division will rejuvenate the plant.

Name

Height Max. m

Root Type

Note

Chimonobambusa

2

In this small genus there are several species suitable for containers

C. marmorea

1.5

Semi-dwarf, Japanese bamboo, tightly bunched leaves

C. marmorea ‘Variegata’

1

Thin reddish culm, yellow striped leaves

C. tumidissinoda

6

Culms green ageing to yellow, swollen nodes

Root Type

Fargesia

1

Several small species are suitable

F. dracocephala

3.5

Thin, yellowish culms, small, dark green leaves

F. murieliae

3

AGM, dense arching clumps of bright green leaves

F. murieliae ‘Simba’

2

More dwarf cultivar, fresh apple-green foliage

Root Type

Indocalamus

2*

* Usually 3 in UK. This low-growing bamboo has large green leaves:

I. latifolius, I.solidus, I. Tessellatus

All up to 1-2

Root Type

Phyllostachys

2*

* Usually 3 in UK. Bamboos in this genus are slow growing:

P. aereosulcata and cultivars

4

Green culms striped gold

P. humilis

3

Culms orange-yellow in sun

Root Type

Pleioblastus

2

All species and cultivars in this genus are suitable

P. auricomus

0.9

AGM. Yellow and green variegated leaves

P. pygmaeus

0.4

Small but vigorous

P. shibuyanus ‘Tsuboi’

1.5

Bright cream variegation

P. variegata

0.75

Variegated

Root Type

Pseudosasa japonica ‘Tsutsumiana’

3.5

2

Enlarged nodes

Sasa

1-2

2

Large leaves that bleach ornamentally in winter. Most suited are:

S. kurilensis, S.oshidensis S.tsuboi, S. veitchii

Root Type

Sasaella masamuneana ‘Albostriata’

1

2

Large cream-white variegated leaves

Shibataea kumasasa

0.6

3

Elegant dwarf Japanese species with pointed leaf tips