Learn How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Black Bamboo

Phyllostachys nigra

Tall, dramatic, and visually impressive, black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) features ebony stems adorned with pairs of slender, lance-shaped leaves of bright green with robust, clump forming growth.

A popular choice for its fast, lush growth and distinct coloration, black bamboo is ideal for creating dense hedges, elegant privacy screens, and effective sound dampers.

And it’s a favorite for growing in large containers and patio planters as well.

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P. nigra has a running growth habit, which can quickly become aggressive if left to spread unchecked. But it can be effectively managed with regular root pruning and the use of root barriers.

And when armed with our best practice tips for care, cultivation, and spread, it makes an outstanding addition to landscapes, yards, and container gardens.

So if your gardenscape needs this stunning, graceful grass, let’s talk about how to grow black bamboo!

Here’s what I’ll cover:

Black bamboo has a tall, thin profile with the young culms emerging green then darkening to glossy, inky black as they mature.

They can grow up to 30 feet tall but only about two to four inches in diameter, forming handsome, gently arching thickets.

Native to China, P. nigra is hardy in Zones 7 to 10 and grows from underground rhizomes. New shoots typically emerge in late spring to early summer.

These plants are monocarpic which means they only flower once in their lifetime – typically after several decades. After flowering, the plant will die.

The roots have a running rather than a clumping growth habit and the plant spreads quickly into large stands.

To accommodate the ranging roots, give black bamboo a location where it can spread freely without worry of encroaching into other plantings.

How to Grow

If you’re new to growing members of the Bambusoideae family, check out our guide to growing bamboo.

Here’s a look at black bamboo care and its preferred environment for the most robust growth.

Climate

P. nigra is moderately hardy and suitable for cultivation in Zones 7 to 11.

In colder regions, the plants can be cultivated in containers but they’ll need to be moved into a sheltered spot like a garage, greenhouse, or shed for winter protection.

In addition to warm temperatures, they prefer a relative humidity of 40 to 60 percent.

Light

Choose a location that provides full to partial sun – at least six hours of direct sunshine produces dense growth with lush foliage.

Planting in a site with partial sun to light shade can result in somewhat lankier plants and slightly slower growth.

But given their slender, graceful profile and rampant spread, this is often a favorable feature.

Soil

P. nigra prefers soil with a rich, loamy composition that drains freely to prevent waterlogging, but stays evenly moist. A pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal.

A planting blend of about three-quarters organic materials to one quarter inorganic components gives these large grasses the nutrient levels and moisture retention they enjoy.

Start with two parts of organic materials such as compost, rotted manure, garden soil, or worm castings.

Add in one part of moisture-retentive materials like coconut coir, peat moss, or vermiculite.

Water

P. nigra does best with regular hydration to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy.

Provide one to two inches of water weekly during the growing season in the absence of rain.

Container-grown plants typically require more frequent watering than those growing in the ground.

Depending on the container size and location, potted plants may need water every second day in arid conditions or high heat.

Fertilizing

Although P. nigra doesn’t require fertilizing when planted in humusy, nutrient-rich soil, they do enjoy regular feeds during the growing season to promote fast growth and thick, lush foliage.

In late winter, gently work in a two-inch top dressing of compost, rotted manure, or worm castings to add nutrients and tilth.

Work it carefully into the soil over the root zone with a hand fork.

As soon as new growth emerges in early spring, scratch in some slow release fertilizer granules and repeat again in early summer. 

For best results, use a formula that’s high in nitrogen – many lawn fertilizers are suitable provided they don’t have weed-killing ingredients included.

Down to Earth Bio-Turf is formulated for lawns with an NPK of 8-3-5 and works well for P. nigra.

Down to Earth Bio-Turf

You can find Down to Earth Bio-Turf available at Arbico Organics.

Containers

If you don’t have the space for a large stand of spreading bamboo, growing in containers is an excellent option to enjoy the plant without the maintenance involved to keep the roots in check.

Keep in mind that container plants typically need to be watered more frequently than those in ground.

Plants will need to be repotted every three to five years, depending on the size of the container.

Our guide to growing bamboo in containers has all the information you need.

Where to Buy

Black bamboo can be purchased at most well-stocked garden centers. There are a number of P. nigra cultivars with different colored culms.

Black Bamboo

If you want the classic black bamboo, you can find plants available at Fast Growing Trees.

Here are a couple of cultivars you may come across:

Bory

Also known as tiger or leopard bamboo, this cultivar features green culms that develop irregular dark brown or black blotches as they mature.

Henon

‘Henon’ is also known as giant gray bamboo, with green culms that mature to a whitish-grayish hue.

Maintenance

Pruning is effective for keeping stands healthy and to manage their size and spread.

Clean and prune stands in late winter to early spring, removing dead, damaged, or diseased culms at the soil line using clean, sharp garden shears or a pruning saw.

To create an airier appearance and improve air circulation, select mature culms and remove them at the soil surface, using a light touch to thin stands.

Root Pruning

Now let’s look at root pruning, an important maintenance task to control the spread of the rhizomes.

Black bamboo varieties spread rapidly with their running rhizomes, quickly colonizing any available space.

The most effective way to manage their spread is with a combination of annual root pruning along with the use of root barriers. Here’s how:

1. Root prune in late winter to early spring, using a clean, sharp spade to cut through the rhizomes, driving the spade’s blade in fully.
2. Work around the entire clump, cutting the roots two to four feet from the base of the stems. 
3. Dig out any rhizomes that have spread beyond your desired perimeter.
4. After cleaning out unwanted rhizomes, insert sections of root barrier into the rift created by the root pruning, then firm the soil to keep it in place.
5. Allow a couple of inches of the barrier to rest above the surface to prevent the rhizomes from traveling over the top.

Root barriers are typically made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and come in rolls of varying depths – for bamboo, it’s wise to go with a deeper option.

This 50-foot roll from Bamboo Shield is 24 inches wide and made in the USA.

Bamboo Shield Root Barrier

You can find it available via Amazon.

Propagation

With its vigorous spreading growth, the best way to propagate black bamboo is by division.

This should be done in late winter to early spring, just after new growth emerges but before it really takes off. Autumn is a suitable alternative.

Learn how to divide and transplant bamboo here.

Pests and Disease

Generally, black bamboo is an easy-care, vigorous plant that is untroubled by pests or disease.

Tall, Dark, and Dramatic

With an elegant form, unique coloring, and fast growth, black bamboo is a favorite for quickly developing small thickets or large stands that are perfect for privacy, noise buffering, or just adding a tropical touch to your yard or garden!

Plant in full to partial sun in moist, humus rich soil then feed and water regularly for lush growth.

To keep their vigorous spread in check, plant in large containers or prune the roots annually and use root barriers to manage how far the rhizomes can range.

You’ll love how quickly these easy care plants transform your yard with their tall, dark, dramatic silhouettes!

Are you growing black bamboo? Let us know in the comments section below!

And for more information about growing elegant grasses in your landscape, add these guides to you reading list next:

• How to Grow Ornamental Maiden Grass (Japanese Silver Grass)
• How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Pampas Grass
• How, When, and Why to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses