Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
Clumping bamboo (Fargesia murielae) is an evergreen perennial grass in the Poaceae family. It grows 2.5–4.5 m (8.2–15 ft) tall and 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Clumping bamboo in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Clumping bamboo at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 2.5–4.5 m (8.2–15 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Clumping bamboo toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
True bamboo is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs (unlike heavenly bamboo, Nandina).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Clumping bamboo
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Clumping bamboo in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Riverside botanical garden (8 plants)
Questions about Clumping bamboo
- How far apart should I plant Clumping bamboo?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft).
- Does Clumping bamboo need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Clumping bamboo need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Clumping bamboo?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- Is Clumping bamboo poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. True bamboo is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs (unlike heavenly bamboo, Nandina).
- What grows well with Clumping bamboo?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Clumping bamboo. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Clumping type does not run; dry culms and leaf litter burn readily. Flowers very rarely, then may die back.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata
- Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Blue fescue Festuca glauca