Guadua bamboo Guadua angustifolia
Guadua bamboo (Guadua angustifolia) is an evergreen perennial grass in the Poaceae family, native to Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. It grows 15–30 m (49–98 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Guadua bamboo in your garden →
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Guadua bamboo at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 15–30 m (49–98 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: young shoots (cooked) |
| Native to | Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Guadua bamboo toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: culm sheaths
Sheaths carry irritant hairs; thorny branches.
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 Guadua bamboo
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Guadua bamboo
- How far apart should I plant Guadua bamboo?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Guadua bamboo need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Guadua bamboo need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Guadua bamboo?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- Is Guadua bamboo poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Sheaths carry irritant hairs; thorny branches.
- What grows well with Guadua bamboo?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Guadua bamboo. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- A giant clumping bamboo used to build houses and bridges in Colombia’s coffee region; culms reach full height in about 6 months.
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
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium