Moso bamboo Phyllostachys edulis
Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) is an evergreen perennial grass in the Poaceae family, native to Subtropical China (forest bamboo of the hills south of the Yangtze). It grows 10–20 m (33–66 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Moso bamboo in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Moso bamboo at a glance
| Type | Perennial grass, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 m (33–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 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 |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: spring shoots (cooked) |
| Native to | Subtropical China (forest bamboo of the hills south of the Yangtze) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Moso bamboo toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Bamboo is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs; raw shoots contain cyanogens (cook them).
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 Moso bamboo
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Moso bamboo in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (12 plants)
Questions about Moso bamboo
- How far apart should I plant Moso bamboo?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Moso bamboo need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Moso bamboo need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Moso bamboo?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- Is Moso 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. Bamboo is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs; raw shoots contain cyanogens (cook them).
- What grows well with Moso bamboo?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Moso bamboo. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Running bamboo: needs a deep rhizome barrier. New culms reach full height in about two months.
- Flowers only at intervals of decades, then the stand declines; flowering values are placeholders.
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