Phyllostachys heteroclada
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Phyllostachys heteroclada

Fishscale bamboo

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: partial_sun
Temperature
10–35 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 6–10
Click count
1
Observations
1

Description

Source: wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Phyllostachys heteroclada, the fishscale bamboo, also known as "water bamboo", is a running bamboo. The water bamboo name comes from the air canals in the rhizomes and roots that allow this bamboo to grow in more saturated conditions as compared to similar species. This species can also have abrupt kinks at the base of the culms. Maximum height can reach 35 ft with a diameter of 2 in. It is cold hardy to around -5 °F. It grows well in USDA zones 6b-10.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Partial sun

Fishscale bamboo occurs naturally in habitats like forest understories or rocky sites where it is exposed to natural shade. It favors partial sun but can tolerate both full sun and full shade, reflecting its hardy and adaptable nature.

Ideal: Partial sun
🌡️ Temperature 10–35°C

Fishscale bamboo can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but its distribution may still be constrained by particular combinations of moisture and heat. It performs best in warm summer conditions with sufficient rainfall or watering. Long periods of cloudy, rainy weather or prolonged high temperatures increase the risk of Fishscale bamboo dying. In winter, adequate protection from the cold can enhance the plant’s survival rate.

Ideal temperature: 10–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

Fishscale bamboo benefits from added nutrients to encourage healthy new growth. In spring, applying compost around the base of the plant can effectively supply the nutrients it requires. Fertilizing helps support vigorous growth and aids the plant in resisting diseases and pests.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Grass
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Phyllostachys
Family
Poaceae
Hardiness Zone
6-10
Mature Height
10.06 m to 14.94 m
Mature Spread
3.05 m to 4.88 m
Leaf Color
Light Green, Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Bloom Time
Late spring, Early summer
Planting Time
Spring, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Early fall
Native Area
China

Tags (5)

Common Names (1)

en Fishscale bamboo