Vivax

This is a giant bamboo that will get very large quickly. The canes have thin walls, which makes them easy to split for working with crafts. This gentle giant bamboo can easily be recognized from a distance by its elegant drooping foliage.

Why choose this bamboo?

• Obtains mature size faster than most all species.
• Typically produces less numerous but larger diameter canes.
• Large foliage and slightly off-set cane sections provide a unique appearance.

Phyllostachys Vivax is a very cold hardy giant bamboo similar in appearance to 'Japanese Timber Bamboo. Vivax sizes up the fastest of all large bamboo and is always in high demand.

For a Phyllostachys, it has very large leaves with deep green colors. The culm (cane) sheaths are creamy buff color with brown spotting. The oral setae and auricles are absent from the culm sheaths. Small or juvenile plants will not have the same coloring but will have characteristics such as the absence of oral setae or auricles. Shoots of juveniles will be lighter in coloration in most climates. Aggressive in full sun.

In USDA Climate Zone 7 expect mature size canes to be over 40 feet in height possibly growing to near 70 feet.

In USDA Climate Zone 6 expect mature size canes to be 30 feet in height.

In climate zones 7 and warmer, Vivax is an excellent choice. Growing to 40 feet tall on Long Island, N.Y. Vivax has been reported to handle temperatures to -10 F. If you grow this timber bamboo in colder areas such as climate zone 6, expect culm damage from ice and snow damage. The thin-walled culm of this giant snaps with heavy ice and snow loads which is common in zones 6. despite this common occurrence, it still grows to large diameters. New canes will emerge each Spring to replace any damaged ones that might occur during Winter times. It also handles salt spray well and is being grown along coastal areas throughout the U.S.

Vivax has thin walls, which makes it easy to split for working with crafts. It can easily be recognized from a distance by its elegant drooping foliage.

Shoots begin to emerge early mid-season and have been found free from any unpleasant taste, even in the uncooked state.

Plant introduction number (PI) into the U.S. 82047

Species

Phyllostachys Vivax

Mature height

70 ft

Mature cane Ø

5″

Sunlight

Sun to Shade

Cold hardiness

5°F minimum

Type

Running bamboo

The plants we ship are starter divisions from established groves — and the larger the size you choose, the bigger its root system and the faster it fills in.

• For a privacy screen, plant on 5-foot centers or closer. Tighter spacing and a bigger starting size give you a solid wall of green sooner — often in 3–5 years.
• For a grove or specimen, give each plant space to spread and show its form.
• Each spring brings taller, thicker canes until the grove reaches mature size. How bamboo grows → · Planting guide →

• Light. At least 4 hours of filtered sun or more. A few large-leaf dwarf species are happy in partial shade.
• Water. Keep the soil evenly moist through the first growing season while roots establish. Once established, bamboo is quite drought-tolerant — just never let it sit in standing water.
• Soil. Not fussy. Neutral pH, well-draining loam with organic matter is ideal, but it grows well in clay too. Roots feed in the top 12″ of soil.
• Growth. New canes shoot each spring (roughly March–May), reaching full height in about 60 days. The grove fills in noticeably after about three full years.
• Feeding. A balanced, time-release fertilizer in spring can speed establishment by a year or more.
• Containing it. Running bamboo spreads by shallow underground rhizomes. Root-prune twice a year, or install Bamboo Shield for a worry-free barrier. How bamboo grows →

Bamboo thrives in large containers with good drainage — perfect for patios, balconies, and defining outdoor spaces.

• Pick a hardier plant. Containers don't insulate roots the way the ground does. For year-round pots, choose a species rated a zone or two colder than your area.
• Go big. A larger container means more root room, more insulation, and faster growth. Make sure it has drainage holes.
• Water more often. Potted plants dry out faster — check soil moisture regularly, especially in summer.
• Refresh every few years. Top-dress, or divide and repot, once the roots fill the container.

Your plant ships nursery-fresh from our family-run farm — an established, well-rooted division (never a fresh-dug start), carefully packed to travel safely.

• On arrival, unbox right away, give it a good drink, and let it settle in a sheltered spot for a few days before planting. Planting instructions →
• A little leaf drop or yellowing is normal after shipping — bamboo is evergreen and flushes fresh leaves each spring.
• Healthy-arrival guarantee. If your plant shows up in poor shape, we'll make it right. See our guarantee →