Heavenly bamboo care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Heavenly bamboo

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every 3 days

Water a pot thoroughly once the topsoil is dry, as a guide; in the ground, rain is usually enough once established.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 4 days

Drying slows, so as a guide wait a day or two after the surface dries.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every 7 days

Growth stops, so water sparingly, roughly a few days after the soil dries.

Light and placement for Heavenly bamboo

Grows in sun to partial shade, generally best with at least half a day of sun; in shade it sets few berries and the leaf color dulls, and it tolerates full summer sun.

Overwintering Heavenly bamboo

Overwintering guide: −10°C (14°F) or above

Hardy enough to overwinter outdoors as a guide; the leaves turning red in winter is a cold response that reverses in spring, and a pot only needs shelter from dry cold wind.

Fertilizing and repotting Heavenly bamboo

Fertilizer

As a guide, a little slow-release fertilizer around February and September; too much gives foliage at the expense of berries.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep), Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Common problems with Heavenly bamboo

• Rain during the June flowering spoils the blossoms, so few berries set.
• Cutting every cane to the same height removes the flowering tips, so it stops blooming.
• In shade it grows leggy and bare at the base.

Tips for growing Heavenly bamboo

• Berries form at the tips of last year's canes, so limit pruning to removing old, fruited canes at the base.
• The berries decorate the plant through winter until birds take them.
• When it grows too tall, cut out a few old canes in February or March to renew it.

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