A compact, slow-growing low spreading bamboo with an interesting zig-zag pattern to the leaf arrangement. It grows best in light to deep shade with well-drained soil thought it will tolerate clay that has good drainage or sandy soil with adequate watering. Once established it is drought tolerant. Its evergreen leaves provide year-round color in a shade garden. Quick ID Short, broad leaves with persistent leaf sheaths Cane-like growth with flexuous stem Old, dried leaves tend not to curl
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 7 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Tear-drop shaped arranged in a zig-zag pattern up the stem hence the common name. Leaves are lanceolate, short and broad, glabrous, dark green, often withering at apex, 1-inch wide x 2-4 inches long; persistent, white, dried-out leaf sheaths.