Chusquea gigantea

Also Known As

Clumping Bamboo

Plant type

bamboo

size

H: 24'-30'
W: 10'-20'

planting zones

7a-10b

More Options

Chusquea gigantea plant details

Chusquea gigantea is a broadleaf evergreen bamboo with green foliage. Grows well with sun and even moisture - regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Chusquea gigantea

Plant type: bamboo
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 10 FT - 20 FT - wide, 24 FT - 30 FT - tall
Uses: clumping

GROWING CONDITIONS for Chusquea gigantea

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

An exotic clumping bamboo native to the mountains of Chile, considered to be one of the hardiest and largest in the genus, typically growing to 25 feet. In the right conditions this solid cane bamboo may reach up to 50 feet tall! It screens like running bamboo, but stays in place like clumping. Fast growing new shoots are pink-red, and sheaths may persist on culms for up to a couple of years. 10ft of spacing is recommended for screens. Does not appreciate high heat and humidity. S-Sh/M

By: Forestfarm

Chusquea gigantea, also often listed as Chusquea aff. culeou and Chusquea breviglumis, is a potentially very valuable bamboo. It is one of the few clumping timber bamboos hardy enough to be grown in zone 7 or 8, where most other clumpers tend to be far smaller in stature. Older groves can reach 50 feet in height, although 25 to 45 feet with two inch diameter canes is more normal.One of the greatest assets of Chusquea gigantea is that the canes are completely solid, unlike most species of bamboo, making it one of the best species for medium size timber production. The canes are frequently used in construction projects such as building greenhouses and out buildings, as well as smaller crafts such as bamboo door mats or decking.

Like most clumping bamboo species, C. gigantea is very quick to establish. We started a grove from a one gallon container which reached fifteen feet tall after two growing seasons, even in heavy clay soil. The root and rhizome structure tends to be much deeper than with other bamboo species, making it more difficult to divide from established plants in the ground. Additionally, plants don't grow in containers very well for several reasons. First, the poorer drainage in a container can cause root rot if the plants are watered too frequently. Second, the roots are heat sensitive and the higher soil temperature of containers will often cause root kill. We use a pot-in-pot system for growing our Chusquea species in containers to help avoid the temperature extremes. We recommend that you plant and mulch these plants as soon as you get them to keep them happy and growing like crazy.

By: Red Panda Nursery

Chusquea gigantea is a South American bamboo that is truly graceful. Our clump had been growing 30 years and was 10'-12' across when it bloomed and died. We were lucky it produced seed, so we have a few plants available. Said to be tender, but we have had the clump for many years, non- running. Rare.