Asian Lemon Bamboo (Bambusa Eutuldoides ‘Viridivittata’) – 3 Gallon Pot

A truly stunning non-spreading selection from China, where it is adored for its beautiful and showy colors, the Asian Lemon Bamboo, also called China Gold Bamboo, is ideal for use as a focal point specimen or privacy screen in the landscape. The new culms are bright yellow with pink and peach tones and mature to a bright yellow with deep green stripes. You can expect Asian Lemon to reach a full height of about 20 to 25 feet within just a few years and a tight and tidy clump of 1 inch diameter culms to about 5 feet wide over the same period of time. The tight clump makes it suited to smaller gardens and large containers of 18 inches or more in diameter, or as large as your space will allow. A canopy of attractive green leaves in palm-like fans top this beauty off. When grown as a specimen, lower branches can be removed to desired height to expose more of the beautiful culms. Asian Lemon Bamboo loves the sun and heat and is hardy to 21°F. 

USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 9a-11 Find Your Zone

Type: Clumping

Height: 20-25′

Spread:  5-8′

Spacing: 5′ for privacy screens

Culm Diameter: 1″

Sun: Full Sun to Part Shade

Soil: Average, moist but well-drained

Growth Rate: Very Fast, faster with more sun

Containers/Pots: Good, 18″ or more in diameter

Crafts: Excellent

Edible: No

Hedge: Good, tall

Privacy Screen: Excellent

Indoor: Only to overwinter in cold climates

Ornamental: Excellent

Wood Quality: NA

The Asian Lemon Bamboo is very easy to grow in a moist but well drained soil and full sun to part shade. Faster growth can be expected with more sun. In quick draining soils it’s a good idea to mix in some composted organic matter such as composted cow manure and peat moss with the native soil removed from the planting hole. Mulch well to retain moisture in the soil. Feed three time a year in spring, summer and fall with a natural fertilizer, palm food, or good shrub & tree fertilizer. 

Asian Lemon Bamboo is a clumping bamboo that does not require any control to contain it. That said, it can grow up to 8 feet wide over time. If you want to contain it to a smaller area this can be done. Bamboo can be controlled in a small area simply by mowing or stepping on the young shoots. Bamboo only puts up new shoots for a short time each year and, when they are “shooting,” the new plants are very fragile and easy to destroy. Root pruning or a Bamboo Root Barrier are other methods to control the size of the clump.