Alphabetical Plant Listing

Bambusa ventricosa (Buddha Belly Bamboo)

Buddha Belly Bamboo, Buddha Bamboo, Clump-Forming Bamboo


A popular species for containers, Bambusa ventricosa (Buddha Belly Bamboo) is a decorative evergreen bamboo noted for the swollen or bulging internodes of its canes resembling the fat belly of the Buddha. Deep dark green, the culms, 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), are smooth and glossy, maturing to yellow-green. Upright in habit at first, the canes tend to arch under the weight of the heavy foliage of long, dark green leaves, up to 7 in. (18 cm). Very ornamental, this non-invasive tropical bamboo makes an impressive container plant and is an excellent choice for a privacy screen in warm-temperate conditions. To produce the swollen internodes, the plant needs to be underpotted, dried out, or under-fertilized. A lovely subject for bonsai. Hardiness: 32 to 23ºF (0 to -5ºC).

  • Grows up to 40-55 ft. tall (12-16 m) and 30-40 ft. wide (9-12 m) in its native environment. Will grow only 5-8 ft. tall (150-240 cm) in containers.
  • A full sun to part shade lover, it is best grown in fertile, moist soils. Avoid overly wet soils.
  • A great choice for hedges and screens and containers.
  • Virtually disease free. Keep an eye out for aphids, cottony scales, and bamboo borers.
  • Remove weak, dead, damaged or spindly stems in spring and thin to show off stems to best effect. Cut out any flowering shoots promptly to discourage more from forming.
  • Propagate by division or take cuttings of sections of young rhizomes in spring
  • Native to China

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Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 12
Plant Type Bamboos
Plant Family Bamboos
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 40' – 50' (12m – 15m)
Spread 30' – 40' (9m – 12m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low, Average
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 12
Plant Type Bamboos
Plant Family Bamboos
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 40' – 50' (12m – 15m)
Spread 30' – 40' (9m – 12m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low, Average
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers

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