Yellow Canes with Green Stripes Bamboo Plants Phyllostachys flexuosa (Sinuate Bamboo)

Phyllostachys flexuosa is stunning bamboo with yellow and green culms, slender arching branches and evergreen foliage. Also known as Sinuate Bamboo or Qiuganzhu. 

Landscapers may find Phyllostachys flexuosa useful as this bamboo is low maintenance and ideal for privacy screening and hedging. 

It's an invasive running bamboo and therefore a root barrier should be used to contain its spread.

General description

• Name: Phyllostachys flexuosa, Sinuate Bamboo, Qiuganzhu.
• Foliage: Evergreen, slender leaves.
• Culm: Arching canes, yellow canes with green stripes.
• Height: 6 m, arching broad branches.
• Spread: Running bamboo, invasive.

Growth requirement

• Site: Part shade to full sun.
• Soil: Well-drained soil, moist.
• Hardiness: – 10 to –5 degrees Celsius, UK H4.
• Use: Screening, hedging – low maintenance plant but invasive.

Grow bamboo Phyllostachys flexuosa (Sinuate Bamboo)

Cultivate in contained spaces

Phyllostachys flexuosa can grow to 6 metres and spread 2 metres. 

It may not grow to its maximum height and spread when grown in contained spaces. 

Use large heavy-duty container pots to grow this timber bamboo. 

Note that the new shoots in the second, third and successive years will be reasonably taller than the first shoots. 

So, do not be surprised if your Phyllostachys flexuosa is taller than an average Phyllostachys bamboo in the container pots. 

This running bamboo will definitely require repotting within 3 – 5 years.

Cultivate in the garden

Phyllostachys flexuosa’s evergreen foliage, arching stems and elongated branches are ideal for creating a calm and serene atmosphere outdoors or in the garden. 

It is also a preferable bamboo for privacy screens and hedging. 

Perhaps it is important to note that the Phyllostachys flexuosa (Sinuate Bamboo) is an invasive bamboo, therefore building a bamboo barrier prior to planting it in the garden is the best thing to do. 

Like the other running bamboos, the Sinuate Bamboo prefers well-drained, moist soil. Read about the Best Soil for Growing Bamboo

Loam soil for growing bamboo cuttings

Propagate running bamboo Phyllostachys flexuosa

Many UK bamboo growers use Rhizome Cuttings to propagate the running bamboo successfully. 

You can also use Culm Cuttings or Bamboo Seeds to propagate Phyllostachys flexuosa. 

Seeds are often hard to find because bamboos rarely flower. 

If you are lucky to have a rare bamboo seed, take extra care to grow them. Here is the step-by-step guide on How to Grow Bamboo from Seeds.

Buy Phyllostachys Bamboos in the UK

Phyllostachys flexuosa bamboo is ideal for a mini bamboo forest, woodland, botanical garden or tall privacy screen. 

It is also edible bamboo, you can grow it in large heavy-duty container pots and enjoy the shoots. 

Here are some great places where you can buy the running and clumping bamboos in the UK. 

Buy Phyllostachys Bamboos in the UK

If the bamboo is not available, please contact the Garden Shops directly or message us and we'll be happy to help find it for you.

Bamboos similar to Phyllostachys flexuosa

Finding the right Phyllostachys Bamboo at the local nursery or garden centre can be tricky. We list 5 other bamboos that are similar to the ‘Phyllostachys flexuosa’. 

The similarities are based on 5 important factors: the type (either running or clumping), height, foliage, hardiness and use. 

Details for each bamboo can be found through this link, click for more information.

1. Phyllostachys Parvifolia Running Bamboo
2. Golden Chinese Bamboo Vivax Aureocaulis
3. Edulis Moso Bamboo Phyllostachys Pubescens
4. Giant Timber Bamboo Phyllostachys Bambusoides
5. Black Bamboo Phyllostachys Nigra

Phyllostachys atrovaginata (Incense Edible Bamboo)

Phyllostachys flexuosa (Sinuate Bamboo, Qiuganzhu)

All in all, Phyllostachys flexuosa is a fantastic bamboo for privacy screens and hedging. 

Root barriers are necessary for growing this bamboo.