Phyllostachys aurea [a.uˈre̯a]
Common name: Golden bamboo · Fishpole bamboo
Phyllostachys aurea is a running bamboo in the grass family, native to China, grown worldwide for its dense screens of upright canes that ripen to a warm golden yellow. The canes often show distinctive short, crowded internodes near the base, giving them a knobbly look prized for walking sticks and fishing poles — hence the name fishpole bamboo. It spreads aggressively by leptomorphic rhizomes and can become invasive in warm climates, so it needs a root barrier or regular containment in the garden. Tough, fast, and evergreen, it is one of the most widely planted bamboos for hedges, windbreaks, and ornamental groves.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Keep evenly moist; water deeply in dry spells while establishing
Soil
Rich, moist, well-drained loam; tolerates a range of soils
Hardiness
Zones 6–10
Mature height
4.5–10.5 m (15–35 ft)
Pet safe
Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
By rhizome or clump division in early spring
Fun facts
- The shortened, crowded internodes at the cane base make it a classic material for walking sticks, umbrella handles, and fishing poles.
- It is one of the most commonly cultivated bamboos in the southern United States, where it has naturalized and is listed as invasive in several states.
- The species name aurea means "golden", referring to the warm yellow color mature canes develop in full sun.
- Like most bamboos it flowers only very rarely; gregarious flowering is followed by the death of the flowering grove.