Plant in full sun and water regularly. Grows to 100' tall in native habitat and if given favorable conditions this extremely tall bamboo will grow quite rapidly producing several new culms each year in late summer that are hardy to 15-20° F and with clump hardy to around 10 F°, but plants will defoliate much below 25 ° F.

Dendrocalamus asper is native to Burma & Java. The genus name is from the Greek words 'denros' meaning a "tree" and 'kalamus' meaning a "reed" in reference to the giant stature of the plant. The specific epithet is the Latin word meaning rough in reference to rough pedicels or leaf-blades. The culms are used in contruction and new large shoots are the highest quality for food. We grew this big timer bamboo, also known as Dragon Bamboo from 2002 until 2008 and still have large plants in the garden. 

The information about Dendrocalamus asper that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.

Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.