Plant in full to part sun and irrigate regularly to occasionally. Hardy to 0 degrees F. The most utilized bamboo in China today where it is grown for food, timber, and paper. Some report it is difficult to establish. (Sunset Western Garden Book) but others say it is just slow to start off. The fresh shoots are considered a delicacy in Asia.

Phyllostachys edulis native to China and Taiwan and has naturalized elsewhere, including in Japan where it is widely distributed from Kagoshima in the south to nearly as far north as Hokkaido. The name for the genus means "leaf spike" and is in reference to the inflorescences. The specific epithet refers to this plant's edible shoots. We grew this giant running bamboo from 1999 until 2010. 

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