Plant in full sun to light shade. Thought to be among the hardiest (to 12° F) of the Bambusa multiplex group. An attractive garden or container plant that can be cut to the ground annually and treated like an ornamental grass. Easily confused with the larger fern-leaf which does not have solid culms.

The name for the genus comes from the Dutch word 'bamboes' or 'bamboo' that was a modification of Malay word 'bambu'. This dwarf bamboo was reportedly brought into cultivation in the US in 1928 by American botanist and plant collector Floyd Alonzo McClure (1897-1970) who was a horticulture instructor at Canton Christian College in Guangzhou, China and a leading authority on bamboo. We grew this attractive bamboo from 1999 until 2012. 

The information about Bambusa multiplex 'Riviereorum' 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.