Square Bamboo Plant Care
Chimonobambusa quadrangularis (Franceschi) Makino
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chimonobambusa quadrangularis, commonly called square bamboo or shidakudake, is a bamboo in the family Poaceae, native to China and Taiwan, and naturalized to Japan. It is one of the very few monocots to have square stems.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Square Bamboo?
Water Square Bamboo every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Square Bamboo?
Square Bamboo (Chimonobambusa quadrangularis) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Chimonobambusa genus. Square Bamboo is native to China and Taiwan, and naturalized to Japan. Square Bamboo is also known as Square-stem Bamboo.
Square Bamboo displays a clumping bamboo growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Square Bamboo produces rarely flowers; small inconspicuous blooms.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Square Bamboo?
Chimonobambusa quadrangularis requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Square Bamboo Need?
Square Bamboo thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Square Bamboo Prefer?
Chimonobambusa quadrangularis grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Square Bamboo prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Square Bamboo?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Square Bamboo to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Square Bamboo?
Feed Square Bamboo every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Square Bamboo?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Square Bamboo?
Square Bamboo can be propagated through division, rhizome cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tumid bamboo plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Square Bamboo Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Square Bamboo, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Square Bamboo?
Square Bamboo is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Square Bamboo Need?
Square Bamboo grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Square Bamboo is native to China and Taiwan, and naturalized to Japan.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Square Bamboo is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Chimonobambusa genus — compare its care with other Chimonobambusa species on PlantoScan.
Chimonobambusa is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Square Bamboo thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chimonobambusa quadrangularis (Franceschi) Makino, family Poaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 28: 153 (1914)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Square Bamboo, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Square Bamboo Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species