Heavenly Bamboo Plant Care

Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica) belongs to the Berberidaceae family within the Nandina genus. Heavenly Bamboo is native to eastern Asia from the Himalayas to Japan. Heavenly Bamboo is also known as Sacred Bamboo, Chinese Sacred Bamboo, Nandina.

Heavenly Bamboo displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Heavenly Bamboo produces small white flowers in large clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Heavenly Bamboo every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Heavenly Bamboo thrives in full sun to part shade.

Nandina domestica tolerates temperatures of 45–85°F. Heavenly Bamboo prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Heavenly Bamboo to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Heavenly Bamboo every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Heavenly Bamboo is suited to USDA Zone 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Heavenly Bamboo can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Heavenly Bamboo while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Heavenly Bamboo is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 11). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Heavenly Bamboo can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Heavenly 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.

Heavenly Bamboo grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11b. Heavenly Bamboo is native to eastern Asia from the Himalayas to Japan. In cooler regions, grow Heavenly Bamboo as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.