Clark's bamboo Plant Care
Rhipidocladum clarkiae R.W.Pohl
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Rhipidocladum clarkiae is a striking bamboo species known for its unique zigzagging culms and delicate, narrow leaves with an elegant arching habit. Native to the cloud forests of Ecuador, this rare plant is highly sought after by collectors for its graceful appearance and compact growth habit.
Every 7–10 days
Partial to full shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Clark's bamboo?
Water Clark's bamboo every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Clark's bamboo?
Clark's bamboo (Rhipidocladum clarkiae) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Rhipidocladum genus. Clark's bamboo is native to Ecuador.
Clark's bamboo displays a tall, clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Clark's bamboo produces small inconspicuous flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Clark's bamboo?
Rhipidocladum clarkiae requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Clark's bamboo Need?
Clark's bamboo thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Clark's bamboo in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Clark's bamboo Prefer?
Rhipidocladum clarkiae grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Clark's bamboo prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Clark's bamboo?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Clark's bamboo to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Clark's bamboo?
Feed Clark's 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 Clark's bamboo?
Repot every 1-2 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 Clark's bamboo?
Clark's bamboo can be propagated through division, rhizome cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bartlett's bamboo plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Clark's bamboo Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Clark's 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 Clark's bamboo?
Clark's bamboo is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, 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 Clark's bamboo Need?
Clark's bamboo grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Clark's bamboo is native to Ecuador. In cooler regions, grow Clark's bamboo as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Clark's 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 Rhipidocladum genus — compare its care with other Rhipidocladum species on PlantoScan.
Rhipidocladum is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
Clark's bamboo copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Rhipidocladum clarkiae R.W.Pohl, family Poaceae (first published in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 72: 272 (1985)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Clark's 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 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
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