These beautiful low growing bamboo species come in a variety of leaf colors and growth habits. All the types listed below are hardy to Zone 7 and in some cases even Zone 6. Use dwarf bamboo for ground covers or facers in foreground plantings. All are excellent in pots. Many make ideal bonsai specimens.

Pleioblastus akebono
Small leaves and compact habit are enhanced by a shading and blending of green to white at the tip.
1/2   1 1/2'   1/4"   0 F   7-10   R

Pleioblastus argenteostriatus - OKINA - DAKE
Distinct green-white variegated leaves in spring that fade to more of a green leaf by summer. Mow in mid-winter to encourage a spring show of new leaves.
1/2   3'   1/4"   0 F   7-10   R

Pleioblastus distichus - DWARF FERN LEAF
A very small ground cover bamboo. Leaves are tiny and arranged in a fern leaf pattern. Excellent for bonsai.
1/2    2'    1/4"    -5 F   6-10     R

Pleioblastus distichus 'Mini'
An even shorter version of the above at 12" tall. Brilliant green springtime growth. Needs fall mowing to looks it's best.
Sun-1/2    1'    1/8"    -5    6-10    R   

Pleioblastus humilis
Compact growth and attractive leaf patterns set this dwarf from the others. Usually grows smaller and more compact than listed.
1/2   4'   1/8"   0 F   7-10   R

Pleioblastus pygmaeus - DWARF BAMBOO
A vigorous green leaved ground cover bamboo. Looks best when old growth is clipped off in mid-winter.
1/2   2'   1/8"   0 F   7-10   R

Pleioblastus shibuyanus 'Tsuboi' - UEDA-ZASA, FUIRI SHIBUYA
A nice mounding dwarf bamboo. The leaves are variegated with an interesting blending of the white into the green.
1/2   2'   1/4"   0 F   7-10   R

Pleioblastus variegatus - DWARF WHITESTRIPE BAMBOO
Stable white on green variegated color all year. Sharp looking plant.
1/2   4'   1/4"   -10 F   6-10   R

Pleioblastus viridi-striatus - KAMURO-ZASA
Brilliant golden-yellow leaves in the spring turning to green-yellow by mid-summer. Green stripes in the leaves. Mowing in mid-winter ensures luxuriant spring color.
1/2   3'   1/4"   -5 F   7-10   R

Pleioblastus viridi-striatus chrysophyllus
All brilliant golden-yellow leaves. Mowing or clipping in winter enhances spring brilliance.
1/2   3'   1/4"   -5 F   7-10   R

Pseudosasa owatarii
A very dwarf Japanese species that only grows a few inches high. Excellent bonsai for its small size leaves. Can be a slow grower.
1/2   6"   1/8"   0 F   7-10   R

Sasa nagimontana
This has large attractive leaves much like the taller sasa palmata. A picture perfect smaller bamboo.
1/2   2'   1/3"   0 F   7-10   R

Sasa veitchii minor
A much shorter form of the shrub sized Sasa veitchii. Leaves are smaller too. Develops the same pseudo-variegation of the leaf edge in the fall.
1/2    1'    1/4"    0 F    7-10    R

Sasaella hidaensis muraii
A green leaved dwarf size bamboo from Japan. Its smaller leaves grow in nice patterns. Overall appearance is of a neatly kept form.
1/2   3'   1/4"   0 F   7-10   R

Shibatea chinensis - AI ZHU
Short attractive leaves grow on a slightly zig-zag stem. Leaves are somewhat wrinkled making a different appearance than other bamboo.
1/2   3'   1/8"   -10 F   6-10 R