Phyllostachys nigra
Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade in Phoenix; protect from intense western sun and reflected heat.
Water: High water needs in Phoenix. Irrigate deeply and regularly to keep the root zone evenly moist, not waterlogged; containers may need daily watering during extreme summer heat.
Soil: Well-drained, organically enriched soil. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions; Phoenix’s alkaline soils may require amendments and monitoring for iron deficiency.
Mature size: Typically 20–35 feet tall under favorable conditions, often smaller in Phoenix or containers; spreads indefinitely through underground rhizomes unless contained.
Bloom: Flowers very rarely, at unpredictable intervals often separated by decades; flowering can weaken or kill affected plants.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen; may shed or scorch leaves during extreme heat, drought, or cold.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast once established with adequate moisture; slower under Phoenix heat stress or container confinement.