Pseudosasa Japonica – Running Bamboo

Pseudosasa japonica, commonly called Arrow bamboo, green onion bamboo, or Metake is often regarded as the best-looking bamboo but with the least effort. It is a vigorous, hardy, evergreen ornamental grass similar to the Sasa bamboo, hence its name pseudo bamboo.

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Like most bamboos, it grows to form a thicket of hollow, upright olive-green canes that features a healthy amount of narrow, shiny green leaves with pointed tips about 25 centimetres in length. The dense thicket of culms or canes often forms an excellent privacy screen when it is not trimmed.

Pair of Pseudosasa japonica (Arrow bamboo)

Pseudosasa japonica (Arrow bamboo)

Although native to Japan and Korea, this plant has been adapted to other foreign regions and is not cultivated in the UK, USA, and other international regions.

How to grow Pseudosasa japonica

Arrow bamboo is an easy plant to grow with minimal maintenance requirements. It can be grown outdoors or in indoors in containers. They need a lot of light, water, and nitrogen to grow full and beautiful. Often, they prefer moist, well-drained soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH levels.

Also, they will grow more vigorously when competition is absent, especially grass so plant in clearly defined beds and keep the area weeded.

Where should I position Pseudosasa japonica in my garden?

Like most other bamboo species and cultivars, Pseudosasa japonica thrives with a reasonable amount of light and will often full sun to partial shade. South, west, or east-facing aspect is often ideal to satisfy its light requirements.

How tall does Pseudosasa japonica grow and spread?

Arrow bamboo is a vigorous plant that grows 4 to 8 metres in length and spreads 2.5 to 4 metres in a decade or less.

What kind of soil does Pseudosasa japonica need?

This domesticated bamboo will grow well when cultivated in clay, sand, or loamy soil that is moist but well-drained and slightly acidic.

Further Reading:

We have further information on the following types of bamboo: Fargesia Asian Wonder, Fargesia murielae ‘Luca’, Fountain Bamboo Fargesia rufa, Phyllostachys aurea aureocaulis, Phyllostachys Bissetii, Pleioblastus Distichus and Pseudosasa japonica Arrow Bamboo.


Where can I buy Pseudosasa japonica in the UK?

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