How big does Heavenly bamboo grow?

About 1.5 m × 1 m after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 0.9–2.5 m × 0.6–1.5 m.

What soil does Heavenly bamboo grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, acidic.

Is Heavenly bamboo hardy?

Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Central Bohemian Region, Hradec Králové Region, Karlovy Vary Region, Liberec Region, Moravian-Silesian Region, Olomouc Region, Pardubice Region, Plzeň Region, South Bohemian Region, Ústí nad Labem Region, Vysočina Region, Zlín Region) it may not survive winter without protection.

How far from the house should Heavenly bamboo be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How much water does Heavenly bamboo need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Heavenly bamboo

Nandina domestica

Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) is a shrub that reaches 1.5 m × 1 m after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Toxic to dogs and cats.

Illustration of Heavenly bamboo — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An upright, cane-forming evergreen shrub that looks a little like bamboo, with finely divided leaves that flush red in spring and again from autumn through winter, and white summer flowers followed by long-lasting red berries. Give it a sheltered spot in sun or part shade and humus-rich, well-drained soil and it needs very little care. The berries and leaves are poisonous, so keep it away from places where dogs, cats or small children might chew it.

Watch out for

Hard winters are its weak point in Central Europe: below about -12 °C it can drop its leaves, and in prolonged severe frost the canes may die back to the ground, although it usually resprouts from the base. Plant it out of cold winds and frost pockets and mulch the base in the first years. Leaves can turn yellow (chlorosis) on alkaline soil. Eaten in quantity the berries are also dangerous to birds, with deaths recorded in waxwings; cut off the fruit clusters or choose a non-fruiting cultivar if that worries you.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.5 m × 1 m
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–July, white

All details

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.5 m × 1 m
Ultimate size	0.9–2.5 m × 0.6–1.5 m
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	June–July, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 25, 2026 · How our data is made

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