Baby Panda Bamboo

Baby Panda Bamboo (Pogonatherum paniceum) is a miniature ornamental grass with slender, upright, cane like stems and fine, vivid green leaves, reaching about 50cm tall and 60cm wide. Despite the name it is not a true bamboo. It simply borrows the look in a manageable size, which makes it a favourite for tropical and Balinese style gardens, pots and poolside planting.

Why you'll love it

• The bamboo look in miniature. Upright, cane like stems carry short, vivid green leaves in a clump that stays around 50cm, so you get the effect without the bulk.
• A tidy, mounded habit. Low and neatly rounded, it holds its shape and masses well.
• Plenty of texture. The fine foliage adds softness beside bolder leaves such as tiger grass, ginger and broad leaved tropicals.
• Right for pots and pools. It suits containers and poolside planting, where its cool green leaves look fresh.
• Reliable in the right spot. Given water and the occasional feed, it keeps its foliage looking fresh.

Where it works best

Mass planting and lawn effects. Plant 40cm apart, which is about six plants per square metre, for a carpet of fine green texture. The plants meet at their 60cm width and form a soft, lawn like mass that needs no mowing.

Groundcover and edging. A single row at the same spacing edges a path or garden bed in a neat, flowing line.

Containers. In a low bowl it makes a tactile, tidy feature, and it pairs well with a taller grass planted behind.

Poolside and Balinese style gardens. The look suits tropical and Balinese style schemes, where it works beside tall tiger grass, ginger and palms.

Growing Baby Panda Bamboo in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It likes warmth and needs protection from frost, so it is at home in tropical, subtropical and mild warm temperate gardens. Where frosts occur, grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover.

Soil. Any reasonable, free draining soil or potting mix suits it, and a little compost at planting helps it get off to a good start.

Water and feed. These plants prefer plenty of water, so keep them well watered through dry periods rather than letting them dry out. Fertilise with a slow release fertiliser in spring and use a liquid fertiliser at least twice a year to keep the foliage fresh.

Pruning. No routine pruning is needed. If frost or a dry spell leaves stems brown, trim them away and the clump can refresh with water and feed.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Baby Panda Bamboo as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10, and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical choice for a large mass planting or lawn effect, while the potted packs give a fuller clump sooner, which suits containers and small borders.

Plants travel upright and settle in within a few weeks. Water them in on arrival and keep the soil moist while they establish.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• No mow grass and lawn alternatives
• More grasses and strappy leaf plants
• Plants for poolside gardens
• Plants for mass planting

Common questions

Is it a true bamboo?

No. Baby Panda Bamboo is an ornamental grass that borrows the look of bamboo in a small, manageable size, so it will not grow into a tall screen.

How many plants do I need?

At 40cm apart you need about six plants per square metre. Tube stock covers a large area economically, while the potted packs fill in faster for a small bed.

Can it handle frost?

No, protect it from frost. In frosty gardens grow it in a container and move it under cover for winter.