Live Plant — Farm Grown
Timor Black Bamboo
Bambusa lako
An amazing addition to any collection — culms first come out green and then become shiny black with an almost purplish tint. Grows upright and bends gracefully at the top. Adaptable to any landscape.
Mature height
35–45 ft
Culm diameter
Up to 3 in
USDA zones
9b–12
Min. temperature
28 °F
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade
Growth habit
Tight clumping
Best uses
Pickup only — 4069 Peeples Ln, Wauchula, FL 33873
About Timor Black Bamboo
Bambusa lako — commonly called Timor Black Bamboo — is one of the most visually striking bamboos in cultivation. Culms first emerge a rich, glossy green and then become shiny black with an almost purplish tint as they mature. The plant grows upright and bends gracefully at the top, and is adaptable to any landscape — it can serve as a specimen or focal point, planted in a row along a path, road, or stream, or among other tropical vegetation.
The color shift from green to deep black unfolds over the first one to two years of each culm's life. The contrast between fresh green shoots and aged black canes gives a planting of Bambusa lako a layered, almost painterly quality that changes with the seasons. It is a slightly open clumper, reaching 35–45 feet tall with culms up to 3 inches in diameter.
At Big Mike's Bamboo, we grow Bambusa lako in 3-gallon and 7-gallon containers. Both sizes are healthy, well-rooted plants ready to establish quickly in your landscape. Its non-invasive clumping habit makes it a responsible choice for Florida landscapes where running bamboos are not appropriate.
History & Origin
Bambusa lako originates from the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, particularly the island of Timor. The species was formally described and named in the late 20th century, though it had long been cultivated across Southeast Asia and the Pacific for its ornamental and structural qualities. The name 'lako' derives from the local Timorese word for bamboo.
The species spread through the international bamboo trade in the 1990s and 2000s, quickly becoming a favorite among collectors and landscapers in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Its combination of non-invasive clumping habit, dramatic color, and useful timber dimensions made it stand out in a crowded field.
In Florida, Bambusa lako thrives in the warm, humid climate of the southern half of the state. It has become a popular choice for privacy screens, specimen plantings, and tropical-themed landscapes from Tampa Bay south, and is one of the most requested varieties at Big Mike's Bamboo.
Growing Information
Plant Specifications
- Mature height
- 35–45 ft
- Culm diameter
- Up to 3 in
- USDA zones
- 9b–12
- Min. temperature
- 28 °F (−2 °C)
- Sunlight
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moist, well-drained; keep mulched
- Growth habit
- Tight clumping — non-invasive
- Origin
- Timor, Indonesia
Growing Tips
Plant in full sun for the deepest black culm color — shaded plants tend to stay greener longer.
Keep the root zone well mulched to retain moisture and protect roots from brief cold snaps.
Water regularly during the first growing season; once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant.
Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring and summer to encourage vigorous new culm production.
Remove old or damaged culms at the base to keep the clump tidy and promote fresh growth.
Buy Timor Black Bamboo
Available in 3-gallon and 7-gallon containers. All plants are grown on our farm in Wauchula, FL and available for pickup. Call ahead to confirm availability before making the trip.
Questions? Contact us or call (727) 286-0928