Vivax Bamboo will get very large very quickly. So if you're looking for big bamboo fast, this is the bamboo for you. Vivax is a very cold hardy giant bamboo similar in appearance to Japanese Timber Bamboo. Vivax has very large leaves with deep green colors. The culm (cane) sheaths are creamy buff color with brown spotting. Canes are typically 5-6 inches in width when mature.
Phyllostachys Vivax 'Aureocaulis' which is similar to Vivax has canes that are bright yellow with random green stripes (second photo). This is a rare species and is truly a sight to behold.
Additional Classification Data
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Phyllostachys
Species: Vivax
Cultivar: None Identified
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zone 6a: to -10 °F
USDA Zone 6b: to -5 °F
USDA Zone 7a: to 0 °F
USDA Zone 7b: to 5 °F
USDA Zone 8a: to 10 °F
USDA Zone 8b: to 15 °F
USDA Zone 9a: to 20 °F
USDA Zone 9b: to 25 °F
Plant Height
Height >30 ft.
Light Exposure
Light - Full Sun
Light - 10% to 40% Shade
Growth Rate
Rate - Very Fast
Rate - Fast
