Heavenly bamboo
Nandina domestica · Berberidaceae
📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Baies et feuilles contiennent des cyanogènes. Chiens, chats et enfants : troubles gastro-intestinaux par ingestion; risque modéré à grave.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around heavenly bamboo and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Nandina domestica
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen to evergreen, with reddish tints in winter
- Flowering
- May to June, white or cream flowers in panicles
- Adult size
- Approximately 2 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to approximately -15 °C
- Origin
- Southeast Asia (India, Japan)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Plant in partial shade or dappled shade, even though it tolerates sun—it's in semi-shade that the foliage keeps its best red coloring. A 5 cm mulch layer maintains the light moisture it prefers, without waterlogging.
The common mistake
Intense full sun in warm regions causes leaf browning, especially in July-August.
The pro's trick
Cut back the oldest stems flush to the ground in February-March: this rejuvenation pruning revitalizes the form and intensifies the red coloring of new foliage.
Care
Light exposure
Nandina appreciates partial shade or indirect light, ideal for enhancing its colorful foliage. It also tolerates direct sun, particularly in temperate climates. Avoid overly dark areas that slow growth and diminish autumn and winter tints.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist, especially during the growing season (spring-summer). Reduce watering in autumn and winter, while ensuring the substrate doesn't dry out completely. Avoid excess water that promotes root rot.
Soil
Nandina prefers well-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral, enriched with organic matter. Adding leaf mold or compost at planting improves structure and promotes rooting. Effective drainage is essential to prevent water stagnation.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly after flowering or in late winter to maintain harmonious shape and stimulate branching. Remove dead or diseased stems. Severe pruning can slow growth; prefer gentle and regular interventions.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring and early summer, one or two applications. Well-decomposed compost on the surface in spring also enriches the soil gradually. Avoid overdosing, which promotes excessive growth at the expense of flowering.
Pests and diseases
Nandina is generally robust. Watch for spider mites or scale insects indoors or in warm regions. Powdery mildew can occur with humidity stagnation; ensure good air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage when watering.
Did you know?
Nandina is revered in East Asia, particularly in Japan where it is called 'nanten'. According to tradition, its brilliant red berries symbolize good fortune and protection, explaining its frequent presence in ornamental gardens and near temples. Its scientific name 'domestica' reflects this long history of cultivation alongside humans for over a thousand years.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Oregon grapeMahonia aquifolium
- Japanese barberryBerberis thunbergii
- Leatherleaf mahoniaMahonia bealei
- Darwin barberryBerberis darwinii
- Wintergreen barberryBerberis julianae
- CalafateBerberis microphylla
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.