Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo
Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo is the low, mounding form of Nandina, staying about 2 to 4 feet tall and wide. Its fine leaves come in green and turn red through winter. It grows slowly and keeps a tidy shape, so it fits borders, foundation beds and patio pots. It does best with afternoon shade in the Valley.
Best for: low borders and edging on an east or north side, foundation beds under windows, and patio pots, with red winter color.
It forms a low, dense mound 2 to 4 feet tall and wide. That suits the front of a bed, a walk edge or under a window.
It grows slowly and stays compact in a container. Set pots where they get morning sun and afternoon shade.
The leaves come in green and turn red through the cold months, giving color when many shrubs look plain.
Afternoon sun and reflected heat scorch it in Phoenix summers. Alkaline soil can yellow the leaves. Like all Nandina, it is toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
- Plant to plant3-4 ft apart, center to center
Water every 3 to 4 days for the first two weeks, then stretch to every 10 to 14 days by week eight. Once rooted, water every 7 to 10 days in summer and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter.
Plant it with morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep it away from west walls and reflected heat.
It needs very little pruning, and it should not be sheared. In late winter or early spring, take any old, tall stems out at the base.
Yellow leaves with green veins point to low iron in alkaline soil. Treat with an iron product and mix compost into the planting hole.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo get?
It grows about 2 to 4 feet tall and wide, in a low, dense mound. It grows slowly, so it keeps its size in a border or pot.
Is it toxic to pets?
Yes. Nandina is toxic to dogs, cats and horses. It can cause weakness, poor coordination and seizures, and rarely death. Keep pets from chewing it.
Can it take full sun in Phoenix?
It does best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Full afternoon sun, west walls and reflected heat are hard on it in Phoenix summers.
When does it turn red?
The green leaves turn red through the cold months of winter. Plant it where you can see it from the house to enjoy the color.
How often should I water it?
Water every 3 to 4 days at first, stretching to every 10 to 14 days by week eight. Once it is rooted, water every 7 to 10 days in summer and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter.
Does it need pruning?
It needs very little pruning, just light shaping when needed, and it should not be sheared. In late winter or early spring, cut any old, tall stems out at the base.
Why are the leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves with green veins usually mean low iron in alkaline desert soil. Treat the plant with an iron product made for plants.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Yes. It is compact and slow, which suits borders and containers. Keep the pot out of hot afternoon sun.
How is it different from regular Heavenly Bamboo?
Regular Heavenly Bamboo grows 4 to 8 feet tall with upright canes. The dwarf stays 2 to 4 feet as a low mound, so it works at the front of a bed.
Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica 'Nana') is a compact, slow-growing form of Nandina that stays about 2 to 4 feet. It is known for its fine leaves and red winter color. Below: size, where to plant it in the Valley, watering, pruning, yellow leaves and pet safety.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo in Phoenix
Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo grows in the Valley with morning sun, afternoon shade and regular water. It stays a low 2 to 4 foot mound.
How big does dwarf Nandina get?
The 'Nana' form reaches about 2 to 4 feet tall and wide and grows slowly. Regular Heavenly Bamboo reaches 4 to 8 feet.
Is dwarf Nandina toxic to dogs?
Yes. All Nandina is toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Keep pets from chewing on it.
Dwarf Heavenly Bamboo winter color
The fine green leaves turn red through winter. It stays leafy all year.
Watering dwarf Nandina
Water every few days while it roots in, stretching to every 10 to 14 days. Once rooted, water every 7 to 10 days in summer and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter.
Yellow leaves on Nandina
Yellow leaves with green veins mean low iron, common in alkaline desert soil. Treat with an iron product and add compost at planting.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.