Bamboo 'Black Asper' (Bambusa lako)
Regular price Sale price $79.95Edible, Ornamental, and Strikingly Beautiful Black Bamboo
Black Asper Bamboo also known as Timor Black Bamboo, is a rare, highly ornamental clumping bamboo prized for both its deep purple-black culms and tender, edible shoots. Native to the island of Timor in Indonesia, this tropical showstopper grows to an impressive 50–70 feet tall, forming elegant upright canes that slowly mature to a rich black with age and sun exposure.
While stunning to look at, Black Asper is also highly functional. Its young shoots are edible and delicious—ideal for use in stir-fries, curries, and traditional dishes. Though smaller and firmer than those of Giant Asper (Bambusa asper), these shoots are still valued for their mild flavor and crisp texture.
As a clumping, non-invasive species, Black Asper is a dream to grow in tropical and subtropical food forests. It makes a bold specimen planting, natural privacy screen, or living hedge, offering fast-growing structure, shade, and erosion control. Like all tropical bamboos, it prefers warm climates and thrives in USDA Zones 9–11.
At Sow Exotic, our Black Asper Bamboo plants are shipped in 1-gallon biodegradable coconut coir pots, ready for planting with zero plastic waste.
Quick Facts: Edible Bamboo Varieties
| Asper Bamboo | Black Asper Bamboo | Oldhamii Bamboo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bambusa asper | Bambusa lako | Bambusa oldhamii |
| Common Names | Asper, Giant Bamboo | Black Asper, Timor Black Bamboo | Oldhamii, Sweet Shoot Bamboo |
| Plant Type | Perennial Clumping Bamboo | Perennial Clumping Bamboo | Perennial Clumping Bamboo |
| Life Cycle | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial |
| Food Forest Layer | Canopy / Windbreak Layer | Canopy / Windbreak Layer | Canopy / Windbreak Layer |
| Mature Size | 60-100 ft tall | 50-70 ft tall | 50-65 ft tall |
| Light | Full Sun to Partial Shade | Full Sun to Partial Shade | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate; drought-tolerant once established | Moderate; drought-tolerant once established | Moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| Harvest Season | Spring (young shoots) | Spring (young shoots) | Spring (young shoots) |
| Time to Harvest | 1-2 years for shoots | 2-3 years for shoots | 1-2 years for shoots |
| Self-Fertile | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Native Region | Southeast Asia | Timor, Indonesia | Taiwan |
| Florida Native | No | No | No |
| Zones | USDA Zones 9-11 | USDA Zones 9-11 | USDA Zones 8-11 |
| Propagation | Division / Tissue Culture | Division / Tissue Culture | Division / Tissue Culture |
| Pot Size | 1-Gallon Plantable Biodegradable Coconut Coir Pot | 1-Gallon Plantable Biodegradable Coconut Coir Pot | 1-Gallon Plantable Biodegradable Coconut Coir Pot |
| Seasonal Characteristics | Evergreen, Cold-sensitive under 25°F | Evergreen, Cold-sensitive under 25°F | Evergreen, Cold-tolerant down to 20°F |
Wondering about your USDA Growing Zone and what you can grow? 🌎🌿 Learn how to find your Zone and grow tropical plants anywhere—Florida to Alaska! 👉 Read the full blog here!
We ship every plant plastic-free and planet-friendly—using compostable packaging, recyclable pots, and carbon-conscious shipping from start to finish. 🌎🌱👉 Our Commitment to Packaging & Shipping Sustainability
