If you love the elegant look of Gracilis bamboo but don’t need a full 6-8 metres of height, meet its compact cousin - Goldstripe Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex ‘Goldstripe’).
This beautiful clumping bamboo offers the same lush screening, graceful movement and hardy nature, but stays shorter, perfect for narrow garden beds or smaller urban spaces.
Why Choose Goldstripe Bamboo?
Goldstripe is one of the most versatile clumping bamboos available in Australia.
- Grows to around 3–4 metres tall (up to 5 m in ideal conditions).
- Features gold-striped culms that add a warm, tropical tone.
- Naturally forms a tight, upright clump about 1 metre wide — ideal where space is limited.
- Performs beautifully in full sun to part shade and suits coastal or inland climates.
Compared to Gracilis, which can reach 6–8 metres, Goldstripe gives you a more compact screen that’s easier to maintain and just as effective for privacy. It’s a perfect choice for courtyards, side fences, pool areas or suburban yards where you want height without overpowering the garden.
Planting & Spacing in Narrow Garden Beds
If you have a 1 metre-wide garden bed, Goldstripe is a dream to work with.
- Spacing: Plant one clump every 1 metre for a lush, seamless screen.
- Want faster coverage? Tighten spacing to 0.8 m or less between plants.
- Ideally keep plants about 30–50 cm from the fence to allow room for growth and airflow.
Goldstripe’s naturally upright habit means it won’t sprawl into pathways or neighbouring gardens. Over time, each clump fills out to form a soft, dense green wall that’s easy to shape.
Watering & Feeding – Easy Maintenance for a Healthy Screen
Watering:
- During establishment (first 6–12 months), water deeply, daily, especially in warm or dry weather.
- Once mature, Goldstripe becomes moderately drought-tolerant but still appreciates regular deep watering in summer.
Feeding:
- Feed in spring, summer and ealrly Autumn with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser (like a lawn or general garden blend).
- Supplement with liquid fertiliser or organic compost if growth slows.
- Keep a thick mulch layer (such as sugar-cane or bark) to hold moisture and feed soil microbes. Ths is only needed initally as the bamboo will generate its mulch ongoing from ist foilage.
With this simple routine, your bamboo will stay green, vigorous, and upright all year round.
Pruning & Long-Term Care
Goldstripe is a non-invasive clumping bamboo, so you’ll never have to worry about it running wild.
Every couple of years:
- Thin out old culms near the base to allow fresh shoots to emerge.
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Trim the height if you’d like a more contained look — Goldstripe responds well to pruning.
That’s it — minimal effort for maximum reward.
Final Thoughts
Goldstripe Bamboo is proof that smaller can still be spectacular. With regular watering, seasonal feeding and the right spacing, it creates a lush, private backdrop that looks effortlessly tropical all year round.
At Zen Bamboo Newcastle, we grow healthy, premium Goldstripe and Gracilis bamboo ready for your garden.
