I grow some in a 10 gallon pot down here, but it does best outdoors and with some humidity and a lot of direct sunlight. Not to discourage you, but since it is a large growing bamboo by nature, it may not do very well indoors in a pot.

Mine doesn't get full with leaves and wants to put up shoots that are 20+ feet tall making it an undesired plant for a low ceiling indoor bamboo. Topping the culms may make them branch out lower down, but there are several other black culm bamboos that might do well instead of the more pricey Gigantochloa atroviolacea.

If you do decide to try some, or another kind of bamboo indoors, please let me(us) know how it does.

Good Luck

Kt

Thanks Kt,
What other black culm bamboos would you recommend to me inside the house other than the Gig Altro. Thanks
Christine

I really can't speak from experience on indoor grown bamboo since mine are only inside during cold nights or during colder months.

Of the black bamboos that I have had and seen, Gigantochloa atroviolacea is probably the prettiest, with those large leaves and green-striped black culms, but it may be too large of a bamboo for your use, but hey, you might want to try it, but as I mentioned above, it might be more money than you are willing to spend, particularly if it does not survive. Remember though, that in different areas of the country, bamboo does not always grow the same, so it may grow smaller in your area and thus be suitable for growing in a pot. Confused yet??

P. nigra is more common, costs less, and does really well in a pot here. It likes shade, even if grown outdoors, and the culms turn black with shade. If the culms are in a lot of sun, they will not turn completely black. This may differ in different growing regions, but it does quite well here. The only thing is that the leaves tips tend to turn brown and get a 'dried-out' look, especially during Winter months, or if over-watered.

It is similar(related) to Yellow Groove(P. aureosulcata). Black Bamboo(P. nigra).

I would try some under the same conditions that you have your Yellow Groove planted, and see how well it does.

There may be some others that will do well in pots but none that I have grown.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Good Luck

Kt

If you don't try the P. nigra and aren't completely set on a 'black' bamboo, you may want to try one of these...

Gib's Picks For Houseplants

Kt

That was a interesting link thanks.

i am wanting to use Gigantochloa atroviolacea as a natural blind will it do ok here down in south louisiana?

It should do very well in Southern Louisiana. Before the hurricanes came through, there were a few posters from south LA that had beautiful G. atroviolacea growing there. It loves the warmer temps.

There are also many other clumpers that will do very well there.

Good Luck

Kt