Heavenly bamboo
Nandina domestica
Also called Nandina and Sacred bamboo
Garden plant · ShrubsIT IS NOT A BAMBOO AND WILL NOT RUN, which is the useful half of the name being wrong — no barrier needed, no spreading. It also keeps its berries into spring, and those berries are the part to keep away from birds and animals.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 5 daysDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a cold winter RHS H5, to -15°C
- Size
- 2 m tall · 1.5 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- Japan, China and India
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses. Signs: weakness, vomiting, seizures and collapse — the berries carry cyanogenic glycosides and are the dangerous part.
PeopleHarmful if eaten
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-21.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.