Mexican Bamboo (Japanese Knotweed): Beautiful but Invasive—Don't Plant It

Mexican bamboo (Polygonum cuspidatum, also sold as 'Crimson Beauty', 'Variegata', 'Spectabile', 'Tricolor') is a tall, hollow-stemmed perennial that dies back in winter and spreads aggressively via underground rhizomes.

Why It's a Problem

• Forms dense monocultures, crowding out natives.
• Rhizomes extend 20+ feet, penetrate foundations, pavement.
• Extremely difficult to eradicate once established.
• Japanese beetles love it, but that's not a benefit.

Verdict

No matter the cultivar name, do not buy or plant it. If you have it, persistent glyphosate applications on regrowth are the only practical control.

Mexican bamboo 'Spectabile'

See gardener reviews at "Mexican Bamboo" for more cautionary tales.