How Fast Does Bamboo Grow? The World's Fastest Plant

Short answer: Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world. Certain species can grow close to a metre in a single day under optimal conditions, and most textile bamboo species are ready to harvest after 3-5 years. By comparison, a tree typically needs several decades.

How fast does bamboo actually grow?

The records belong to species such as moso bamboo, which can shoot up around a metre in a day during the growing season. The secret is that bamboo is a grass: the shoot comes out of the ground at its full thickness and only has to stretch upwards. Read more about that family in our post on whether bamboo clothing is sustainable.

Why the growth matters for your clothes

Because bamboo grows so fast and shoots again from the same root system after harvest, a lot of cellulose can be produced on very little land – without replanting, irrigation or pesticides on most plantations. That is part of the reason bamboo viscose is the raw material in everything from bamboo underwear for men to bamboo clothing for women.

From fast plant to soft fabric

The growth is only the first step. The cellulose still has to go through a chemical process before it becomes soft fabric – and that is important to be honest about. Curious about certified forestry? Take a look at our FSC certified products.

Frequently asked questions

Can bamboo really grow a metre in a day?

Yes, a few species such as moso bamboo can grow close to a metre in a day under optimal conditions during the growing season.

How long does it take before bamboo can be harvested?

Most species used for textiles are ready to harvest after 3-5 years – and the plant shoots again from the same root system.

Does bamboo have to be replanted after harvest?

No. Bamboo is harvested like grass: the root system stays in the ground and sends up new shoots, so the plantation renews itself.