How tall bamboo can grow
Short answer: The largest bamboo species can grow more than twenty metres tall, with stems as thick as an arm. The species grown in gardens in northern Europe stay much smaller and are mostly used as hedges and screens.
The large species
In Asia there are bamboo species that grow more than twenty metres tall. The stems can become as thick as an arm and are both light and stiff. That is why they are used for scaffolding, building and tools. Such plants need warmth, moisture and space, and usually grow in dense stands with many stems.
The small species
Many ornamental species only reach a couple of metres. They are used as hedges, screens and in pots, because they stay green all year and give shelter from the wind. Some species spread through underground runners and can spread more than intended, so it is wise to choose the species carefully before planting.
Full height comes quickly
A shoot reaches its full height within a single growing season. It rises during a short, intense period and then stops. After that the stem only becomes firmer and stronger. A tall bamboo stem is therefore not necessarily old, and may have grown up in the space of a few months.
Thickness is set from the start
A bamboo stem does not get thicker over the years the way a tree does. It comes out of the ground with the thickness it will keep. This is because bamboo is a grass and not a tree, even though the stem can look like wood. Read more in is bamboo a grass or a tree.
The age of the plant
Although each stem reaches its height quickly, the plant as a whole gets taller over the years. A new root network sends up thin, low shoots, while an older and stronger one can send up thicker and taller shoots. So a stand gradually gets taller, even though each stem stops growing after its first season.
In a garden
In a garden in northern Europe, bamboo rarely grows more than a few metres tall. Winters are cold, the season is shorter, and there is less warmth and moisture than in the tropics. That is not a flaw in the plant but a question of climate. Ask your garden centre how tall a given species usually grows locally.
For textiles
The species used for textiles are the vigorous ones, because a lot of plant material is needed to make fibres. A large stem provides more cellulose, which is what is used in production. Which species is chosen depends on what grows well in the area. Read more in which bamboo species is used for clothing.
From plant to fabric
The stem does not become clothing by being cut into threads. The cellulose is dissolved in a chemical process and formed into new fibres, which are spun into yarn and then knitted or woven. That is why a hard, tall stem can end up as a soft, smooth textile. See the process in from bamboo plant to soft fabric.
What you feel in the clothes
The height of the plant says nothing about how the clothes feel. The fabric decides that: how smooth it is, how lightly it falls and how it feels against the skin. Bamboo viscose is usually soft and supple, so it is often used for underwear, T-shirts and clothes worn all day.
See the range
If you want to see how the raw material ends up as finished clothing, you will find the range in one place. It includes basics and everyday clothing made from bamboo viscose. Look at fit and fabric weight in the descriptions so you find something that suits the way you dress. See bamboo clothing for men.
Frequently asked questions
How tall does bamboo grow?
The largest species can grow more than twenty metres tall, with stems as thick as an arm. Many ornamental species, on the other hand, only reach a couple of metres.
How long does it take?
A shoot reaches its full height within a single growing season. After that the stem does not grow taller, but only becomes firmer and stronger over time.
Does garden bamboo grow that tall?
No. Ornamental species in gardens in northern Europe rarely grow more than a few metres, because the climate is cooler and the season shorter than in the tropics.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
