Is Bamboo a Grass or a Tree?

Short answer: Bamboo is a grass – not a tree. The plant belongs to the grass family, even though its woody stems can grow more than 20 metres tall and look like tree trunks. That is exactly why bamboo grows so fast and shoots again after harvest, like a lawn that has been mowed.

Is bamboo a grass? Yes – biologically speaking

Bamboo belongs to the grass family Poaceae, the same family as wheat and rice. The difference from a tree is clear below ground: bamboo grows from a root system that constantly sends up new shoots. If you cut down a bamboo stem, the plant does not die – it shoots again.

Why that is good for the environment

Because the plant renews itself, bamboo can be harvested year after year without replanting, and most plantations manage without irrigation and pesticides. That makes bamboo an efficient raw material – but remember that the fabric still has to go through a chemical process. Get the full picture in the honest guide to bamboo and the environment.

From grass to wardrobe

The cellulose from the grass stems becomes bamboo viscose – the soft fabric in bamboo underwear for women, bamboo underwear for men and bamboo bedding. You can read more about the properties of the material in bamboo and temperature regulation.

Frequently asked questions

Why is bamboo counted as a grass?

Because botanically the plant belongs to the grass family Poaceae. It grows from a root system and shoots again after harvest, just like other grasses.

How tall can bamboo grow?

The largest species can grow more than 20 metres tall with stems as thick as small tree trunks – but it is still grass.

Does the bamboo plant die when it is harvested?

No. The root system stays in the ground and sends up new shoots, so the same plant can be harvested many times.