Where in the world bamboo grows
Short answer: Bamboo grows naturally in Asia, Africa and the Americas, with the main concentration in tropical and subtropical Asia. That is also where most of the industrial cultivation for textiles and boards takes place.
Distribution
Bamboo occurs naturally on several continents, but it is most widespread in Asia, where both the largest number of species and the big stands are found. Native species also grow in parts of Africa and in South and Central America. Bamboo does not occur naturally in Europe, and the plants seen here were introduced as ornamentals.
The climate
Most species thrive in a warm and humid climate with plenty of rain, where they can grow for much of the year. A few species come from cooler mountain areas and tolerate frost, and these are the ones that can be grown in northern European gardens. The warmer and wetter the climate, the more plant mass a stand can produce in a short time.
Industrial cultivation
Most of the bamboo used for textiles and boards is grown in Asia. The climate, the right species and experience with growing and harvesting the plant all come together there. Industry mainly grows sturdy species with a lot of mass. More on the species in which bamboo species is used for clothing.
In Europe
In Europe, bamboo is mostly grown as an ornamental plant, not as a raw material. It is planted as a hedge, a screen or in pots, and the species are hardy enough to survive winter. The climate here is too cool for the large textile species to produce as much plant mass as in Asia. So the raw material for textiles almost always comes from elsewhere.
Transport and processing
Because the raw material is bulky, the first processing takes place close to where the plant is grown. The canes take up a lot of space compared with the amount of fibre they yield, so it makes sense to process them before shipping them on. See how cane becomes fabric in from bamboo plant to soft fabric.
The season
In tropical growing regions, growth falls in the rainy season, when there is enough moisture for the shoots to come up. New shoots reach their full height within a season, and the canes then mature for a few years before they are harvested. Read more about growth in how much bamboo grows in a day.
What it means for your clothes
The fact that the raw material grows far away says nothing on its own about how the clothes feel. What matters to you is how the fibre is processed, how the fabric is knitted and what weight it has. You notice a good fabric by its softness, by how it drapes and by how it keeps its shape after washing.
Browse the range
When choosing bamboo clothing, look for the fit and fabric weight that suit your everyday life, and follow the care label so the fabric lasts longer. See the textiles in bamboo clothing for women or in bamboo clothing for men.
Frequently asked questions
Where does bamboo grow naturally?
In Asia, Africa and South and Central America, with the main concentration in tropical and subtropical Asia. Bamboo does not grow naturally in Europe, but is grown here as an ornamental.
Where is bamboo for textiles grown?
Most of it is grown in Asia, where the climate, the species and the experience come together. The first processing usually happens close to where the plant grows.
Can bamboo for clothing be grown in Denmark?
Not in practice. The climate is too cool for the large textile species to produce enough plant mass. Here bamboo is grown as an ornamental in gardens and pots.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
