Which Bamboo Species Is Used for Clothing?
Short answer: By far the most bamboo clothing is made from moso bamboo, a giant bamboo from China. So if you want to know which bamboo species is used for clothing, the answer is almost always moso. The species grows extremely fast, needs neither irrigation nor pesticides, and is not the species pandas live on.
Moso, the species behind almost all bamboo clothing
Moso bamboo can grow more than 20 metres tall and put on almost a metre a day during the growing season. It is harvested without pulling up the plant, because new shoots come up from the root network. That makes it a renewable raw material, as we describe in more detail in the guide to sustainability and bamboo viscose.
From plant to fibre
The bamboo stem cannot be spun directly into yarn. It is dissolved chemically and spun into bamboo viscose or the more gently produced lyocell. We explain the difference between the two processes in the post about bamboo lyocell vs. bamboo rayon. Either way, the result is a soft, smooth fibre that feels good against your skin.
What does the species mean for your clothes?
For you as a customer, moso bamboo means the raw material is fast-growing and hardy, and that the fibres end up long and uniform. You feel it as softness and good moisture transport in everything from bamboo underwear for men and bamboo underwear for women to bamboo bedding.
Frequently asked questions
Which bamboo species is used for clothing?
Almost all bamboo clothing is made from moso bamboo, a fast-growing giant bamboo grown mainly in China.
Does bamboo clothing take food away from pandas?
No. Pandas live on other, smaller bamboo species, and the moso bamboo used for textiles is grown on plantations outside the areas where pandas live.
Is moso bamboo organic?
Moso is typically grown without pesticides and irrigation, but the clothing is only as sustainable as the whole process. Look for certifications such as OEKO-TEX when you buy bamboo clothing.
