Bamboo grows at up to 91 cm per day or 0.00002 mph. With over 1,000 bamboo species, growth rates vary. Moso bamboo grows quickly, completing height and diameter growth within 35-40 days after emergence.
Bamboo is a grass, so does not attract snakes. It thrives in nutrient-poor soil, producing biomass that improves soil over time. Bamboo needs water, not fertilizer. Some species grow in sun, others in shade.
Rapid Emergence in Spring
During spring, bamboo shoots emerge rapidly. This growth is cell elongation, not cell division. Mature bamboo produces maximum-size shoots. A "cone" at the base contains cells that become the new stem. Adding water inflates these cells, causing rapid vertical growth without losing diameter.
Green-Glaucous bamboo also grows quickly, reaching over 20 inches per day and can grow to 35 feet with 3 inch diameter stems. Green Stripe Vivax reaches 45 feet. Both grow better in warmth but can thrive in cool climates too.
Versatility and Sustainability
Bamboo is incredibly versatile. Its stalks can be sustainably harvested without uprooting. Although a grass, bamboo flooring has a signature hardness when fully mature. Basic needs like sunlight and water are all that’s required to maximize bamboo’s growth rate.
A bamboo forest gives off 35% more oxygen than trees, reducing carbon footprint. Bamboo is a fast-growing, sustainable substitute for wood.
A Chinese research team found that fast-growing bamboo species have much higher levels of auxin, a plant growth hormone, than slow-growing ones.