Phyllostachys edulis is the scientific name for Moso bamboo, one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. This remarkable plant achieves its towering height in a single, explosive growth phase, unlike most other woody plants that grow steadily over many years. This rapid development has led to its widespread use and study.
The Actual Growth Rate: Daily Speed Records
Moso bamboo’s growth rate during its peak season is extremely fast. Under ideal conditions, a single Moso culm can grow up to 91 centimeters (35 inches) in a 24-hour period. This means the plant can gain nearly a meter of vertical height in a single day.
In exceptional cases, maximum growth rates have reached 114.5 centimeters per day, translating to about 1.5 inches every hour during its fastest period. This rapid growth only occurs for a short window, typically coinciding with the beginning of spring. Once the new shoot reaches its final height, it ceases vertical growth and will not grow taller in subsequent years.
The Biological Mechanism of Rapid Growth
The biological reason Moso bamboo grows so fast is a unique process that differs fundamentally from how trees develop. The entire structure of the culm, including the number of nodes, is pre-formed underground within the shoot before it emerges. Therefore, the plant is not continuously growing new cells along its entire length as it shoots up.
Instead of cell division, Moso bamboo relies primarily on rapid cell elongation. The vertical surge is fueled by the simultaneous lengthening of all the internodes up the stalk. This rapid expansion is made possible by a vast energy reservoir stored in the extensive underground rhizome network. This stored energy allows the shoot to grow heterotrophically, meaning it does not need to photosynthesize until after the culm has reached its full height. Hormones like gibberellin and auxin also play a significant role in sustaining this explosive elongation phase.
Environmental Factors Limiting Growth
Maximum growth speeds require specific external conditions that optimize the plant’s physiological processes. Moso bamboo thrives in environments with temperatures ideally between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) during the growing season. Consistent and abundant water availability is particularly important because rapid expansion requires immense quantities of moisture for cell elongation.
The plant prefers well-drained, nutrient-rich soil, often with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 5.5 and 7.0. While waterlogging is detrimental, the soil must remain consistently moist, as Moso bamboo does not tolerate drought well. The rhizome system must also be mature and well-established to generate the necessary energy reserves for a large shoot. Newly planted Moso bamboo initially dedicates its energy to building this underground network, meaning it may take several years before it produces thick, tall culms.