When most people think of plants, they imagine a slow and methodical process: a seed germinates, sprouts a small set of leaves, grows taller day by day, and flowers produce offspring. But there is one plant that bucks the trend. What is the fastest-growing plant on Earth? According to the Guiness Book of World Records, it’s the bamboo!
Bamboo can grow an astonishing three feet in just twenty-four hours!
However, there’s another contender that grows faster. It’s duckweed.
Learn which one is truly the fastest plus a list of additional plants will make either an instant garden or instant fence for your yard.
What Is the Fastest-Growing Plant?
Common Duckweed (Lemna minor) and certain species under the genus Wolfia are two of the fastest-growing plants in the world. They can both double their biomass in less than 12 hours.
Duckweed is a common plant that can be found in fresh or brackish water bodies all over the world. It is a small, green, floating plant that often goes unnoticed because it’s so tiny. But don’t let its size deceive you – duckweed is a powerhouse when it comes to growth!
Duckweed floats on water though and doesn’t grow as fast once it covers the surface of a pond.
Bamboo is also a major contender for the world’s fastest-growing plant. This plant grows vertically into the air at rates of up to 91 cm (3 ft) per day (source)!
Bamboo is a giant grass that can reach heights of over 30 m (100 ft). There are many different species of bamboo, and they all have different growth rates.
Why Is Duckweed Seen as The Fastest-Growing Plant?
One of the reasons duckweed is seen as the fastest-growing plant is because it can double its biomass in such a short amount of time. Duckweed can achieve this growth rate due to its simple structure.
Duckweed is a small, green plant that floats on the surface of water bodies. It has a very simple structure with just one leaf and a root. This simple structure means that duckweed can grow quickly and doesn’t need much energy to do so.
Why Is Bamboo Seen as The Fastest-Growing Plant?
Bamboo, on the other hand, is a giant grass that can reach heights of over 30 m (100 ft). There are many different species of bamboo, and they all have different growth rates.
Bamboo is seen as the fastest-growing plant because it can grow up to 91 cm (3 ft) in a single day! This fast growth rate is because bamboo has a very efficient way of growing.
Bamboo grows by producing new shoots from its underground rhizomes. These new shoots then grow very quickly, reaching their full height in just a few months.
Bamboo is such an efficient grower that it has been used in many different ways. It is often used as a building material because it can be grown so quickly. It is also used to make paper and furniture.
What Are Some Other Fast-Growing Plants?
There are many other fast-growing plants out there, though not all of them grow as quickly as duckweed or bamboo.
Here are some other fast-growing plants that you may be interested in:
Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus is a fast-growing tree that can reach heights of over 30 m (100 ft). It is native to Australia but has been introduced to many other parts of the world.
Paulownia – Paulownia is another fast-growing tree that can reach heights of over 30 m (100 ft). It is native to China but has been introduced to many other parts of the world.
Poplar – Poplar is a fast-growing tree that can reach heights of over 30 m (100 ft). It is native to Europe but has been introduced to many other parts of the world.
Willow – Willow is a fast-growing tree that can reach heights of over 30 m (100 ft). It is native to Europe but has been introduced to many other parts of the world.
As you can see, there are many fast-growing plants out there! If you’re looking for a plant that will grow quickly, then one of these may be a good option for you.
17 Fastest-Growing Plants and Flowers for A Quick Garden
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Ageratum
- Portulaca
- Marigolds
- Nasturtiums
- Larkspur
- Morning Glories
- Petunias
- Impatiens
- Snapdragon
- Celosia
- Cosmos
- Zucchini
- Bush Beans
- Pumpkins
- Radishes
These are some of the fastest-growing plants and flowers that you can grow in your garden! If you want a quick and easy garden, then these are some great options for you.
7 Fast-Growing Plants for Instant Privacy Fencing
- Bamboo
- Willow
- Fast Growing Privet
- Chocolate Vine (AKA five-leaf akebia)
- Lilac
- Cypress (especially Leyland Cypress)
- Hydrangeas
These are some of the fastest-growing plants that you can use for instant fencing! If you need a quick and easy fence, then these are some great options for you.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many fast-growing plants out there! If you’re looking for a plant that will grow quickly, then one of these may be a good option for you. Whether you need a quick and easy garden or a fast-growing fence, these plants will get the job done!
Hi, I’m John Stephens, chief editor and writer for Totalgardener.com. I’ve been gardening and raising animals for over 15 years starting with a small backyard plot in Northern Virginia where I grew corn, potatoes, squash, and using a high mulch technique called the Ruth Stout Method. I also raised ducks and small mammals for meat and eggs in a movable pen similar to the ones used by Joel Salatin. I later moved to Colorado where I experimented with growing greens using aquaponics inside. I eventually added a microgreens setup and home sprouting operation. I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned plus more from the other local gardening and animal raising experts I know.
