How Long does Bamboo Live for?

There are nearly 100 different registered species of bamboo. Bamboos are perennial grasses that have woody and hollow stems.

While the different species of bamboo show different characteristics, they share several similarities despite their diversity. The lifespan of bamboo is one such trait.

In this article, we discuss the lifespan of bamboo and try to find an answer to the question: How long does bamboo live? Take a look at the lifecycle of a bamboo tree.

Lifespan Of A Bamboo Tree

While bamboo is technically a kind of grass, it is arduous to misunderstand it for a tree due to its large stems. Bamboos are known to live for as long as 120 years, and despite that, they complete their entire growth in the first 60 days!

(Image Courtesy: Clint Losee)

Blue whales are the largest living creatures on earth, and the same goes for bamboo in the plant kingdom. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants and can attain heights in the upwards of hundreds of meters.

Can Bamboo Live Without Water?

Bamboos are great plants because they call for too much attention and care. However, that doesn’t mean that they won’t need water. But, even without water, they can survive for around 3-4 years. So, while technically they do need water to survive, they do just fine for years if there is a scarcity of water. However, it is important to note here that water should be provided in constant supply in the formative days of a bamboo plant, especially during the first year.

More On: Is Bamboo A Tree or Grass?

Once bamboo survives through the initial year, it can then survive on less water. You can even cut fully-grown bamboos from the middle and plant them as two separate plants, and they will continue to live.

Bamboo Growth Facts

Now, let us know some of the interesting facts about the growth of a bamboo plant. Take a look:

#1. Bamboos are fascinating plants and their growth rate surprises, everyone. However, despite the rapid growth rate, flowers are hardly ever seen on them. In fact, some species of bamboos flower after 65 long years!

#2. Bamboos can grow extremely tall. The largest species of a bamboo can grow as tall as 1500 feet!

#3. Here is a fact that makes bamboo the fastest growing plant in the world: Bamboos can grow up to 5 feet in only 24 hours if the conditions around are ideal for them.

So, there you have it. If you found this article informative, let us know in the comments below.

(Featured Image Courtesy: LinkedIn)