How fast do the giant bamboos grow in the UK?

 The giant bamboo Gigantochloa verticillate at Kew Garden grows to 2.4 metres in just 16 days.  

In Kew’s Tropical Palm House, the conditions are right for the bamboo plants. The greenhouse imitates tropical conditions, that is why the bamboo grows at this absolutely crazy rate. 

 The giant bamboo Gigantochloa verticillate at Kew Garden grows to 2.4 metres in just 16 days.  

How fast do the giant bamboos grow in the UK? 

To put it in perspective, the giant bamboo grows at a rate of 15 cm per day. Think about a typical classroom ruler is 30 cm, right? 

That would be how tall the bamboo grows in just 2 days. There are several factors that affect the growth of the bamboo plants such as humidity, sunlight, soil and moisture. 

As for UK bamboos, we measure the growth rate of Phyllostachys aureosulcata spectabilis in Summer (one of the common garden bamboos in the UK). 

This running bamboo grows at a rate of 1.43 cm per day. Take a look at how we measured and calculated how fast bamboo grows in a day.

Where to see the giant bamboo in the UK?

The Kew Royal Botanic Gardens is the place to see not only the Giant Timber Bamboos but also garden bamboo plants that grow in the UK.

The Kew’s Tropical Glass House is where you’ll see these three giant bamboos in all their glory. 

So, when you’re in London, visit Kew and see these adorable plants. The Bamboo Garden and Minka Japanese House have over 130 collections of bamboo plants. 

This is by far one of the largest collections of bamboo you will see near London, UK. 

The Bamboo Garden is magnificent, quiet calm and soothing. You can wander through the beautiful walkways and the arching bamboos. Or relax and listen to the rustle of bamboo leaves against the wind. 

Check out our video and image collection of the bamboos at Kew’s Tropical Glass House and Japanese Bamboo Garden.

Uses of Giant Bamboo plants

The giant bamboos are so versatile, they earn the name ‘friends of the people’. 

The bamboo sticks are used in buildings, paper making, utensils and tools, musical instruments and even for food. 

They also protect watershed areas from flooding. In mountainsides, they are important barriers to preventing soil erosion.

However, the giant bamboo natural habitats have now been lost to urbanisation and agricultural land use. 

Yet, it is often planted in stands as a source of building materials.