Wondering what is the tallest grass in the world?
To give you a straight answer: Bamboo is the tallest grass in the world. There are numerous types of bamboo, with heights of at least one hundred feet.
But is bamboo grass? Yes, bamboo is grass.
It is a massive grass used as a source of food, building materials, and animal feed.
The Chinese use it as a building material, and some of their structures still survive.
The present-day buildings also make extensive use of bamboos, including using them to create furniture and flooring materials.
Well, if you are curious to know more about the tallest grass in the world, this article is all you need.
Just read it till the end!
What Is the Tallest Grass in the World?
Most grasses are members of the Poaceae family—one of the largest known plant families, which contains approximately one thousand genera and more than 10,000 species of grasses of all sizes.
And bamboo is a family member of grass!
The giant bamboo species can reach a diameter of one foot. Aside from Antarctica and Europe, bamboo is found in every continent.
Dragon bamboo is the tallest grass in the world, sometimes also called “Giant bamboo” or “Giant Burmese bamboo” (Dendrocalamus giganteus). It can grow to a maximum height of 40–45 m under ideal conditions, with an average height of 20–25 m. The tallest Dendrocalamus giganteus measures up to 42 m (137.9 feet) tall and was discovered in Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.), Pampas Grasses (Cortaderia sp.), and Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) are other species of tallest grass in the world.
Watch this video to find out more about Dragon bamboo:
FAQs
With all that aside, let us look at some frequently asked questions.
How Long Does It Take to Grow Bamboo?
When conditions are ideal, bamboo grows every day up to a foot or more without any care from your side.
While most commodities cultivated on plantations are harvested annually, some bamboos can grow so quickly that they are picked every 3–5 years. This is because annual harvesting tends to damage the stands due to the bamboo’s continually expanding root system.
How Did Bamboo Gain Popularity?
Between the 1880s and 1920s, bamboo became popular in the United States.
Due to its widespread use, this tall grass was planted in numerous states, including California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and even Alaska.
Most people could recognize bamboo at the turn of the century since bamboo was used frequently for fences.
Is Bamboo an Easy Plant to Grow?
Yes, bamboo is grass, which makes it extremely easy to grow!
It is a sizable grass that has been utilized for food production, construction, and animal feed. The Chinese used it as a building material, and some of their buildings are still standing today.
Related article: How to Grow and Care for Bamboo Plant? | Complete Guide!
Can I Grow Bamboo in My Garden?
If you want privacy, pick a location with fences or other physical obstacles on both sides that prevent people from seeing into your yard.
Other appropriate locations are those that are far from roads and electrical lines.
A mail-order kit or a potted plant can be used to plant bamboo.
Bamboo grows on underground stems known as rhizomes, which eventually spread to form huge, thick clumps.
You can harvest the stalks of bamboo.
If you do not have either, think of crafting with the stalks or culms or building a trellis for climbing plants.
Bamboo can thrive in almost any soil that drains properly but needs a lot of water. Bamboo prefers a lot of moisture and direct sunlight.
Where Can I Find Bamboo to Plant?
A lot of internet stores and nurseries sell bamboo plants if you are looking to have them.
However, if you reside in a cold location, you should hold off until the spring and summer, when the new growth starts to sprout and establish itself.
Bamboo can live for many years depending on the type and variation you choose to cultivate and the climate where you reside.
How Much Water Does Bamboo Require?
Bamboo is a rhizome with a deep root system and does not require much water to grow.
Some varieties of bamboo can grow up to a foot each day.
Some bamboo species grow at a rate of 2–3 feet per day or more when well-established in favorable conditions.
Additionally, it spreads underground, sending rhizomes to build new clumps and producing new plants wherever nodes develop.
Can You Keep a Bamboo Short?
You can keep the tallest grass in the world short!
Cutting off at least half of the elder stalks regularly is the only way to keep the bamboo’s short.
The optimal period for harvesting bamboo is early July before the leaves emerge from their sheaths. If you wait until too late in the summer to harvest them, they will become too heavy for one person to manage.
So, you will need some equipment to sort them out!
That is all!
Conclusion
Now, as you have come along so far, you know what is the tallest grass in the world.
Bamboo is easy to grow if you want to have the tallest grass in the world in your home garden. So, you do not have to worry; if bamboos get enough sunlight, you are good to go.
You can also try to plant your own bamboo tree house. People have been doing it for centuries worldwide; you can do it too!
Gather your family and friends to build the tree house. It would be a great project to work on!
Happy gardening!