Top 7 Fastest Growing Plants In The World

The world of plants is diverse and fascinating, with species that have adapted to survive in almost every environment on Earth. Among these, some of the most remarkable are those that grow at an astonishingly rapid pace.

These fast-growing plants are not only a wonder of nature, but they also have significant ecological, economic, and cultural values. Their fast growth makes them ideal for a variety of uses, from providing quick shade and windbreaks to producing timber and biomass for energy, to serving as ornamental plants in landscaping.

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Here we would like to share with you the top 7 fastest growing plants in the world that will perhaps save humanity against climate change.

7. Transgenic Eucalyptus

Credit: Nature

Transgenic Eucalyptus represents a significant advancement in the field of plant biotechnology as these genetically modified eucalyptus trees have been engineered to exhibit enhanced growth rates and improved wood quality, making them highly valuable for the paper and wood industries.

The genetic transformation of eucalyptus involves the introduction of specific genes that can induce cell elongation more rapidly, resulting in faster growth and development of the trees. The trees have been known to grow up to 16 feet per year.

Such traits allow these plantations to adapt to a wide range of environments and offer an alternative solution to meet the growing wood demands of the world while helping to save natural forests from deforestation.

6. Kudzu

Kudzu, scientifically known as Pueraria montana var. lobata has earned a reputation for its rapid spread. Native to Japan and southeast China, Kudzu was introduced to the United States in the late 19th century as an ornamental garden plant and for soil erosion control.

However, it quickly became an invasive species due to its rapid growth rate and ability to outcompete native plants. Kudzu is a perennial climbing vine that thrives under various conditions and in many soil types.

Once established, Kudzu grows at an astonishing rate of one foot per day, with mature vines reaching lengths of up to 100 feet.

5. Acacia

Acacia, a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the Fabaceae (legume) family and Mimosoideae subfamily, is known to be the fastest-growing tree out there. Acacias are generally long-lived and fast-growing, often with deep roots that enable them to thrive under dry, drought conditions.

In ideal conditions, some Acacia species grow an average of 2.8 m a year. However, one particular Acacia tree, the Acacia falcate, which was planted in Sabah, Malaysia, managed to put on an astounding 35 feet of height in just 13 months.

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Acacia trees and shrubs have a variety of landscape uses. Most have clusters of flowers that are yellow or cream in color.

4. Wisconsin Fast Plants

Wisconsin Fast Plants, scientifically known as Brassica rapa is a perfect example of a fast-growing plant developed in the late 1980s by a team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This plan was designed to mature quickly, with the entire life cycle taking only around six weeks. The short life cycle of these plants makes them an excellent tool for teaching and learning about plant biology. They progress from seed to plant to flower in just 14 days, and then on to seed in 40 days.

Under ideal growing conditions of continuous light, water, and nutrition, Wisconsin Fast Plants will produce harvestable seeds approximately 40 days after planting.

3. Algae

Algae, a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms, are among the fastest-growing plants in the world. They are classified into two main groups: Macroalgae and Microalgae. Macroalgae, such as kelp and seaweed, can grow to be quite large, while microalgae are much smaller.

Both types of algae are capable of growing at a rapid pace, and their growth rates can be influenced by various factors like temperature, light and nutrient availability as well as pH levels.

The fastest type of algae is Picochlorum Renovo which can grow five to 10 times faster compared to other types of algae. This algae species has a doubling time of about 2.2 hours.

2. Duckweed

Duckweed, also known as Wolffia, is a fascinating plant known for its rapid growth rate. This tiny aquatic plant thrives on the surface of quiet ponds and stagnant ditches. Despite its small size, duckweed is an ecological powerhouse with enormous potential for addressing some of the world’s biggest environmental and food security challenges.

Duckweed can double its mass in between 16 hours to 2 days if they have optimal nutrient availability, sunlight, and water temperature. Even under less-than-ideal conditions, duckweed can still grow very fast if it has what it needs.

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Researchers have discovered that duckweed’s capability to grow quickly in the dark contributes to its rapid spread in many lakes and ponds.

1. Bamboo

Bamboo, a member of the grass family Poaceae, is renowned for its rapid growth rate with the Guinness World Records recognizing them to grow up to 91cm(35 inches) per day. Despite this, it does not specify which species of bamboo holds the record.

The rapid growth of bamboo is attributed to its unique form of elongation. Many bamboo plants have a large cone at the base, which contains all of the cells that will eventually become a new bamboo stem, referred to as a culm.

In the right conditions, water enters these cells, causing them to rapidly inflate. The cell walls prevent lateral expansion, forcing the cells to elongate quickly. With proper care and the right environmental conditions, these plants can reach nearly 100 feet in height.

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