How long does it take for a plant to grow? Gardening On

When we observe a landscape for many days in a row, we will hardly notice any differences. Plants live on a time scale very different from ourswhich means that they take their time to grow. Thus, if we want to have a beautiful garden, it is essential that we have patience and that we respect the cycles of each plant being that composes it.

Anyway, it is important that we know how long does a plant take to grow and if we can do something to make them grow faster.

How long do plants take to grow?

The first thing we have to know is that not all plants have the same growth rate. In fact, those that live the shortest time grow the fastestAs they only have a few weeks, months or years to reach adulthood, flourish and leave offspring.

So here is a list of types of plants and how much they can grow based on the fact that they have water, light and the necessary nutrients to be healthy:

• Annual: are those that live a year or less. These grow very fast, at a rate of about 10 centimeters on average per month, to the point that when their flowering time arrives (spring or summer) they have already reached their adult size. That is, if they are sown at the end of winter, by summer they will have finished growing. Examples: corn, pea, cauliflower, or pea. Learn More.
• Biannuals: they are those that live two years or a little less. They usually have a rapid growth during the first year, since it is the one they dedicate to reaching their final size, but the second they dedicate to flowering and producing fruits. Thus, depending on the species, they can grow at a rate of 5 to 15 centimeters / month. Examples: parsley, spinach, carrot.
• Vivacious or perennial: are those herbaceous plants (also bulbous) that live for more than two years, and that once they begin to bloom they continue to do so season after season. Therefore, they have a longer growth time. Its rate is about 10 centimeters per month on average. Examples: gazania, dimorfoteca, tulips, daffodils. Learn More.
• Palms: Palm trees are a type of giant grass called megaforbia, but this should not be misleading, since although there are many species that grow at a good rate, such as the Washingtonia that can measure 1 meter more each year, there are many more those with a slower pace. For example, him Syagrus romanzoffiana grows about 50 centimeters / year, those of the genus Butia about 20 centimeters / year, Rhopalostylis or Arenga about 5 to 10 centimeters / year, etc. Learn More.
• Trees and shrubs: it depends a lot on the species. For example, the trick trick or Delonix direction They can grow about 40cm / year, but many conifers, such as sequoia, yews, or pines, grow at a slower rate (about 10-20cm / year). Learn More.

Can the growth rate be modified?

Yes of course. In fact, it is something we do constantly. Whether we are growing a plant native to cold or warm climates, if the conditions in our garden are very different, its growth rate will be accelerated or slowed down. Although not only the climate influences the growth, also the crop.

Thus, if they are regularly fertilized throughout the season, and if it is also in a fertile and well-drained substrate with fertilizers that are rich in macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and containing micronutrients (as calcium, boron, iron, manganese, etc.), we can be sure that these species will grow faster of what they would do in habitat. Of course, we cannot expect a tree to grow two meters in a year, but perhaps its good 20-30cm.

5 fast growing plants for garden

There are many plants that grow fast, but if you want to know their names and their care, now is the time to talk about it:

Black bamboo

The black bamboo, whose scientific name is Phyllostachys nigraIt is a species that reaches 8 meters in height, ideal to have in large gardens. Its stems are black, and measure up to 20 centimeters in diameter. It has elongated green leaves with a length of 5-10 centimeters. If you have water at your disposal, can grow up to half a meter per year. Resists up to -18ºC.

Rattan

The cane of the Indies, whose scientific name is cane indicatesis a perennial rhizomatous plant that measures up to 1 meter in height, and that can spread more or less the same throughout the garden. It is grown mainly for its flowers, which are yellow, orange or reddish; although it must be said that there are some cultivars with magnificent, purple leaves. Its growth rate is fast, about 20cm / month. It resists up to -4ºC, but if it drops below 0 degrees its leaves suffer damage, and at -2ºC they can end up completely dry.

Dimorphotheque

The dimorfoteca (of the genus dimorphoteca), is a perennial herb characterized by having green leaves of approximately one centimeter, and by producing daisy-shaped flowers of various colors, although white and lilac are the most common. It is difficult for him to exceed 50 centimeters in height, but he does you have to give it space as it extends to almost one meter … in a single year! Withstands frosts down to -4ºC.

Wisteria

Wisteria (Wisteria) is a deciduous climber up to 30 meters high. Its leaves are compound, pinnate and with green pinnae or leaflets. During the spring it produces numerous clusters of hanging lilac or white flowers that make the place look very pretty. Of course, it needs support; but otherwise you have to know that can grow at a rate of 40cm / year, or more. It is not at all impressive: it holds up to -20ºC.

Washington

If there is a genus of palm trees that grow fast, it is undoubtedly that of the washingtonia. They can reach 20 meters in height in just 20 to 25 yearsso that it could almost be said that they are the ferraris of the palm trees. Its leaves are green and fan-shaped, and the trunk thickens to a maximum diameter of one meter (and only in the Washingtonia will spin; The W. robust it has it considerably thinner). They support up to -7ºC, but prefer warm climates.

What do you think of this topic? Did you know that there were some plants that grew so fast?