Some bamboo plants can grow nearly 3 feet (91 cm) in just one day.

Bamboo is the world record holder for the fastest-growing plant. While most trees only grow from their top tips, bamboo has special growth zones at every single ring on its stalk. These zones are called intercalary meristems. Because every section grows at once, the plant shoots up toward the sky at incredible speeds.The species known as Moso bamboo is the most famous for this speed. It uses a massive underground root system called a rhizome to store up energy. When the growing season hits, the plant pumps water into its cells with high pressure. This pressure stretches the cell walls like a balloon being filled up, forcing the plant to expand.In some forests, the growth is so fast that you can actually hear the bamboo making popping or groaning sounds as it stretches. This speed is a clever survival trick. By racing to the top of the forest canopy, bamboo grabs all the sunlight before other plants can get in the way. Since it is a grass and not a tree, it doesn't have to waste time making thick wood, making it one of the most renewable resources on Earth.