Biomass Plants
High-yielding plants for compost, mulch, and organic matter production
What Are Biomass Plants?
Biomass plants are fast-growing, high-yielding species that produce large quantities of organic matter for compost, mulch, animal bedding, or fuel. These plants are essential for building soil organic matter, creating mulch without importing materials, and cycling nutrients. Many can be cut multiple times per season, providing continuous supply of green material for composting.
Benefits
- Produces free mulch and compost material on-site
- Builds soil organic matter and carbon
- Provides animal bedding or fodder
- Some can be used for fuel (firewood, biochar)
- Cycles nutrients from deep in the soil to surface
- Creates habitat and food for beneficial organisms
Example Plants
Comfrey
Symphytum officinale
Champion biomass producer. Cut 4-5 times per season. High in potassium. Deep roots mine minerals. Compost activator. Fast decomposition.
Willow
Salix spp.
Fast-growing tree for coppicing. Produces poles, firewood, biochar. Flexible branches for crafts. Early bee forage. Tolerates wet sites.
Miscanthus
Miscanthus giganteus
Giant ornamental grass. Produces 10+ tons biomass per acre. Excellent mulch material. Can be used for biofuel, thatching, animal bedding. Perennial.
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Annual producing massive stalks and leaves. Edible seeds. Attracts pollinators and birds. Stalks for trellising or composting. Fast biomass production.
Tree Lucerne
Chamaecytisus palmensis
Nitrogen-fixing shrub. Cut repeatedly for mulch. High protein fodder for animals. Tolerates poor soils. Drought resistant. Fast regrowth.
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Implementation Tips
Plant biomass crops in dedicated areas or along edges
Cut before plants flower to maximize nutrient content
Use fresh green material for nitrogen-rich "hot" compost
Allow some material to dry for carbon-rich "brown" compost
Chop or shred woody material before composting
Combine different biomass plants for balanced C:N ratios
Consider coppicing trees on 3-7 year rotation for renewable wood
Ready to Explore More?
Discover the other 13 functional plant categories and build your regenerative garden.