Comparison · crop
Fibre crops: cotton vs flax vs hemp vs jute
Compare natural fibre crops.
| Dimension | Cotton | Flax | Hemp | Jute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Fiber crop | Fiber crop | Fiber crop | Fiber crop |
| Scientific name | Gossypium hirsutum (upland cotton); Gossypium barbadense (extra-long-staple cotton, including Pima and Egyptian types) | Linum usitatissimum | Cannabis sativa | Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus capsularis |
| Botanical family | Malvaceae (mallow family) | Linaceae (flax family) | Cannabaceae (hemp family) | Malvaceae (mallow family) |
| Lifecycle | Annual | Annual | Annual | Annual |
| Common diseases | Fusarium Wilt | Fusarium Wilt, Powdery Mildew | Gray Mold, Fusarium Wilt | Anthracnose, Root Rot |
| Common pests | Aphids, Whiteflies, Spider Mites | Aphids, Flea Beetles | European Corn Borer, Aphids | Stem Borers, Aphids |
| Suitable soils | Clay Soil, Loam Soil | Loam Soil, Clay Soil | Loam Soil, Silt Soil | Alluvial Soil, Loam Soil |
Methodology
Descriptive dimensions (family, lifecycle, associated diseases/pests, soils) are read from each crop’s reference entry. No crop is ranked as “better”; agronomic outcomes are region- and system-specific.
Limitations
- Descriptive comparison only — not a yield, profitability, or suitability ranking.
- Associated diseases/pests and soils are typical, not exhaustive, and vary by region.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]FAO — Food and Agriculture Organization (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Type:
- Intergovernmental organization
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- Authoritative
- Type:
- Reference database
- Jurisdiction:
- United States
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12