Overview

Cotton is a soft, fluffy natural fiber that develops around the seeds of plants of the Gossypium genus, commonly called the cotton plant. Individual cotton fibers are long and thin, superficially similar to human hair in shape. When fibers are harvested and processed they may be spun into yarn and woven or knitted into cloth. Cotton textiles are prized for comfort and breathability, and are widely used in clothing and household fabrics. Medical dressings and bandages commonly use cotton because of its softness and absorbency.

Botanical characteristics and fiber structure

Cotton plants belong to the mallow family and produce showy flowers related to garden plants such as the hibiscus. The fiber itself forms as a protective, seed-bearing structure: a seed is surrounded by a fluffy mass of cellulose fibers that aid wind dispersal. Fibers vary in length, fineness and strength across cultivars; these properties determine how the raw material will be processed and which end uses it suits best. All parts of a cotton plant have uses beyond fiber—seed oil and animal feed are common co-products, and the stalks may be used for compost or fuel.

Varieties, cultivation and geography

There are several cultivated species and many varieties selected for different climates and fiber qualities. Some wild Gossypium species grow in tropical and subtropical regions, but most commercial supply comes from managed crops on agricultural fields or larger plantations. Cotton is grown around the world; key producing regions include Africa, Asia, parts of Europe, Australia and the Americas. During cultivation, farmers select varieties by a process of selection to improve fiber length, pest resistance and yield, while irrigation and crop management influence the final quality.

History and industrial processing

Cotton is one of the oldest fibers used in human textiles, with archaeological evidence showing its use thousands of years ago in various regions. Historically, removing seeds from the fiber was slow and labor intensive. A mechanical device known as the cotton gin was developed to separate seeds from short-staple cotton rapidly, a change that transformed processing and expanded production during the Industrial Revolution. After ginning, fibers are cleaned, carded and aligned, then spun into yarn. Although a single cotton fiber is not extremely strong on its own, twisting many fibers together produces strong, uniform threads suitable for spinning, weaving and dyeing.

Common uses and examples

Cotton's comfort and breathability make it a dominant material for everyday garments and textiles. Typical uses include:

  • Apparel: shirts, jeans, underwear and summer clothing.
  • Home textiles: sheets, towels and curtains.
  • Medical supplies: absorbent pads and bandages.
  • Industrial: filters, ropes and specialty papers derived from cotton linters.

Because cotton is naturally absorbent, it is preferred where moisture management is important. The fiber can be dyed in a wide range of colors and blended with other fibers to combine desirable properties.

Environmental, economic and notable facts

Cotton production supports livelihoods across many countries, but it also raises environmental and social questions. Conventional cotton farming can be water- and pesticide-intensive, prompting the development of more sustainable practices such as organic cultivation, integrated pest management and water-saving techniques. Varieties with longer, smoother fibers—sometimes referred to as New World or extra-long staple cottons—often command higher prices because they produce finer yarns and softer fabrics than shorter-staple types. For further reading and resources, see the linked entries below.

Related topics and resources: natural fiber, seeds, cotton plant, fiber shape, spinning, textiles, medical cotton, crop management, plantations, Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, Americas, absorbency, mallows, selective breeding, cotton gin.