 Microbial biomass growth is often thought to be driven by cellular application, but this study shows that microbes can also increase their biomass through the production of storage compounds such as triacylglycerols and polyhydroxybutyrates. This storage process allows microbes to decouple their metabolism from immediate resource availability, allowing them to respond more flexibly to changing environmental conditions. Under certain conditions, storage compound production can account for up to 96% of total biomass growth. This finding suggests that storage synthesis should be considered when assessing microbial community dynamics and how they respond to environmental stresses. This article was authored by Carl Mason-Janes, Andreas Breidenbach, Jens Dijkmans, and others.