The growth kinetics of one-dimensional single-crystalline KNbO3 nanostructures (nanowires and nanofingers, the latter understood as defective nanowires) prepared by hydrothermal processing routes has been theoretically studied. A model taking into account the cube-based morphology of the nanostructures, their defects as the KOH proportion in the starting solution increases, and the partial depletion of species in the solution at the kink regions is proposed. Such a model allows the morphological evolution of the nanostructures to be successfully reproduced, shedding light on the origin of their highly anisotropic growth.