Provided are a method of growing carbon nanotubes and a carbon nanotube device. The method includes: depositing an aluminum layer on a substrate; forming an insulating layer over the substrate to cover the aluminum layer; patterning the insulating layer and the aluminum layer on the substrate to expose a side of the aluminum layer; forming a plurality of holes in the exposed side of the aluminum layer to a predetermined depth; depositing a catalyst metal layer on the bottoms of the holes; and growing the carbon nanotubes from the catalyst metal layer.