How Do Plants Grow

Have you ever wondered how do plants grow? You must have seen them growing in your garden or neighborhood and their growth would have, probably, intrigued you in ways more than one. There are innumerable species of plants and all have their individual growing patterns. Plant growth also varies in terms of the length a particular plant may reach. However, the basic process of growth remains the same in all the plants in the world from the time the seed is planted. The article dwells at length on the growth process of a plant. Read on to know how do plants grow.

Any plant seed requires water to germinate. Water, basically, helps in breaking the coat of the seeds, which can be very hard in some of them. For example, Morning Glory seeds are known to have an extremely hard seed coat. These seeds need to be soaked in water before one plants them. The cells within the seed start multiplying, once it has been planted. Finally, the seedling bursts from the coat and continues to grow downward and upward. This process, usually, takes a few days.

The first leaves, known as cotyledons, are the primary things to be seen in a plant, once the seedling has come out of the seed coat. Usually, cotyledons are thicker than the following leaves. As the leaves begin to grow upwards, the shoot of the plant may also become visible.

While the shoot and cotyledons grow in the upward direction, growth is also registered in the taproot and smaller root hairs. Proper soil, water and other nutrients are essential for the plant to continue its growth. As long as the plant receives the proper nutrients that are required for a healthy growth, it can grow in most of the environments.

 

As the cells keep multiplying, the plant grows upward and outward. New leaves will appear on it, even as flowers also appear on some plants. Plants that receive proper nutrients grow to their full height and maturity. However, the height and maturity of the plant will also depend on the variety to which it belongs.

A plant will reproduce after it reaches maturity. Plants that are hermaphrodites (have both male and female reproductive systems) are more likely to reproduce. Separate male and female plants, which are close to each other, will also reproduce.