Science
How do plants grow?
Plants grow by making their own food through photosynthesis and pulling water and minerals from the soil. Using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, they build sugars for energy and new tissue, growing roots down and stems and leaves up.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how plant growth works.
Step by step
- 1Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil.
- 2Leaves capture sunlight and carbon dioxide.
- 3Photosynthesis turns these into sugars for energy and growth.
- 4Cells divide and expand, growing roots, stems, and leaves.
Frequently asked questions
- How do plants grow?
- They photosynthesize sunlight, water, and CO2 into sugars, and use those plus soil minerals to build new tissue.
- What do plants need to grow?
- Sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, nutrients from soil, and a suitable temperature.
- How do plants grow toward light?
- Growth hormones make cells on the shaded side elongate, bending the plant toward the light.