Plant Life Cycle

Seeds

The cycle of life for most annual and biennial plants starts with a seed. The seed is the embryo of the new plant, and it is protected and nourished by a seed coat.

Seeds come in a number of sizes and shapes, from tiny specks to large pits. The shell coating may be thin as tissue or thick and hard.

The seed remains dormant until the proper growing conditions are provided. Some can remain dormant and viable for years.

In nature, these seeds are dispersed by the wind and birds that carry them.

Seeds are the first and last steps in the plant life cycle, starting with a seed and continuing the cycle with the next set of seeds.

Many perennial plants are started with bulbs, crowns or tubers. These are special structures that the plant uses to start and continue the perennial plant life cycle.

Germination

The seed will have a specific set of requirements to germinate. Although soil and light may be necessary for the germinated seed to grow, water is the first thing needed to start the process.

As the seed absorbs water it starts to swell. As this swelling continues, the seed coat breaks.

The root of the plant starts to grow down into the soil. This root anchors the new plant and allows the plant to draw water and nutrients from the soil.

The shoot from the seed grows upward through the soil, reaching for light.

Sprouts

Once the shoot breaks through the surface of the soil it is a sprout. The sprout becomes green from chlorophyll. It develops a set of first leaves, and is now a seedling.

Seedlings

Through the process of photosynthesis, where plants convert energy from light into food, the seedling grows stronger, developing more leaves and growing into a full-sized plant.

During this process, it is important that adequate water and soil are provided for healthy plant development.

Buds

Eventually, the plant will produce buds, which will become flowers and possibly fruit or vegetables.

By attracting pollinators such as birds and bees that feed on it, the plant is fertilized, creating new seeds and starting the process all over.

The plant life cycle has been repeated innumerable times throughout the life of the planet.

By protecting and maintaining a healthy environment for plants and their pollinators, we help continue the cycle of life.

More Plants Info

How Do Plants Grow
Plants have a very complex internal system that supports them throughout their life cycle, allowing them to reach their mature potential and continue the cycle of life and growth.

Parts of a Flower
We look at the parts of a flower and see a complex design and form. Each variety of flower has its own form to attract birds and insects for the process of pollination and continuing the plant's cycle of life.

Parts of a Plant
The complex systems that make up every plant can be broken down into these few basic parts of a plant. All plants contain roots, stems, branches, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. These are the basic parts of a plant, and each part plays a specific role in the growth cycle of the plant.

Plant Growth Factors
These basic plant growth factors all contribute to the health and vitality of plants. A shortage of any one can result in weak, unproductive plants