Plants are everywhere around us. In this activity, you learn how a plant grows from a tiny seed to
a big plant! Throughout the course of its growth over 30 days, you will see various changes taking
place. The seeds disappear, the size of the plant keeps changing as it grows bigger and bigger.
Initially, only 2 or 3 tiny leaves emerge from the newly germinated seeds but later on the leaves
increase in size and their numbers. You will also see that the delicate stems become longer, thicker
and stronger as the plant grows! But have you ever wondered how and why a plant grows? There
are many things needed for growth of a plant such as water, air, nutrients, light, temperature, time
and space. Let us understand how these are important!

Water and nutrients: Like humans and animals, plants need both water and food to survive.

Most of the plants use water to carry moisture and nutrients back and forth between the roots and
leaves. Both of them are normally taken up through the roots from the soil. This is why soil need to
watered when it becomes dry. Fertilizer is a major thing to enhance the growth of a plant. It is made
up of special chemicals that provide additional nutrients to the plants. It is usually given to them
when watering. The most important nutrients for the growth of a plant are Nitrogen (N), necessary
for formation of green leaves, Phosphorus (P), helps to make big flowers and strong roots and
Potassium (K) helps the plant to fight off diseases. Too much or too little water or food can harm
the plant.

Air and soil: Fresh clean air and healthy soil are two major factors that help the growth of a plant besides water and food. Dirty air caused by smoke, gases and other pollution causing factors can be harmful for plants. These things can limit their ability to take in carbon dioxide from the air. It can also block out sunlight which is also necessary for healthy plant growth. Healthy soil is absolutely necessary for plants. Soil provides stability to the plant as well.

Light and Temperature: Sunlight is also needed to grow a plant. Light is a very important factor for making food. Too little light can make plants weak, excessively long and straggly. They will also
have fewer flowers and fruits. Temperature is important too. Most plants prefer cooler night time
temperature and warmer daytime temperature. Too hot, they may burn and too cold and they will
freeze.

Space and time: Space is yet another factor to consider when growing plants. Both the roots and
leaves need room to grow. Without enough space, plants can become stunted or too small. Plants without enough space are also more likely to suffer from diseases since airflow may be limited. Time is also a major factor in the process of growing plants. They do not grow overnight. It takes time and patience to grow plants, some more so than others.