Grade 3 · Growth and Changes in Plants · Plant Basics · Lesson 1
What Plants Need
Like all living things, plants need the right conditions to survive and grow.
Six basic needs
A healthy place to grow
Different plants need different amounts, but every plant depends on these six things.
- Air
- Plants exchange gases with the air around them.
- Water
- Roots absorb water and move it through the plant.
- Light
- Most plants use sunlight as their energy source.
- Heat
- A suitable temperature helps plant processes work.
- Nutrients
- Minerals from soil help plants build and repair tissues.
- Space
- Roots and stems need room to spread and reach resources.
When conditions change
Too little or too much can be harmful
- Too little water can make leaves wilt and dry out.
- Too much water can leave roots without enough air.
- Too little space makes plants compete for light, water, and nutrients.