Find Out About Why Water is Important for Plants

Water is something that all living things need to stay healthy.

This is why if a plant is not getting enough water, and it's wilting, we water it. This helps the plant recover!

How? Plants take up water through their roots and lose water from their leaves.

There are tiny tubes running up the stem of the plant which carries water from the roots to the rest of the plant.

We might think that the more water you give a plant the more it will grow, but this is not true.

Like you, a plant needs to have just enough water, but not too much.

Some plants, like those that live on the edges of ponds and rivers, do well in wet conditions.

But for other plants, like this cactus, too much water can be as bad for their health as not enough water.

In cold weather, some plants lose their leaves to save water (like deciduous trees).
This is useful because in cold climates the ground may be icy. This makes it hard for plants to absorb (take in) any water.
As growing their leaves requires a lot of energy, plants in colder climates don't bother - there's not enough sunshine in winter!

In this activity, you will have a chance to find out how much you know about the importance of water for the health of a plant.

Don't panic, we will work through it together.

Enjoy it!