Plant Life Cycles

Plants have their own life cycles. Most plants start as seeds. The seed sprouts and grows roots and stems. The plant makes leaves, then flowers, and finally new seeds. Those seeds can grow into new plants.

From Seed to Sprout

A seed holds a tiny baby plant inside it. When the seed gets water, warmth, and air, it begins to sprout. This is called germination. A small root pushes down into the soil. Then a tiny stem pushes up toward the light.

Flowers and Seeds

When a plant is fully grown, it may produce flowers. Flowers make pollen and attract pollinators like bees. After pollination, the flower develops seeds. The seeds spread to new places by wind, water, or animals. Each seed can grow into a brand new plant.

Fun Facts

• The fastest-growing plant is bamboo, which can grow up to 35 inches in a single day.
• Some seeds can stay dormant in the soil for hundreds of years before sprouting.
• A sunflower can produce up to 2,000 seeds in one flower head.

Did You Know?

Scientists grew a plant from a 2,000-year-old seed found near the Dead Sea. The ancient date palm seed still had enough life inside to sprout!