How Plants Grow
by Ron Cornwell
Horticulture Educator
University of Illinois Extension
To really understand plant growth, you need to
view plants as three separate components: roots,
stems and leaves. The information that follows
provides a basic explanation of how these
three parts work together.
Roots
There are two types of root systems:
fibrous and taproot.
A fibrous root system has many roots of the same
size. This type of system does not develop a large
single root. A good example of a plant that has a
fibrous root system is grass.
A taproot system has a single or a few large roots
that reach deeper into the soil than a fibrous root
system. These large roots often have root hairs,
which are small, fine hair-like roots. An example of a
plant with a taproot system is a white oak tree or a
carrot from the vegetable garden.
How Roots Function
Roots have four important functions. A root system:
• Anchors the plant
• Absorbs water and mineral nutrients
• Stores food
• Can be a reproductive organ
Water and minerals enter the root system of a plant
through root hairs or directly through the epidermis
of the root.
The tip of the root is covered by a root cap that
protects the apical meristem as the root grows
through the soil. Behind the root cap is the region
of cell division, followed by the region of cell
elongation, and finally the region of cell maturation.
In the cell division region, the function of the cells is
to increase their numbers by dividing. Once the cells
divide, they start to elongate – or increase in length.
As these cells expand, they push the root cap and the
apical meristem through the soil. It is in this cell
elongation region where the growth of the root is
centered. The region of cell maturation is where the
root hairs develop.
Stems
Stems are also important to the plant. They:
• Support buds and leaves
• Provide a structure for the vascular system
• Function as storage areas as food is manufactured
during photosynthesis
• Can be used for vegetative propagation
How Stems Function
A plant stem contains two kinds of cells:
xylem cells and phloem cells.
Xylem cells form the plant pipeline that moves water
and nutrients from the soil to the upper part of the
plant. New xylem cells are formed on the inner side
of the cambium layer. As the old cells become
plugged up, they become part of the heartwood of the
tree or plant.
Phloem cells form the
pipeline that moves sugars
and other elements down-
ward in the plant, or back
and forth from leaves, stems
and roots as needed.
The phloem cells develop
on the outside of the cam-
bium. As the old cells plug
up, they become part of the
bark of the tree or the outer
surface of
the plant stem.
Leaves Transpiration
The cooling process that
The main function of leaves is to absorb sunlight. occurs in plants is called
The leaf has a flat surface that provides a large area transpiration. Through
for the absorption of light energy from the sun. this process, a plant loses
Three important processes occur in leaves: water through leaf
photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration. openings called stomata.
These processes impact the growth and general Transpiration is
health of the plant. necessary for:
• Minerals to be
Photosynthesis transported from the
In order for a plant to grow, it needs sun, carbon soil to plant parts
dioxide, oxygen from the atmosphere, and chemical • Leaf and stem tissues to
elements and water from the soil. In the process of cool through evaporation
photosynthesis, carbon dioxide and water – in the • Moving sugars and
presence of chlorophyll and light energy – are plant chemicals
converted to sugar. Then, oxygen is given off as
• Maintaining turgor
a by-product.
pressure in the plant
Generally, as sunlight increases in intensity,
The amount of water lost
photosynthesis increases. This means greater food
from the plant depends
production within the plant. Many garden vegetables
on several environmental
like tomatoes respond best to maximum sunlight.
factors such as humidity,
Production is drastically cut when tomatoes are
temperature, and wind.
planted in the shade; this is because photosynthesis
As temperature and air
in the plant has been drastically reduced.
movement increase, so
does the water loss from
Respiration the plant.
Respiration is basically the reverse of photosynthesis.
Respiration is the process where sugars and starches
stored in the plant are converted to energy; this
energy enables the plant to continue to grow and
survive. A by-product of respiration is the emitting
of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air.

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

University of Illinois Extension • U.S. Department of Agriculture • Local Extension Councils Cooperating
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.