The Life Cycle of Plants
A gentle plant life cycle lesson for ages 4-6: from seed to sprout to flower and back to seed, what seeds need to grow, with a fun bean-planting activity to watch.
Key takeaways
- A plant starts its life as a tiny seed.
- Seeds need water, warmth and soil to start growing.
- A seed sprouts, grows roots and a stem, and becomes a plant with leaves and flowers.
- Flowers make new seeds, and the whole cycle begins again.
It all starts with a seed
Have you ever held a tiny seed in your hand? It is small. It looks like it is sleeping. But inside that little seed, a brand new plant is waiting to grow!
A seed is the start of a plant's life. Big trees, pretty flowers and tasty vegetables all begin as a seed. Isn't that amazing? Something so small can grow into something so big.
What does a seed need?
A seed cannot grow all by itself. It needs a little help. A seed needs three things to wake up:
- Water — a drink to help it grow.
- Warmth — a cozy, not-too-cold place.
- Soil — a soft bed to grow in.
When the seed gets water and warmth, it starts to grow. We say it begins to sprout.
Watch the plant grow
Let us follow a seed step by step.
First, the seed sprouts. A tiny root grows down into the soil. The root drinks water. It holds the plant still.
Next, a little green stem grows up towards the light. Up, up, out of the soil it pops! Soon, small leaves open out. The leaves catch the sunlight to help the plant make food and grow strong.
The plant grows taller and taller. Then it grows pretty flowers.
Round and round again
Here is the best part. The flowers have a special job. They make new seeds!
When the flower's job is done, the new seeds are ready. The seeds may fall to the ground. The wind may blow them away. An animal may carry them. Then, if a seed lands in good soil with water and warmth — it starts to grow all over again!
This is called a life cycle. It goes round and round, like a circle:
seed → sprout → plant → flower → new seed → seed again
A plant grows, makes seeds, and those seeds grow into new plants. The cycle never stops.
Grow your own plant!
You can watch a seed grow with your very own eyes. A bean seed is big and grows fast.
- Put some damp cotton wool or paper towel into a clear cup or jar.
- Pop a bean seed down the side, so you can see it through the glass.
- Keep the cotton wool damp, not too wet. Put the cup on a sunny windowsill.
- Look every day. What can you see?
In a few days, a little root will grow down. Then a green shoot will grow up! Draw a picture each day. You will have your own little plant diary.
Be patient and gentle. Plants grow slowly, but it is so exciting to watch!
Want to learn more about plants? See Parts of a Plant to find out what each part does, and Trees Through the Year to watch how big plants change with the seasons.
Quick quiz
Test yourself and earn XP
What does a plant grow from at the start?
Every plant begins life as a tiny seed.
What do seeds need to start growing?
Seeds need water, warmth and soil to wake up and grow.
What grows down into the soil first?
Tiny roots grow down first to drink water and hold the plant still.
What makes the new seeds so the cycle can start again?
Flowers make new seeds, and those seeds can grow into new plants.
FAQ
It depends on the plant. A fast bean seed can sprout in about a week, while a tree takes many years to grow tall. Watching a bean grow is a great way for young children to see the cycle quickly.
Most of the plants children see, like daisies and apple trees, make flowers that turn into seeds or fruit. A few plants, like ferns and pine trees, make new plants in different ways, but flowers and seeds are the most common story to start with.
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