What a plant actually needs

Students will

• Name the five things a plant needs: light, water, air, nutrients, and the right warmth.
• Explain that a plant makes its own sugar in its leaves.
• Explain that soil is not on the list, because roots can find water and nutrients elsewhere.

New words

nutrients

Tiny bits of plant food that roots take in with water.

Talk about it

Look at your own family's shopping list. Which things do you truly need, and which could you do without?

Check questions and answers

1. Which of these is on a plant's shopping list?

   • Light (answer) Right. Leaves use light to make their own sugar.
   • Soil Not quite. Plants can grow without soil. Think about what shines on leaves.
   • Candy Not quite. Plants make their own sugar. Think about what shines on leaves.

2. Where does a plant get its sugar?

   • It makes sugar in its leaves (answer) Right. Leaves use light, air, and water to make it.
   • It pulls sugar out of the soil Not quite. Soil has no sugar to give. Look up at the leaves.
   • Someone has to feed it sugar Not quite. Nobody feeds it sugar. Look up at the leaves.

3. A plant gets light, air, water, and warmth. It gets no nutrients. What happens?

   • It grows slowly and looks pale (answer) Right. Without nutrients, it can't build healthy new parts.
   • It grows faster than before Not quite. Something on its list is missing. What could that do?
   • Nothing changes at all Not quite. Every item on the list matters. Which one is gone?