Plants are living things
Like animals, plants are alive and they grow. But plants cannot walk to find food. They must get what they need from the place where they grow. There are four main things every plant needs.
The four needs
- Water — plants drink water through their roots.
- Sunlight — plants use light to make their own food.
- Air — the leaves take in air.
- Space — plants need room to spread their roots and leaves.
Key idea
A plant needs water, sunlight, air and space to grow well.
What happens without them
If a plant does not get water, it will dry up. Without sunlight, it turns pale and weak. Without air, it cannot stay healthy. Without space, plants grow too close and cannot get enough of the other things. When a plant gets all four needs, it grows green and strong. That is why a gardener waters the plants and grows them in a sunny, open place.