Nature & Garden
How does a seed become a plant?
Puschel looks for a leaf and first finds a little root.
The short answer
A seed holds a tiny young plant and a food store. With water, air and suitable warmth, a bean seed begins to grow. A root may appear first, followed by a shoot and leaves.
See the connection
Simplified drawings, not to scale. Not a guide for identifying species.
An imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
Three pots stand on the garden table. Puschel peers into the first. Puschel“Our bean seems to have slept through gardening time.”
Flauschi points at a small tip in the second pot. Flauschi“It is growing already. That is a root. Growth does not always look like a leaf.”
Puschel studies the third pot with its young leaves. Puschel“So the plant starts with the basement before moving upstairs!”
Flauschi“That is a funny comparison. The root helps it take up water.” They leave the plants in their pots.
Puschel puts down the little watering can. They will look again over the next few days. No bean needs to hurry just because two Wusels are curious.
Discovery 1
A bean seed contains a tiny young plant and a store of food.
Source: [3]
Discovery 2
A bean needs water, air and suitable warmth to germinate. Germination means the young plant starts growing.
Source: [3]
Discovery 3
The root usually appears first, followed by a shoot and leaves. The shoot is the part of the young plant that grows upwards. The green plant needs light to make its own food.
Source: [3]
Little Wusel quiz
What does a bean need to germinate?
Choose one answer: a), b).
- a)Water, air and suitable warmth.
- b)Lots of light but no water.
Show answer
Correct answer: a): Water, air and suitable warmth. Water, air and suitable warmth. Later the green plant also needs light.
What usually emerges first from a germinating bean?
Choose one answer: a), b).
- a)A large leaf.
- b)A little root.
Show answer
Correct answer: b): A little root. A little root usually appears first.
Word help
- mineral
- Here, a mineral nutrient such as potassium. Plants usually absorb these nutrients dissolved in water; they are not ready-made sugar.
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
Understand step by step
How it works – simply explained
A beginning is inside
A bean seed already contains a tiny plant and supplies. Soil does not create its body from nothing.
Water starts growth
The seed absorbs water. Suitable warmth and air let it use reserves and begin growing. Excess water may reduce air access.
Roots and leaves take over
The root usually grows first, later absorbing water and minerals. Leaves use light to make food. Starting to germinate in darkness differs from needing light later.