By Blake Jackson
Green houseplants do more than brighten indoor spaces during winter - they are living systems carrying out complex processes that depend on a few essential inputs. According to Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, healthy plant growth begins below the surface with roots and soil, unless plants are grown hydroponically.
Roots absorb water from the soil with the help of tiny root hairs. Once inside the plant, water moves upward through xylem tissue, a network of hollow tubes that runs from roots to stems and leaves. Water naturally travels from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration.
As moisture evaporates from leaves through small openings called stomata, more water is pulled upward from the roots. This continuous flow supports turgor pressure, which keeps cells firm and upright. Without adequate moisture, cells shrink and plants wilt. Water also plays a central role in photosynthesis and carries dissolved nutrients throughout the plant.
Photosynthesis occurs in leaves, where chlorophyll captures light energy and converts it into chemical energy. Carbon dioxide enters through stomata, and water supplies hydrogen needed to produce sugars. These sugars fuel growth and maintenance, while oxygen is released back into the air.
Sugars move from leaves to the rest of the plant through phloem tissue, working alongside xylem as part of the vascular system. Plants carefully regulate energy use, shedding older leaves or slowing growth when conditions are unfavorable.
To keep houseplants thriving, provide appropriate light, water, and nutrients. Clean dust from leaves to improve light absorption and even talking nearby adds carbon dioxide that supports photosynthesis.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-johnbraid
Categories: Wisconsin, General