How do Seeds Grow into Plants

How do seeds grow into plants is a wonderful lesson for young learners. As trees and flowers begin to bloom, children observe the changes in nature.

What a great opportunity to teach about how seeds germinate, how plants grow, and the life cycles of plants. In this lesson, you will learn about seed germination, how seeds grow into plants, care tips, and best practices when starting seeds. 

Basics of Seed Germination

Seed germination is the biological process of seeds maturing, under the right conditions, into plants. There are several steps for seed germination.

• First, when the seed has enough moisture or water content, the radicle in the seed begins to emerge.
• The radicle generates the first roots that push into the soil or material.
• Then, the seed coat softens to allow the hypocotyl to rise and carry the cotyledon to the surface.
• The cotyledon has the initial leaves that the plant needs to make photosynthesis.
• As the seed uptakes more water and oxygen under the right temperature and light, the true leaves and stem grow.
• Eventually, the cotyledon falls off and the plant continues to grow roots and stem.

In general, seeds require the right conditions to emerge from dormancy. Seeds need oxygen, water, the right temperature, and sometimes light to germinate.

Seeds vary in size too. Many seeds are oval-shaped, round, very tiny, elongated, and vary in color.

Most importantly, starter seeds need constant moisture for the radicle to emerge from the seed coat to germinate. Once the seed turns into a young plant, it will develop stem, true leaves, flowers (if needed) and fruit. 

How Seeds Grow Into Plants

Seed germination occurs under the right conditions. To better understand those conditions, you can use a model of seed germination using very simple materials.

In this lesson, you will use red kidney beans as the starter seed. Of course, you can use other types of seeds.

For greater success, use seeds with a fast germination rate such as legume seeds. Legume seeds generally germinate between 7 to 14 days. 

Materials

• Variety of organic seeds, preferred (Lima beans, red kidney beans, navy beans)
• Plastic cups, transparent 
• Styrofoam cups
• Packaging transparent tape
• Absorbent paper towels
• Water sprayer
• Plastic trays or paper plates
• Safety scissors 
• Ruler
• Pencil
• FREE Parts of a Plant Printable (find it in the Free Resources – Summer section)

Instructions Using Plastic Containers

1. Wash your containers thoroughly with warm, soapy water. 
2. Allow the containers to air-dry or dry with a clean paper towel. 
3. Cut pieces of clean paper towels according to the size of your containers. 
4. Place the paper towel pieces inside the containers. 
5. Using a spray bottle with water, gently spray the paper towels until they are moist. 
6. Next, place the seeds between the paper towel and the walls of the container. 
7. Make sure you can see the seed from the outside of the container.
8. Gently press the paper towel to secure the seeds. 
9. Spray the paper towel again if it feels dry. 
10. Place a small piece of plastic wrap or lid on top of the container. 
11. If using various different seeds, label your container with name, date, and type of seed. 
12. Place your seed starter container in a warm area. 
13. Once you begin to see the first leaves, move your container to a sunny, warm location. 
14. Use the FREE graphic organizer to keep track of the seeds in the SUMMER SECTION. 

Optional: you can soak the seeds overnight by placing them into a small container with water; submerge the seeds until they are covered with water; the next day remove the water and place the seeds on a paper plate or back into the container without water. 

Grab the FREE Parts of a Plant Printable (Summer Section)

Using Styrofoam Cups for Seed Germination

1. Start with a clean styrofoam cup. 
2. Cut a small opening in the middle of the cup. 
3. Place packaging tape on the inside and outside of the container to create a viewable window. 
4. Or, you can create a transparent window using sturdy or construction paper. 
5. See the How to Make Sun-Catchers for Kids on how to create this see-through window. 
6. Repeat steps 3-14 from the Plastic Container Seed Germination. 

Parts of a Plant after Seed Germination

Seed germination is the beginning of how plants grow. After germination, young seedlings develop stems, leaves, flowers, and fruit. However, not all plants produce flowers and fruits.

• The stems are the support systems for the plant to continue growing and withstand winds.
• From the stems, branches and new true leaves begin to develop.
• The leaves function as storage units ready to generate photosynthesis.
• Photosynthesis is the process of using sunlight and carbon dioxide gas from the air to make sugars for the plant.
• Many plants have flowers of various colors and shapes.
• Flowers are useful parts of a plant used by pollinators like bees.
• Once pollinators come to the flower, a fruit may form.
• Another part of the plant that is very helpful are the roots.
• Roots are the anchor of plants that absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
• Special vessels inside the stem carry these nutrients to the leaves, flowers, and fruits. 

Grab the FREE Seed Germination Graphic Organizer.

Seedling Care Tips for Kids

At the beginning of seed germination, you want to make sure seeds have enough water or moisture in your containers. For example, you can use a water mister with a soft spray.

Remember that the seeds are beginning to emerge and they are delicate. Next, cover your containers with small pieces of plastic to retain moisture and leave a small opening to allow air into the container.

Also, make sure the seeds are at room ambient temperature. Remember that most seeds do not require light to germinate.

So, you do not have to place them near a sunny window until the first initial leaves emerge. Most legume seeds do not need light to germinate.

After you see the first leaves, place them near a sunny windowsill or in a warm, sunny location. Try not to place the young seedling in direct sunlight. Young plants need early morning sun to begin to grow. 

Best Practices in Choosing Your Containers

When choosing the best containers for seed germination, you might want to use plastic or styrofoam containers. Plastic transparent containers can provide you with the best option for young children.

That is, plastic containers are durable and will not break when dropped. Just make sure to thoroughly wash with warm soapy water and allow it to air-dry before you begin this lesson.

Styrofoam containers are also a good choice for starting seed germination. Styrofoam like plastic containers will not break and are lightweight to hold by little hands.

However, you might not find transparent styrofoam containers to see the growth of roots. So, you can make a small window as shown in this lesson to see how roots grow. 

Summary

Seed germination is a wonderful topic for young children to learn about seeds, plants, and life cycles. Using simple materials, young children can discover how seeds begin the process of germination.

While best practices and useful tips to handle these young seedlings, children can learn more about plants, flowers, and other science processes.