Plant Growth from Root and Shoot Tips

Plants grow throughout their lives, and that pattern is called indeterminate growth. This trait sets plants apart from most animals. Some plant parts stop growing, such as leaves and flowers, but roots and stems can keep growing for a long time.

Meristems make this ongoing growth possible. A meri...

Plants can grow throughout their lives, unlike most animals, which stop growing after reaching a certain age.

Plant growth begins in meristems, tissues that contain undifferentiated cells. These cells can either remain meristematic or differentiate into specialized tissues.

Vascular plants grow longer through primary growth, which le...