What happens to plants when they don't get water?

Plants need water to live, just like people do. Water is taken in through the plant's roots and travels up the stem to the leaves. Without water, the plant's cells lose their fullness, so the leaves and stem start to droop and shrivel. This is called "wilting."

Water works like a carrier, moving nutrients around inside the plant. It also escapes as vapour through tiny holes in the leaves (called pores), which helps keep the plant cool. When the water runs out, these jobs stop, and the plant can no longer protect itself from the sun.

If a plant goes without water for a long time, its leaves turn yellow, then brown, and dry up. The roots grow weak too. If the plant gets water again in time, some plants can recover. But if it stays without water for too long, the plant dies completely.

That's why it's so important to water our flowers and pot plants regularly!