Have you ever wondered what’s going on with your plants under the soil? The roots of a plant have serious work to do in terms of water absorption, communication, anchorage, support, and more. Today, we’re digging into it and getting to the bottom of the roots mystery.

Types of roots

There are many types of root classifications but the most commonly found types can be sorted into three categories: taproot, fibrous, and adventitious.

• Taproot system sprouts secondary roots from one strong main root (e.g. carrots and beets)

• Fibrous roots begin the same way as taproots but continue to grow from the stem tissue underground creating a bushier network (e.g. grasses)

• Adventitious roots grow straight from the stem tissue (e.g. aerial roots that sprout from monstera)

What do plant roots do?

The roots of a plant absorb water and nutrients, store nutrients, provide structural support for plants and surrounding soil, and can even serve the purpose of multiplication in some cases. They also absorb oxygen and soluble nutrients through water which is why it’s important to pay attention to how you home a plant and what kind of feeding and watering you’re doing.

How do roots grow?

Using hormones, roots send and receive important signals to and from the rest of the plant that determine whether or not to promote or halt growth.

For example, auxins and cytokinins are two types of hormones that are used for communication between the upper and lower parts of a plant. When the upper part is happy, it produces a lot of auxins which signal to the roots that things above are good so they can produce more roots. The cytokinins are the opposite and will signal to the branches that they have the support of the roots, meaning more branches can be produced.

Common mistakes & remedies

• Understanding how a plant works can help you better meet its needs. Here are some ways knowledge of plant roots can improve your plant care.

• Roots need oxygen. Avoid using stale water to water your plants. Always use fresh, oxygenated water.

• Roots and branches communicate with each other. A problem above may signal a problem below. Check on your roots and read more about how to plant and repot plants here.

• Roots provide support and anchorage for plants. Be wary of loose soil, and avoid toppling by providing support to your plant where needed.