Seedlings

A seedling is a young plant that has germinated from a seed and begun to grow above the soil. It typically bears one or more cotyledons, the seed leaves, and the first true leaves that indicate the start of photosynthesis.

Germination requires suitable moisture, warmth, and oxygen. When conditions are met, the seed absorbs water, the embryo resumes growth, the radicle emerges to form the root system, and the shoot begins to rise. The cotyledons provide stored nutrients until photosynthesis proceeds and the plant can rely on its leaves for energy.

Seedlings vary in form, but most share a stem through which growth continues and a set of leaves that gradually replace the seed leaves. In dicots, the seedling usually has two cotyledons and true leaves; in monocots, there is one cotyledon and leaves that emerge as a sheath. The early structure supports rapid establishment of a photosynthetic shoot and an adequate root system.

Care and cultivation involve adequate light, appropriate temperature, and steady moisture without waterlogging. A well-drained, fertile medium supports root development and reduces disease risk, such as damping-off. Transplanting should occur after the seedling has developed a sturdy root system and true leaves, with gradual acclimation to outdoor conditions.

In horticulture and forestry, seedlings are raised in nurseries or gardens and later transplanted to their final location. They form the early life stage for many crops, trees, and ornamentals, laying the foundation for healthy mature plants.