Do Plants Have A Lifespan?

We have often heard of some plants that have lived for thousands of years. They have survived the test of plants, but can all plants do the same? It makes us wonder if plants are immortal and everlasting. Yet, we see so many plants in our garden that have a short lifespan and die very soon.

So, do plants have a lifespan?

No, plants don’t have a lifetime. Theoretically, the plants have no lifespan and are expected to keep living under perfect conditions. However, the real conditions are different from books and the environmental conditions and factors change from time to time. An imbalance or inadequacy of these factors may kill your plant. So, it is very important to ensure that the factors are well balanced.

Factors that ensure survival of a plant

So, let us explore the factors which ensure the healthy survival of your plant –

  • Soil
  • Nutrition
  • Sunlight
  • Water

Soil

Different types of plants require different soil to thrive. While some prefer sandy, porous soil, others like clayey soil. It is important to provide the plant with the ideal type of soil to ensure that the plant grows well.

Generally, plants prefer well-drained soil. So, always use a pot with proper drainage holes to ensure that no stagnant water is left behind.

Nutrition

Every plant requires adequate nutrition to survive and stay healthy. Lack of nutrition may cause the plant to weaken and be prone to pests and fungal infections.

So, if you see your plant starting to droop or weaken, it is important to supply it with fertilizers and manure to ensure that the plant receives adequate nutrients and grows well.

Sunlight

All plants grow towards the light. So, if there is a lack of light, the plant will start to etiolate.

Etiolation essentially is when the plant grows faster than it usually does to obtain the required light. The etiolated shoots and stems are weaker than the normal ones. It happens when the plant is grown in the excess shade for a long duration.

To heal the plant, immediately shift it to a location where it receives adequate but indirect sunlight.

Excess sunlight too can cause serious sunburns. Sunburn causes irreversible damage to the plant tissues. So, it is better to prevent sunburn than to cure it. The best way to do so is to avoid placing it under direct sun, especially on days of extreme heat.

Water

The right amount of water is essential to ensure that the plant remains strong and healthy. Both underwatering and overwatering may severely damage your plant and cause it to weaken.

While underwatered plants tend to dry up, overwatered plants start rotting. Generally, watering it once every week is sufficient.

However, some plants enter dormancy in winter, and their water requirements decrease. So, watering them once every month is sufficient.

Thus, plants do not have a specific lifespan , but they usually perish due to a change in environmental factors. So, it is very important to keep these factors in mind to ensure that the plant has a long and healthy life.

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