Plants require water to survive, just like humans and animals. When plants don’t get enough water, they show signs of distress. But do plants actually cry when they are thirsty?
Do plants have feelings?
Plants do not have brains or central nervous systems like humans and animals. They lack the anatomical structures needed for emotions like happiness, sadness, pain or distress. Plants don’t have tear ducts and cannot produce tears when stressed.
However, plants can sense and respond to their environment. They go through physiological and chemical changes when stressed, which allow them to adapt and survive. So while plants don’t experience emotions, they react to their circumstances.
How do plants respond to drought?
When plants experience drought, they go through a range of visible changes and internal processes to reduce water loss and improve water uptake.
Some responses of plants to drought stress include:
- Closing stomata on leaves to reduce transpiration.
- Shedding leaves to reduce surface area and water loss.
- Growing deeper roots to absorb water from deeper soil.
- Producing abscisic acid, which is a stress hormone.
- Wilting and drooping of stems and leaves.
- Curling of leaves to expose less surface area.
- Changing metabolism to preserve water.
- Going dormant until water is available.
These changes allow the plant to survive periods of low water availability. The responses vary between plant species, but facilitate water conservation.
Do stressed plants release any liquid?
Plants do not release liquid tears when stressed or thirsty. However, some plants exude water through small openings on leaves called hydathodes.
Guttation is the process where drops of xylem sap emerge from hydathodes. It occurs when the roots absorb more water than the leaves can transpire. Common garden plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries exhibit guttation.
Guttation fluid contains water, minerals, sugars, and amino acids. It isn’t linked with distress and happens even in well-watered plants. So while liquid droplets may form on leaves, plants do not cry.
Responses of different plants to drought stress
The responses of plants to drought stress depends on the species and age of the plant. Here are some examples:
| Plant | Responses to drought |
|---|---|
| Cacti and succulents | Use water-storing tissues to survive long periods of drought. Reduce transpiration and photosynthesis during water scarcity. |
| Annual crops (corn, rice, etc.) | Shed leaves and close stomata to reduce water loss. Maintain cell turgor by osmotic adjustment. Sensitive to water deficit and may die. |
| Perennial trees | Close stomata and drop leaves to reduce water loss. Slow growth rate and direct resources to maintain vital processes. |
| Grasses | Develop deeper, thicker roots and dormant seed to withstand drought. Leaves roll and fold to limit water loss. |
| Moss | Turn brown and become crisp but rehydrate and revive when watered. Reduce photosynthesis and go dormant. |
These examples illustrate that plants have diverse adaptations to survive low water levels. The responses aim to conserve water and resume growth after drought recovery.
Do houseplants cry when thirsty?
Houseplants use similar strategies as other plants to deal with drought stress. Common houseplants show these visible signs when thirsty:
- Wilting and drooping leaves
- Leaf scorching and browning
- Shedding leaves
- Buds and new growth drying up
- Dull, lifeless foliage
While these signs indicate the plant needs water, houseplants do not produce liquid or cry. The leaves may feel limp, but no tears are shed. The plants try to conserve water by minimizing transpiration until watered again.
Conclusion
Plants require water to conduct their vital functions and survive. When plants experience drought stress, they undergo physiological and structural changes to reduce water loss. Although plants do not have feelings, weeping, or tears, they show visible signs of distress when thirsty. The responses of plants to drought help them endure periods of water shortage and revive when water is available again.