Spotlite: Do Plants Need Soil?

What do plants really need to grow? In this NASA Spotlite, a student producer explores the idea that plants can only grow in soil—and puts that idea to the test!

Using simple household items like a cup and cotton balls, the investigation shows that seeds can sprout without soil. Viewers learn that plants need water, light, air, and nutrients to grow. Soil can help by holding water and nutrients, but it isn’t the only way a plant can start growing.

Watch to see what happens. Try the activity yourself to discover how plants grow!