Explore How Water Travels Through Leaves

Materials

• Leaves

• Scissors

• Clear cups

• Water

• Red food coloring

• Magnifying glass

• Leaf observation sheet (download here)

Directions

1. Take a walk outside & collect leaves.

2. Snip off the bottom of each leaf stem.

3. Place each leaf in a glass filled about a third of the way with water.

4. Add red food coloring to the water.

5. Observe the leaves closely. Use a magnifying glass if you have one.

6. Document your observations on this observation sheet.

What’s Happening?
Over the course of three days, you’ll notice the red food coloring traveling up the leaf. The colored water is moving through the xylem tubes of the leaf. The xylem tubes transport water and minerals from the roots through the entire plant.

adapted from Bug and Buddy