The seeds obtained from a plant are usually very dry. In this dry state, the seeds can remain alive but inactive for long periods. They are said to be dormant. When a seed gets water, air and warmth, etc., it begins to grow. When a seed begins to grow, it is said to germinate.

Thus, the beginning of the growth of seeds is called germination of seeds. Germination begins when the seed absorbs water, swells and bursts through the seed coat. The water helps the enzymes to function in the seed. The enzymes digest the stored food in cotyledons and make it soluble. This soluble food makes the radicle and plumule present in the seed to grow.

The radicle of the seed grows first to form the root. The root pushes down into the soil and begins to absorb water and minerals from the soil. After this the plumule grows upwards to form the shoot. The shoot and root grow further. When the shoot comes up above the ground, it develops green leaves. The green leaves of the shoot begin to synthesise own food in the presence of sunlight. This seedling grows gradually and ultimately becomes a new plant.