How much water does the resurrection plant need?

The resurrection plant (Selaginella lepidophylla) is a fascinating plant that can survive extreme dehydration and come back to life with just a little water. This plant is native to the Chihuahuan Desert in North America and has adapted to the harsh desert environment by developing an ability to become dormant when the conditions are too dry. But how much water does it need to revive?

The science behind the resurrection plant

The resurrection plant has a unique structure that allows it to conserve water better than other plants. Its leaves curl up into a tight ball when the plant dries out, which reduces the surface area exposed to the air and slows down water loss. The plant also produces a sugar called trehalose, which protects its cells from damage caused by dehydration.

When the plant is exposed to water again, it quickly rehydrates and resumes its normal functions. This is possible thanks to a process called desiccation tolerance, which enables the plant to survive extreme dehydration without suffering any harm.

The water requirements of the resurrection plant

The resurrection plant is often used as a model organism in studies of desiccation tolerance, and researchers have investigated the water requirements of this plant in detail. It has been found that the plant can revive even if it is exposed to as little as 5% of its original weight in water.

However, a study published in the journal Plant Physiology found that the plant recovers better when it is rehydrated with a specific concentration of sugar. The researchers found that a solution containing 0.3 M of trehalose was most effective at promoting recovery in the resurrection plant.

How to water the resurrection plant

If you have a resurrection plant and want to revive it, you don't need to worry too much about how much water to give it. As long as you give it enough water to rehydrate, it should come back to life. However, it's important to remember that the plant is adapted to survive in a dry environment, so it's best not to water it too often or keep it in overly humid conditions.

If your resurrection plant has turned brown and dry, you can revive it by placing it in a bowl of water or spraying it with water until it becomes green and turgid again. You can also add a small amount of sugar to the water, such as honey or molasses, to help promote recovery.

The benefits of the resurrection plant

The resurrection plant has many applications beyond its ability to revive from extreme dehydration. Its desiccation tolerance has attracted the attention of researchers who are looking for ways to develop drought-resistant crops. The trehalose produced by the plant is also being investigated for its potential therapeutic uses, such as protecting cells from damage caused by freezing and dehydration.

Overall, the resurrection plant is an amazing example of how nature has evolved to survive in even the harshest of environments. Its ability to come back to life with just a little water is truly remarkable, and it has many potential practical applications that could benefit humans and the environment.