Final answer:
Money plants can grow in water without soil by using a method similar to hydroponics. They absorb essential nutrients directly from the water and carbon dioxide from the air to photosynthesize and generate energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Money Plants Can Grow in Water Without Soil
Money plants and other species can grow in a water environment due to a process akin to hydroponics, a soil-less cultivation technique. When a stem cutting of a money plant is placed in water, it develops roots that absorb essential minerals and water directly from the solution. The cutting relies on the existing energy reserves within the stem until it can photosynthesize on its own. Money plants, along with other plants, derive carbon, one of the primary elements needed for growth, from the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Other essential nutrients, usually absorbed from soil, must be present in the water for the plant to thrive in a soil-less environment. The water container for the plant may also naturally acquire trace amounts of minerals from tap water or environmental sources, supporting the plant's growth. Additionally, epiphytic plants like certain ferns collect water and nutrients directly from rainwater and air moisture. These plants can inspire techniques like water propagation for houseplants.
Plants also rely on a combination of both organic and inorganic compounds for their growth, with the majority of their nutrients coming from inorganic sources. The primary macronutrients for plants are carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, while micronutrients include elements such as iron and manganese. This ability to utilize relatively dispersed environmental resources highlights the adaptiveness of plants, allowing them to grow in a range of conditions, even when soil is not available.