Chapter 13 of NCERT Class 11 Biology, Plant Growth and Development, focuses on how plants grow and change throughout their life cycle. It covers the phases of plant growth, types of growth, and the important role of plant hormones in regulating this process. This chapter also explains photoperiodism, vernalisation and seed dormancy, which are often asked in exams.
I wanted to write on this topic because most students tend to memorise plant hormones and growth stages without really understanding their actual role in plants. When I studied this chapter during my own preparation, I realised how closely it connects with agriculture, gardening and even real-life plant care. Growth isn’t just about increase in height—it includes how plants respond to light, temperature and nutrients. Understanding these concepts can help students appreciate biology as more than just theory, especially when preparing for NEET or other entrance exams. That’s why I’ve broken it down in a student-friendly way and also provided the official NCERT PDF download link for your easy revision.
Plant Growth and Development – Complete Overview
Plant growth is a continuous process influenced by both internal and external factors. Unlike animals, plants keep growing throughout their life in certain regions like root and shoot tips. This chapter explains the entire growth journey from germination to flowering.
Phases of Growth in Plants
- Meristematic Phase
- Found in apical meristems (root and shoot tips)
- Cells actively divide and are small with dense cytoplasm
- Elongation Phase
- Cells increase in size and length
- Happens behind the meristematic region
- Maturation Phase
- Cells stop elongating and become specialised
- Final stage of growth in a given tissue
Types of Growth
- Primary Growth: Increase in length of the plant
- Secondary Growth: Increase in thickness or girth, common in dicots
- Unlimited Growth: Seen in roots and shoots
- Limited Growth: Seen in leaves, flowers and fruits
Conditions for Growth
- Water: Helps in turgidity and enzymatic activity
- Oxygen: Needed for cellular respiration
- Nutrients: Essential elements like N, P, K
- Temperature: Affects enzymatic activity
- Light: Especially for processes like photoperiodism
Download PDF
Click Here to Download NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 13: Plant Growth and Development PDF

















