The Life Cycle of a Bean Plant

Beans are a type of plant.

The bean plant goes through six stages in a life cycle.
The Seed Germinates
The plant starts life as a seed. The seed begins to
1 germinate, or grow. A shoot emerges in about two to
three days.

The Plant Grows

2 The seedling continues to grow, and a stem and leaves
appear. Roots continue to grow underground.

The Plant Flowers

The plant produces flowers. Bean plant flower petals
3 can be red, white, or yellow. You can usually see
flowers after six to eight weeks.

The Flower Produces Fruit

4 The bean plant produces pods of beans after 12 to 14
weeks. These pods are what we can pick and eat.

The Fruit Releases Seeds

5 The flower shrivels, and seeds fall onto the ground.

The Plant Dies

6 The final stage is when the plant dies. The seeds that
are left produce new plants.

Did you know?

• Annuals complete their life cycle in one year.
• Biennials complete their life cycle in two years.

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 The Life Cycle of a Bean Plant

Questions
1. How many stages are in a bean plant life cycle?
three
four
five
six
2. During which stage does the seed germinate?
one
two
three
four
3. How long will it take a pod of beans to grow on the plant?
two to three days
four to five days
12 to 14 days
12 to 14 weeks
4. What is a possible color for bean plant flowers?
orange
pink
red
green
5. What might help a seed to germinate? 



6. How do bean plants continue to grow after one dies?




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 The Life Cycle of a Bean Plant

Answers
1. How many stages are in a bean plant life cycle?
three
four
five
six
2. During which stage does the seed germinate?
one
two
three
four
3. How long will it take a pod of beans to grow on the plant?
two to three days
four to five days
12 to 14 days
12 to 14 weeks
4. What is a possible color for bean plant flowers?
orange
pink
red
green
5. What might help a seed to germinate? 
Answers may vary. A possible answer is: Light, water, and warmth
may help a seed germinate.
6. How do bean plants continue to grow after one dies?
Answers may vary. A possible answer is: Bean plants leave seeds
behind when they die. These seeds grow into new plants.

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