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Today, we are going to talk about taproots. So, what are taproots? As their name implies, a taproot is typically a long and somewhat thick root that taps deep down into the soil. It’s the first root to appear from the seed, and it remains the largest central root of the plant throughout the plant’s life.
Some examples of taproots include carrots, parsnips, and dandelions. That’s why dandelions are so hard to get out of the lawn. There are a few houseplants that have taproots as well. Right now, I have one of those in front of me: the Cordyline fruticosa ‘Glauca.’ I also have a video on growing this beauty. This plant has a taproot, and I thought it’d be fun to show you because the taproot is coming out of the bottom of the pot, indicating that I need to repot it. In another video, I’ll show you how to repot a plant with a taproot.
Plants in this family, and others you can grow indoors, have taproots that can become very long in their native habitat. I’ll show you this plant’s taproot right now. You can see the taproot sticking out of the bottom. It is thick, and although it got a little squished sitting at the bottom of the pot, the plant is still doing okay. These plants are pretty easy to grow indoors, which is one of the reasons I love them.
If you have some plants that you’re growing and you see a long thing that looks like a stem when you go to repot them, that’s actually a taproot. Lateral roots will grow off the taproot, allowing the plant to get more water and nutrients than just from the taproot alone. However, the central taproot will remain the largest and burrow deep into the soil.
If you’re guessing that plants with taproots are more drought-tolerant, you’re correct. Taproots burrow deep into the soil to access moisture. Indoors, the situation is a bit different because you, as I always say, are the mother or father nature providing water. Still, in a large pot, the plant will burrow deep to access moisture.
As mentioned, a common taproot plant is the carrot. When you eat a carrot, you’re eating a taproot. If you’ve grown carrots, you’ll notice little hair-like structures, or lateral roots, coming out of the sides of the carrot. These are often peeled off or cooked when you prepare the carrot.
There are some drawbacks to having plants with taproots, especially when it comes to repotting. You’ll need to be careful not to damage the taproot and ensure the new pot is long enough for the taproot to continue growing downward. This can be tricky, but fortunately, most houseplants don’t have taproots. If you’re growing a Cordyline fruticosa ‘Glauca,’ you now know what that stem-like protrusion in the soil is—it’s a taproot.
So, that’s what a taproot is. In another video, I’ll show you how to repot this beautiful plant, as it’s time to pot it up. The taproot coming out of the bottom is one of the indicators of that.
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FAQ about Taproots
What are taproots?
As their name implies, a taproot is typically a long and somewhat thick root that taps deep down into the soil. It’s the first root to appear from the seed and remains the largest central root of the plant throughout its life.
Can you give examples of plants with taproots?
Some examples of taproots include carrots, parsnips, and dandelions. These plants are known for their deep-root systems, which can be challenging to remove from the soil. There are also houseplants with taproots, such as the Cordyline fruticosa ‘Glauca.’
How do taproots benefit plants?
Taproots burrow deep into the soil to access moisture, making plants with taproots more drought-tolerant. In indoor settings, the taproot continues to seek moisture within the pot, although the plant relies on you to provide water.
How can you identify a taproot in a plant?
If you notice a long, stem-like root when repotting, that’s likely a taproot. It remains the largest root and extends deep into the soil, while lateral roots grow off it to help the plant absorb water and nutrients.
What should you do if you see a taproot while repotting?
Be careful not to damage the taproot when repotting. Ensure the new pot is long enough to accommodate the taproot’s growth. Most houseplants do not have taproots, but plants like the Cordyline fruticosa ‘Glauca’ do.
Are there any common issues with taproots?
The main issue with taproots is the need for a sufficiently deep pot to prevent damage during repotting. Since taproots grow deep into the soil, repotting can be tricky if the new pot isn’t long enough.
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