Colorful Carnations Experiment

March is the perfect time to mix a little color with a little science. As flowers begin blooming outside, you can create your own colorful display at home while giving kids a hands-on lesson in how plants work.

Supplies:

• White flowers (carnations work best)
• Clear glasses or jars
• Water
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Trim each stem at an angle (about one inch from the bottom).
2. Fill jars halfway with water and add several drops of food coloring.
3. Place one flower in each jar.
4. Observe over several hours as petals begin to change color.

As the flowers “drink,” colored water travels up the stem through tiny tubes. This process, known as capillary action, allows plants to pull water from their roots to their leaves and petals. The visible color change helps children understand how plants survive and transport nutrients turning an ordinary bouquet into a living science demonstration.