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How to Color Celery

Plants contain a vascular system much like a human's. A plant's vascular system takes up water from the soil it grows in and distributes the water and nutrients to the stems, leaves and flowers of the plants. Celery quickly absorbs water through its vascular system, which allows you to demonstrate how the plants absorb water. Using colored water makes the path of the vascular system visible as it delivers moisture to the celery stalk and leaves.

Things You'll Need

Glass
Knife
Food coloring

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a drinking glass with water to within 3 inches of the rim. Use plain tap water.
- 2
  Place 10 to 15 drops of liquid food coloring in the glass. Stir the water with a spoon until the water is evenly tinted.
- 3
  Cut the bottom 2 to 4 inches off the celery stalk. Inspect the bottom to ensure the small round pores are visible. If not, cut another inch off the stalk.
- 4
  Place the cut end of the celery in the glass of colored water. Set the glass in an area away from direct sunlight. Direct sun causes the celery leaves to wilt.
- 5
  Monitor the celery over the next 24 hours. The pores in the cut end absorb the colored water. The stalk becomes streaked with the food coloring and eventually the leaves become tinted as the water reaches them.

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