Plants need oxygen mainly to carry out cellular respiration , the process that turns sugars into usable energy for growth, repair, and other life functions. Without oxygen, their cells can’t efficiently release the energy stored in the sugars they make, so the plant quickly weakens or dies.

The “Quick Scoop”

  • Plants make oxygen during photosynthesis (using sunlight, CO₂, and water) but they also use oxygen just like animals do.
  • At night, or in dark‑grown tissues, plants consume more oxygen than they produce , so they must take in oxygen from the air or soil.
  • If plants are surrounded by too little oxygen (for example, in waterlogged soil or a sealed container), roots “suffocate,” growth slows, and diseases move in.

How plants use oxygen

1. Cellular respiration

  • In their cells, plants break down glucose (sugar) in the presence of oxygen to make ATP (energy currency) and release CO₂ as waste.
  • This happens all the time , even during the day, so plants are constantly using some of the oxygen they release.

2. Root oxygen needs

  • Roots absorb oxygen from air spaces in the soil and use it to produce energy for nutrient and water uptake.
  • When soil is flooded or compacted, oxygen drops and roots can “drown,” leading to wilting, yellowing, and poor growth.

Why this matters in gardening and farming

  • Good soil aeration (loose, not packed soil) and proper drainage ensure roots get enough oxygen.
  • In hydroponics or aquaponics, growers often add air stones or oxygen‑enriched water to keep root systems healthy.

Simple comparison table

Feature| What happens when oxygen is plentiful| What happens when oxygen is low
---|---|---
Leaf energy production| Efficient respiration, healthy growth 37| Slower growth, reduced vigor 89
Root function| Good water/nutrient uptake, strong roots 16| Roots may rot or “drown,” poor uptake 18
Overall plant health| Better yield and stress resistance 18| Increased disease risk, weaker plant 89

In short: plants are both oxygen producers and oxygen users. They need oxygen continuously to power their cells and keep roots alive, even though they’re famous for giving it away during photosynthesis.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.