Certain conditions or combinations of conditions are important for seed germination and plant growth. These may include water, light, soil, space and temperature. Different seeds have different requirements, and germinating seeds may have different needs than growing plants. These ideas can be explored readily in classrooms where students are learning to investigate plant growth.

Based on prior experiences with plants in the early grades, students have basic knowledge about the things plants need to grow: sun, water and air. This thinking leads them to preconceptions about what a seed needs to grow. At first, children do not differentiate between the conditions necessary for plant growth and the conditions required for seed germination. For example, many are sure that seeds will not grow in the dark because they need sunlight. Even when this idea is challenged by students who point out that "it's dark underground," many remain convinced that seeds cannot grow in the dark. Students will readily agree that seeds need water to begin growing, but until they examine soaked seeds and observe swelling and the splitting of the seed coat they are unable to offer good explanations for why seeds need water to begin growing.