Two Different Leaves on One Plant

Medina, OH

Ok, this is going to seem like a really strange question I suppose. My daughter (age 6) likes to save seeds and plant them to see if they will grow. She planted seeds from a Granny Smith Apple (hehehe) and they actually sprouted. In fact, we had 3 or 4 little seedlings for a while. All but one died. The one that is still growing has two different kinds of leaves on it. Some are smooth, round leaves. Others are serrated/toothed (not sure if this is the right term). How can a plant have 2 different leaves like this??? Is this normal?

Thumbnail by SilverSagess
Dublin, CA(Zone 9a)

The first leaves that come out are called the seed leaves or cotyledons, these are typically little rounded things no matter what plant you have, then the next set of leaves is the first true leaves and in most cases will look a lot more like the plant's real leaves that it'll have when it grows up. So the smooth round leaves that you are seeing are the seed leaves, and the more toothed leaves are the true leaves. Also don't worry when the little round ones shrivel up or fall off, once the plant has true leaves it doesn't really need the seed leaves anymore so they'll often die and fall off.

Medina, OH

Thank you for the info! Wow, I never knew that. Interesting. I don't expect it will continue to grow in a little pot in my sunroom anyway... but for now, my daughter is thrilled that she grew something!

Thanks again.

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
BACK TO TOP