Why do plants bend toward windows?
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Answer: Phototropism seeks light
Windows provide warmth — Wrong. Plants don't bend for warmth—they respond to light direction. Auxin hormone causes cells on the shaded side to elongate, bending the plant toward light.
Plants like the view — Wrong. Plants don't see! They bend toward windows because of phototropism—auxin hormone makes shaded side cells grow faster, turning the plant toward light.
Phototropism seeks light ✓ — Correct! Indoor plants bend toward windows due to phototropism. Light from one direction causes auxin (growth hormone) to accumulate on the shaded side. These cells elongate faster, bending the stem toward light for maximum photosynthesis. Rotating plants prevents lopsided growth. Same mechanism Darwin studied!