why do plants do well sitting with their roots in just water, but once you’ve planted them they start to rot if the soil is too wet?

Question

why do plants do well sitting with their roots in just water, but once you’ve planted them they start to rot if the soil is too wet?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Life is the simple answer. Rot begins when life forms begin eating away at organic matter.

In the soil are all kinds of microorganisms, many of which decompose organic material. Those life forms generally have trouble living in water, thus cannot rot the roots. There are life forms that can do that in water however, which is why you keep your water clean.