Plants need sunlight, water, nutrients from soil, space to grow, and suitable temperatures to thrive. Sunlight allows plants to perform photosynthesis to produce their own food. Water is necessary for various plant functions including photosynthesis, maintaining cell structure, and preventing wilting. Soil provides minerals and nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that plants uptake through their roots. Crowded conditions can stunt plant growth. Temperatures should generally match a plant's native climate or it may not survive freezing weather. Proper watering is important to replace water lost through transpiration.