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How much heat to plants produce?

16 years ago

This may seem like an odd question, but I was just thinking about this recently. Plants are living things that metabolise nutrients from the soil, so therefore they must generate some heat. Even if it's a very miniscule amount, just how much heat do plants create? Are some plants "hotter" than others? I would guess that the faster it grows the more it metabolizes and thus the more heat it produces, but how would you measure just how much that is?

Featured Answer

m_taggart

16 years ago

I'm not sure if the would produce much heat. Remember, plants transpire water too. The water is in liquid form in the plant tissue. It then exits through the stomata in the leaves and vaporizes to the gas form. It takes 540 calories per gram of water for this to occur. I would guess that any metabolic heat is used up vaporizing the water, thus no measurable heat can be observed. I could also be blowing all this out my butt. Maybe some plants with fantastic growth rates like bamboo put out some heat. Does anyone else know?

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Comments (10)

mr_subjunctive
16 years ago
There are aroids that heat their flowers for relatively brief periods, but it's special circumstances: New York Times link.
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
16 years ago
It does seem like an odd question, but the answer can be found after some very scientific measurements. I'll provide the formula, but you can do the remaining research, measurements, and calculations on a "how bad do you need to know" basis. ;o)

During the respiration phase plants become exergonic (they release heat). Converting primarily glucose, but proteins, fats, and other carbohydrates too, they release heat at the rate of -686 kcal/mole of glucose or -2,870 kJ/mole of glucose. I bet you're sooo glad you asked. ;o)

Al
paul_
16 years ago
Rather scary that you know that, Al --- ;D LOL

Skunk cabbages are known to produce enough heat to melt snow off of them, but again under certain circumstances/limited time frame.
watergal
16 years ago
Wow, I learned something today!
watergal
16 years ago
mr s, thanks for the linked article - too cool!

al, I have no idea what you said, but it impressed the heck out of me. However, I have no need to know, so it's OK! ;)
artur0
16 years ago
thats funny watergal, you said what i was thinking
User
16 years ago
I'm just curious, what prompts you to ask such a question?
marquest
16 years ago
I do not know why the question was asked. But.....If it is going to save me about 100 bucks off my 350 buck winter bill it will give me more money to buy more plants and pay the water bill that I have use to keep them watered. LOL!!!!

But from Al's response, although I did not understand it, I might still be able to save on my food bill if I stand close enough to my plants at the proper time I can get some water, glucose, and fat (well maybe I will skip the fat) I have enough of that on my butt.

I am amazed of the knowledge on the Houseplant forum.
Drakens
Original Author
16 years ago
Well what started it was discussing the movie Predator and he was using his heat vision thing to try to find Arnold, but I remembered you could kind of see the plants in the background weren't hot, but were registering on the heat sensor. So this started an argument about whether plants produce enough heat to really register on such a thing. I figured that since they metabolise nutrients they must produce some heat, but wasn't positive it would be very much. I told you it was odd.

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