Why Is the Grass Green and Not Purple or Orange?
The Real Reason Grass Looks Green
It all comes down to one thing: chlorophyll. That’s the pigment inside the cells of grass (and most plants) that helps it absorb sunlight for photosynthesis. This process is how the plant makes its own food.
But here’s the twist—chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light really well, but reflects green light. So when you’re staring at your backyard lawn or a football field, what your eyes are actually picking up is the green light bouncing off the blades of grass.
It’s not that grass wants to be green. It just ends up that way because of the way chlorophyll interacts with sunlight.
Why Not Purple or Orange Instead?
Would other colors work better?
Funny enough, some scientists have asked that exact same question. If photosynthesis is about absorbing light energy, wouldn't purple be more efficient? After all, purple light contains both red and blue wavelengths.
In theory, maybe. But evolution doesn't always pick the most "efficient" route—it picks what works and survives. And chlorophyll (especially chlorophyll a) just happened to evolve to work best in our sun’s light spectrum, reflecting green along the way.
Orange pigments do exist... just not in grass
Some plants have carotenoids, which are orange or yellow pigments. You see them in carrots, autumn leaves, or marigolds. They help out in photosynthesis too, but they don’t dominate in grass because chlorophyll is just so darn effective.
Actually, during fall, when chlorophyll breaks down in trees, the orange and red hues finally get their moment. So in a way, orange does show up—just not in the summer.
Could Grass Be Another Color on a Different Planet?
Now this is where things get kinda wild.
If a planet had a different type of star—like one that gave off more red light—plants there might evolve to reflect something other than green. Maybe they'd absorb red and reflect blue. Or maybe the atmosphere would tint everything purple-ish, and evolution would favor plants that reflect orange. Who knows?
Grass being green is basically an Earth-specific thing. It’s biology shaped by our sun and atmosphere.
What About Grass That Isn't Green?
Okay, confession time: not all grass is green.
There are rare ornamental grasses with a bluish hue. Some algae and plants even appear red or purple (like certain seaweeds or red cabbage) due to pigments like phycobilins or anthocyanins.
Still, green wins out most of the time. Probably because it balances light absorption without overheating the plant. It's like nature’s version of choosing comfort over flashiness.
Conclusion: Grass Is Green Because Evolution Said So
To put it simply, grass is green because chlorophyll reflects green light. It's not a style choice—it’s just what works best under our yellow sun.
Could it have been orange or purple? In some alternate universe, sure. But on Earth, green grass just got the lucky evolutionary ticket.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.