The two main types of vascular tissues in plants are xylem and phloem.
- Xylem carries water and minerals from the roots up to the leaves. It mainly consists of dead cells and also helps support the plant.
- Phloem carries food (sugars) made in the leaves to other parts of the plant. It is made up of living cells and moves food in both upward and downward directions.
In simple terms, xylem transports water, and phloem transports food — together they form the plant’s transport system.