Grass grows continuously from the base upwards

Why grass can keep growing after a cut

A grass blade lengthens from a growth zone near its base, rather than from the exposed tip. This zone contains cells that divide and then expand, producing new tissue that pushes the older portions of the blade upward. The blade therefore grows from the bottom while its tip is simply the oldest part.

A growth point protected from grazing

Because the growth zone sits low on the plant, a mower can remove the blade’s upper portion without usually removing the cells that make more blade. The same arrangement helps grass recover when animals eat it: much of the growing tissue remains close to the ground, where it is less likely to be bitten off. If cutting or grazing reaches that zone, however, the plant can be damaged more seriously.

This low-set growth point is especially useful for plants whose leaves are repeatedly clipped. Instead of having to rebuild a blade from its tip, grass keeps extending it from near the base—one reason a lawn can green up again after mowing.