So far the studies that have been performed in orbit have shown that plants grow perfectly normal (shoots up, roots down--so to speak) in microgravity. They also produce healthy offspring which can grow new plants in orbit.

Experiments have been performed on *Arabidopsis* and other *Brassicaceae*.

Aboard the ISS a special “plant growth chamber” called Advanced Astroculture (or ADVASC) is used for *Arabidopsis*. Within this enclosed chamber the environmental and growth conditions of the plants can be controlled.

> The ADVANCED ASTROCULTURE™ controls temperature, humidity, light, atmospheric conditions and delivery of nutrients to plants. It requires no power during Shuttle ascent and descent.

*(FS-2001-11-187-MSFC)*

The seeds are planted in a tray containing a special material composed of crushed clay (Arcillite) for rooting. The plant receives its nutrition via basins in ADVASC that contain water and other nutrients.

Another unit with plant growth chambers called the [Advanced Biological Research System (ABRS)][1] has also been used on the ISS for *Arabidopsis*.

![ABRS][2]

**Sources:**

 - [Getting to the Root of Plant Growth Aboard the Space Station - NASA][3]
 - [Advanced Astroculture Fact Sheet (FS-2001-11-187-MSFC) - NASA][4]
 - [Reproduction on orbit by plants in the Brassicaceae family - Mary E. Musgrave, Anxiu Kuang, Ying Xiao, and Sharon W. Matthews, *American Institute of Physics*][5]


  [1]: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/ABRS.html
  [2]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/a2UQS.jpg
  [3]: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/tages.html
  [4]: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/background/facts/advasc2.html
  [5]: http://proceedings.aip.org/resource/2/apcpcs/458/1/376_1?isAuthorized=no