Why do leaves change color?

Why leaves change color

Leaves change color because of changes in sunlight and temperature. During spring and summer, leaves are green because they contain chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll helps plants use sunlight to make food. In autumn, days become shorter and temperatures get cooler. Plants stop producing chlorophyll, and the green color slowly disappears.

When the green color fades, other colors become visible. Yellow and orange colors come from pigments that were already in the leaf.

Red and purple colors appear when sugar gets trapped in the leaf.

As a result, leaves change color before they fall from the tree. This is a natural process that helps trees survive the winter.