Can I use store-bought lettuce or herbs instead of spinach?

Yes. Fresh, flexible leaves work best. Some leaves lay flatter and make thicker bubbles more easily. If a leaf curls or is dry, pat it with a paper towel before cutting disks. Don’t expect identical results with every plant.

What if nothing floats after 30 minutes? Did we do something wrong?

Not necessarily. Light strength, leaf age, or disk thickness all change timing. Try thinner disks, brighter light, or fresher leaves next time. It often works on the second try once you tweak one small detail.

Can I save the solution for later?

You can reuse the solution once more if it still looks clear. It loses effectiveness after the first run. If you plan to repeat soon, note the time and leaf type so you can compare the fresh trial with the saved solution.

Easy Floating Leaves Experiment 2026

Name: Floating Leaves Experiment
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Not Applicable
Ingredients: Fresh green leaves (such as spinach); Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate); Water (room temperature); Paper towel

Floating Leaves Experiment

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A simple and captivating kitchen science experiment demonstrating photosynthesis using fresh leaves and baking soda.

Author: linda-harper
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Activity
Method: Experiment
Cuisine: Not Applicable
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Fresh green leaves (such as spinach)
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
Water (room temperature)
Paper towel

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Instructions

Prepare a baking soda solution by stirring about a teaspoon of baking soda into half a cup of water.
Stir until the baking soda looks mostly dissolved and the water appears slightly cloudy.
Use a hole punch or small cutter to make small disks from fresh leaves.
Put the disks into a clear cup and pour the baking soda solution over them.
Draw the water and disks into a syringe, ensuring the disks are submerged.
Release the vacuum and let the disks settle before gently pouring back into the cup.
Place the cup under a bright light to speed up the photosynthesis process.
Observe the disks over 10 to 30 minutes as they begin to float and see bubbles forming.
Once the disks float, gently tap the cup to observe the bubbles.
Compost the leaf disks and clean the cup and syringe after the experiment.

Notes

Supervise children during cutting steps and when using glass or sharp tools. Expect a light mess and keep a damp paper towel handy for quick cleanups.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 experiment
Calories: 50
Sugar: 0g
Sodium: 1mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Find it online: https://www.diymadeeasy.com/floating-leaves-experiment/