Why Can’t I Evolve My Plants in Sims 4? A Gardener’s Guide to Evolution Success
So, you’ve got a garden brimming with potential, but your leafy friends are stubbornly refusing to evolve in The Sims 4? Don’t despair, budding botanist! Plant evolution in The Sims 4 is governed by several factors, and understanding these is key to unlocking the full potential of your green Simoleons. The primary reasons your plants aren’t evolving are:
- Insufficient Fertilization: This is often the biggest culprit. Plants usually need to be fertilized multiple times (around 7, as the original text stated!) before they’re ready to evolve. Think of it as giving your plant the nutrients it needs to level up!
- Gardening Skill Level: You need to reach at least level 2 in the Gardening skill to even attempt to evolve plants. If your Sim is a gardening newbie, they need to hone their skills first!
- Interrupted Interaction: As the provided text mentioned, your Sim needs to not be actively interacting with another object when you hit the evolve button. Your sim might need to be interacting with something – so say they are washing their hands.
- Plant Quality: Plants with lower quality may take longer to evolve, or may not be able to evolve at all. Ensure your plant is at least of Normal quality and the plant is watered, weeded, and bug sprayed!
- Sheltered Status: Sheltered plants evolve at a much slower rate. While shelters protect plants from the elements (if you have Seasons installed), they also hinder their natural progression.
- Season: Certain plants may only be able to evolve during their optimal growing season. If the plant is dormant, it might not evolve.
Let’s dive deeper into these factors and explore some other common questions to get your plants flourishing!
Understanding Plant Evolution Mechanics
Fertilization: The Fuel for Growth
Fertilizing your plants is absolutely crucial for evolution. It provides the necessary nutrients for them to grow stronger and healthier. Remember that you unlock the ability to fertilize at level 3 of the Gardening skill!
Different types of fertilizer will have different effects. Some fertilizers improve the quality of your crops, while others promote faster growth. The Cottage Living expansion pack introduces even more specialized fertilizers, which affect the size and quality of your crops.
Gardening Skill: The Key to Unlocking Potential
Your Sim’s Gardening skill isn’t just about planting and harvesting. It unlocks vital abilities like researching plants (to learn more about their needs) and, most importantly, evolving them. Reaching level 2 is the minimum requirement for plant evolution, but higher skill levels will improve your gardening efficiency and the quality of your plants.
You can increase your Gardening skill by tending to your plants, reading gardening books, and researching gardening on the computer. Experiment and find what works best for your Sim!
Environment Matters: Light, Space, and Seasons
The environment plays a significant role in plant growth. Make sure your plants are getting enough light, even if it’s just indirect light. If you have the Seasons expansion pack, be mindful of the time of year. Some plants may be dormant during winter and won’t evolve until spring arrives.
Also, ensure that your plants have adequate space. A Cowplant, for instance, requires plenty of room in front of it to lure in unsuspecting Sims. If a plant is too cramped, it may struggle to thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Plant Evolution in Sims 4
Q1: How many times do I need to fertilize a plant before it evolves?
Generally, fertilizing your plants around seven times is needed for the plant to be ready to evolve. However, this number can vary depending on the plant’s quality, whether it’s sheltered, and your Sim’s Gardening skill. It is also dependent on the type of fertilizer used.
Q2: I can’t fertilize my plants! What’s wrong?
You need to reach level 3 of the Gardening skill to unlock the ability to fertilize plants. Until then, your Sim won’t have the necessary knowledge to properly nourish their garden.
Q3: How do I get rare plants in Sims 4?
To acquire rare plants, your Sim needs to reach level 10 of the Gardening skill. At this level, you can purchase rare seed packets from the computer or in Build Mode. These packets often contain magic beans, which can be planted in the Magic PlantSim Stump (also purchased in Build Mode).
Q4: My plant is sheltered. How do I make it evolve faster?
Sheltered plants evolve much more slowly. If you want to speed up the evolution process, consider moving your plant outdoors, at least temporarily. Be mindful of the weather, especially if you have the Seasons expansion pack.
Q5: What is the fastest-growing plant in Sims 4?
Green beans are among the fastest-growing regular plants, typically maturing within 12-24 hours. Strawberries are another good option, taking around 24 hours to grow. These are also relatively inexpensive, making them ideal for beginner gardeners.
Q6: What is the most profitable plant to grow in Sims 4?
The Dragon Fruit is a highly valuable plant in The Sims 4. A base Dragon Fruit is worth $250, but with careful tending, evolving, and fertilizing, you can earn up to $695 per plant. They are also essential for grafting Cow Berries.
Q7: How do I graft plants in Sims 4?
Grafting involves taking a cutting from one plant and attaching it to another. This can create new and unique plant combinations. To graft, click on a plant and select the “Take Cutting” option. Then, click on another plant and select “Graft.” Remember that grafting success is tied to your Sim’s Gardening skill.
Q8: My Cowplant berry failed to germinate. Why?
Cowplants require ample space to thrive. If your Cowplant berry isn’t germinating, it’s likely because there isn’t enough room in front of it for the plant to grow. Move the pot to a more spacious location.
Q9: Can plant Sims have plant babies?
Being a PlantSim is a temporary state and doesn’t directly affect your Sim’s ability to have children. Babies born to PlantSim parents will be normal Sims, unless they consume the Forbidden Fruit later in life.
Q10: How long do Sims stay as Plant Sims?
The PlantSim transformation lasts for five days. After that, your Sim will revert to their normal form. You can extend the PlantSim state by eating another Forbidden Fruit.
Q11: What is the Forbidden Fruit?
The Forbidden Fruit is obtained by planting a seed acquired through a specific interaction with the Strange Plant in the hidden laboratory in the Strangerville pack. Eating this fruit transforms your Sim into a PlantSim. It can also be obtained as a reward for reaching level 10 of the Scientist career.
Q12: How do I get a Death Flower in Sims 4?
Obtaining a Death Flower involves a specific grafting process:
- Graft a Cherry to an Apple to create a Pomegranate.
- Graft a Lily to a Snapdragon to create an Orchid.
- Graft the Pomegranate to the Orchid to finally get the Death Flower.
Alternatively, if you have the Realm of Magic DLC, you can purchase a Death Flower at the Potion Shop on Caster’s Alley.
Q13: Is there a way to speed up plant growth in Sims 4?
Yes! Using fertilizers designed for growth, ensuring your plants receive adequate light, and maintaining a consistent watering schedule can significantly speed up plant growth. The Cottage Living expansion introduces specialized fertilizers like Grow-Fast Fertilizer, Hyper Growth Fertilizer, and Super Vitality Fertilizer.
Q14: What are the stages of gardening in Sims 4?
Here’s a brief overview of the Gardening skill levels:
- Level 1: Plant, harvest, water, weed, and sell plants; buy Starter, Seasonal, and Catnip Seed Packets.
- Level 2: Research plants, water areas at once, evolve plants, research gardening on the computer.
- Level 3: Fertilize plants.
Higher levels unlock even more advanced abilities and access to rarer plants.
Q15: Where can I learn more about the connection between games and learning?
The Games Learning Society (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/) is an excellent resource for exploring the intersection of games and education. The organization promotes research and innovation in the field of game-based learning. You can also go to GamesLearningSociety.org to find the website.
Conclusion: Nurturing Your Green Thumb
Plant evolution in The Sims 4 is a rewarding but sometimes challenging process. By understanding the underlying mechanics and addressing common issues, you can transform your garden into a thriving oasis. Remember to focus on fertilization, skill development, environmental factors, and plant quality. With a little patience and dedication, you’ll be evolving plants like a pro in no time!