| S. No. | Primary meristems | Secondary meristems |
| (i) | It originates from embroyonal meristem. Example are root apex and shoot apex. | It originates from permanent tissues by regaining of meristematic activity. Examples are cambium and vascular. |
| (ii) | Made of isodiametric cells. No large vacuoles are found. | Consist of tangentially elongated cells having rectangular outerline in section and possess vacuoles. |
| (iii) | It gives rise to all primary tissues including intrafascicular cambium. | It forms secondary xylem, secondary phloem, secondary cortex and cock. |
| (iv) | It is responsible for longitudinal growth. I | It causes radial growth of stems and roots. |
