H2A.Z,an evolutionarily conserved variant form of canonical H2A,has been widely recognized to have decisive roles in multiple cellular processes through its influence on chromatin structure and dynamics in eukaryotes.Many of its effects on regulating chromatin function have been attributed to its role in modulating nucleosome dynamics and DNA methylation.In plants,H2A.Z plays critical roles in multiple processes,such as growth and development,phase transitions,and response to the environment.Despite the progress made in understanding its role in these processes,several aspects of H2A.Z biology,such as the specificity and regulation of its incorporation and action mechanism in transcriptional regulation,remained elusive.Nevertheless,recent discoveries in plants discussed here have provided the much-needed momentum in solving some of the mysteries associated with H2A.Z (Figure 1).