The endodermis of the root serves as a border between the outer cortex and the inner vascular system and is involved in regulating the uptake of nutrients from the soil. Endodermis can transition from an absorbing to a protective epithelium, and this is associated with the deposition of a hydrophobic polymer called suberin. Suberization has been linked to drought and salt resistance and was thought to be permanent. Barberon et al. show that suberization is in fact a reversible process, and that suberin is deposited or degraded in response to changing nutritional needs. They further reveal that suberization is controlled by plant hormones, with abscisic acid stimulating suberin deposition, and ethylene inhibiting it and inducing suberin degradation. This previously unanticipated plasticity is physiologically relevant and serves as an adaptive response to nutritional stress.