Cohesion: Mutual attraction between water molecules is called cohesion.
Adhesion: Attraction of water molecules to polar surfaces is called adhesion.
Surface Tension: Any liquid has a tendency to occupy the least possible surface area. This property is called surface tension.
The above mentioned properties impart high tensile strength to water. The high tensile strength imparts an ability to resist a pulling force and high capillarity. The ability to rise in tubes is called capillarity. The thin tubes of xylem work like capillary tubes.
