What are the physical properties of water responsible for the ascent of sap through xylem in plants?

Physical properties of water that are responsible for the ascent of sap through xylem  are cohesion, adhesion and surface tension.

Cohesion is mutual attraction between water molecules. 

Adhesion is attraction of water molecules to polar surfaces.

Surface tension is where water molecules are attracted to each other in the liquid phase more than to water in the gas phase.