Translation guide
A plant grown in a container, usually indoors or on a balcony. Japanese distinguishes between the plant itself and the pot it's in, and has specific words for bonsai and decorative plants.
Referring to a plant that is grown in a pot, focusing on the plant rather than the container.
The most common and general term for a potted plant. It can refer to the plant itself or the act of planting in a pot.
この鉢植えは日当たりの良い場所に置いてください。
Please place this potted plant in a sunny spot.
母の日に鉢植えをプレゼントしました。
I gave a potted plant as a Mother's Day gift.
Often used in gardening or florist contexts to refer to potted plants as items or products. Slightly more technical than 鉢植え.
この店では季節の鉢物を販売しています。
This shop sells seasonal potted plants.
Emphasizing the combination of plant and pot, often when buying, moving, or decorating.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a plant in a pot'. Useful when you want to be clear that you mean the whole thing.
引っ越しのとき、鉢に入った植物をどうやって運びますか？
How do you move potted plants when moving house?
Literally 'plant of pot-planting'. Similar to 鉢植え but more explicit.
鉢植えの植物は水やりが大切です。
Watering is important for potted plants.
Specifically referring to the art of bonsai, a tree cultivated in a shallow pot.
The well-known Japanese art form. Use this only for actual bonsai, not for any potted plant.
祖父は盆栽の手入れが趣味です。
My grandfather's hobby is caring for bonsai.
この盆栽は樹齢百年です。
This bonsai is 100 years old.
A plant grown indoors for decoration or air purification.
Specifically refers to foliage plants grown indoors for their decorative leaves. Very common in homes and offices.
観葉植物を部屋に置くと空気がきれいになります。
Putting houseplants in a room cleans the air.
この観葉植物はあまり水を必要としません。
This houseplant doesn't need much water.
A more general term for indoor plants, but less common than 観葉植物.
室内植物を育てるのは初めてです。
This is my first time growing indoor plants.
Referring to the pot itself, not the plant.
The standard word for a flower pot or plant pot. Note: this is the container only.
植木鉢に土を入れてください。
Please put soil in the flower pot.
この植木鉢は底に穴が開いています。
This flower pot has a hole in the bottom.
A general word for pot, bowl, or basin. In context, it can mean flower pot. Often used in compounds.
鉢植え (hachiue) means a potted plant (the plant in a pot), while 植木鉢 (uekibachi) means a flower pot (the container). Using the wrong one can cause confusion when shopping or giving instructions.
When giving a potted plant as a gift, it's common to say 「鉢植えですが…」 (It's a potted plant, but...) as a humble way to present it, especially if it's not a cut flower arrangement.
This pot is made of plastic.