pot up
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To put a young plant or cutting into a pot with soil so it can grow.
Literal meaning: 'Pot' means to place in a pot; 'up' adds a sense of preparation or setting up — giving the image of establishing a plant in its growing container.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To place a seedling, cutting, or bulb into a pot with compost for the first time so it can grow.
"I spent the weekend potting up all the geranium cuttings I'd taken last month."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Common British gardening term. Often used in spring when starting seeds indoors or when propagating cuttings. The 'up' suggests the plant is being set up — established in its growing environment for the first time.
Commonly used with
seedlings cuttings bulbs compost spring individually
Forms
Base
pot up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pots up
he/she/it
Past simple
poted up
yesterday
Past participle
poted up
have + pp
-ing form
poting up
continuous
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