1 B2 neutral
To transfer seedlings or young plants from a sheltered environment into their permanent outdoor growing position.
"After the last frost, we planted out all the tomato seedlings we had been growing on the windowsill."
separable
plant out
B2 neutral separable transitive
To transfer young plants or seedlings from pots or trays into outdoor ground or garden beds.
In plain English
To move young plants from small pots or inside the house into the ground outside in the garden.
What does "plant out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To plant something out (outside) — directionally transparent within the gardening domain.
Actually means
To move young plants from small pots or inside the house into the ground outside in the garden.
Usage tip
A gardening term. The 'out' implies moving from a protected environment (indoors, greenhouse, seed tray) to a permanent outdoor position. Common in British gardening vocabulary. Usually done in spring when there is no longer a risk of frost. Also used in agriculture for transplanting crops.
Words that pair with "plant out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
seedlings tomatoes bedding plants cabbages lettuces spring
How to conjugate "plant out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
plant out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plants out
he/she/it
Past simple
planted out
yesterday
Past participle
planted out
have + pp
-ing form
planting out
continuous
Hear "plant out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "plant out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "plant out"
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