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."
separable
pot up
B2 neutral separable transitive
To plant a seedling, cutting, or bulb into a pot for the first time.
In plain English
To put a young plant or cutting into a pot with soil so it can grow.
What does "pot up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
'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.
Actually means
To put a young plant or cutting into a pot with soil so it can grow.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "pot up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
seedlings cuttings bulbs compost spring individually
How to conjugate "pot up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "pot up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pot up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.