01
pflanzen
to plant
To put a plant into the ground or a pot so that it can grow there.
example
Im Frühling pflanzen wir Tomaten und Salat in unserem Garten.
In spring, we plant tomatoes and lettuce in our garden.
pflanzen
to plant
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'pflanzen' (to plant) is directly related to the noun 'die Pflanze' (the plant). When you plant something, you put a plant into the ground.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben eine neue Pflanze für das Wohnzimmer gekauft.
We bought a new plant for the living room.
Context clue
You can recognize the literal meaning from the context of gardens, nature, or plants. The colloquial meanings ('jemanden täuschen' — to deceive someone, or 'sich hinsetzen' — to sit down) are only understandable from the situation and are often recognizable from the grammar (reflexive or with a person as the object).
EXAMPLE
Er pflanzt Kräuter auf dem Balkon.
He plants herbs on the balcony.
Typical collocations
In the literal meaning, 'pflanzen' (to plant) is often combined with what is being planted, e.g. 'Bäume pflanzen' (to plant trees), 'Blumen pflanzen' (to plant flowers), or 'Gemüse pflanzen' (to plant vegetables).
EXAMPLE
Jedes Jahr im Herbst pflanzen wir neue Tulpenzwiebeln.
Every year in autumn, we plant new tulip bulbs.
Colloquial use
This meaning is purely colloquial. It is often phrased as a question to express that you do not believe a statement.
EXAMPLE
Du hast im Lotto gewonnen? Willst du mich pflanzen?
You won the lottery? Are you kidding me?
Reflexive use
In this meaning, the verb is always used reflexively with 'sich' (oneself). It describes a slightly provocative or very self-confident way of sitting or standing somewhere.
EXAMPLE
Der Junge pflanzte sich mitten in den Weg und wollte nicht aufstehen.
The boy planted himself right in the middle of the path and refused to get up.
Compare with
pflanzen vs setzen
to set / put
'setzen' and 'pflanzen' can both mean, in gardening, putting something into the soil so that it grows. 'pflanzen' is the normal and clear word for plants, flowers, trees, or seedlings. 'setzen' is also used in this area, for example with certain plants, bulbs, or seeds, but depending on the sentence it can sound more specific. Learners may confuse the words because in German you really can say 'Pflanzen setzen' (to plant plants). If you are talking about gardening in general, 'pflanzen' is usually the safer choice.
pflanzen
Anton pflanzt vor dem Haus einen kleinen Apfelbaum.
Anton is planting a small apple tree in front of the house.
setzen
Im Herbst setzen wir Tulpenzwiebeln in den Garten.
In autumn, we plant tulip bulbs in the garden.
In real life
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