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Supplement on Plants on Shabbos and Yom Tov taken from “The Laws of Shabbos” Volume 3
1. Are flowers and plants Muktzah on Shabbos/Yom Tov?[1]
If one bought or designated the plants before Yom Tov for purpose of decoration, then they are not Muktzah and may even initially be spread over the Shul or house on Yom Tov. Nevertheless, when Shabbos falls on Erev Shavuos one may not spread any of the plants on Shabbos in preparation for Shavuos, as it is forbidden to prepare on Shabbos for after Shabbos.
2. Scenting branches and leaves that are detached from the ground:[2]
It is permitted to move scented branches and leaves [which have become detached from the ground before Shabbos].[3] One may even rub the branches and pluck off leaves [with his hands] in order to increase its scent.[4] [It is however forbidden to cut off pieces from the branch or leaf using a knife or other utensil.[5]]
3. Laws relating to Pot Plants:
Moving a pot plant from one place to another:[6] It is forbidden to move a pot plant that contains a breathing hole from on top of a peg, and place it directly on the earth[7], or from on the earth and place it onto a peg[8] [or to lift it from the earth and place it in another area of the earth[9]]. If the pot does not contain any holes, then if its pot is made of earthenware or wood, it likewise may not be moved from a peg to the earth or vice versa.[10] [If, however, the pot does not have a breathing hole, and is made of metal or glass, then it may be moved from one area to another.[11] If a pot that does not have a hole contains a plant which hovers over the earth, past the boundary of the pot, then the entire pot is considered as if it is attached to the ground and may not be moved just like a pot which has a hole.[12]]
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Summary: It is only permitted to move a pot plant from one area to another if all the following conditions are fulfilled: 1. The pot does not contain a breathing hole 2. The plant in the pot does not hover over the earth past the boundary of the pod. 3. The pot is made of metal or glass; not earthenware or wood 4. One is moving it to use its space or to use in a different area. However, one may not do so to save it from damage.[13]
Q&A How large does the hole of a pot have to be for it to be considered a breathing hole? Some Poskim[14] rule if the hole is two square cm. then it is large enough to be considered a breathing hole. Others[15] rule it is the amount of space for a small root to protrude through the hole.
What is the status if the pot only has a hole on its side and not on its bottom?[16] If the hole is within the level of the earth contained within the pot, the pot is considered to have a breathing hole.
May one move a pot plant within one’s house?[17] Yes. This applies even if the pot has a hole.[18] [If, however, the pot is on the porch and hovers over the earth, then it is forbidden to be moved.]
Is a pot plant considered Muktzah and thus even when allowed to be moved, it is only to be moved in ways permitted by Muktzah? All pots which may be moved, as explained above, are considered MM”I and hence may only be moved to use their space or to use in a different area, and not to save from damage.[19] However, there are Poskim[20] who rule they are completely Muktzah and may not be moved for any reason. This especially applies by expensive plant pots which are given a designated place and are not moved from there.[21] [However, seemingly according to Admur, even in such a case the pot would only be MM”I-See our Sefer “The Laws of Shabbos” Volume 1 The Laws of Muktzah.]
May one move a tree which grows in a pot in one’s house?[22] If the tree is three Tefach [24 cm] tall, then one may not make use of it from three Tefach and above. Hence, such a pot may not be moved even within one’s house, as doing so is considered making a use of it.
May one move a pot plant from on the earth or on a peg into one’s home or vice versa? It is only permitted to move a pot from inside to outside or vice versa if all the following conditions are fulfilled: 1. The pot does not contain a breathing hole 2. The plant in the pot does not hover over the earth past the boundary of the pod. 3. The pot is made of metal or glass; not earthenware or wood 4. One is not doing so in order to enhance the growth of the plant, such as to protect them from sun or rain.
May one move a pot plant from one area of the earth to another?[23] No. However there are Poskim who rule that it is allowed.
May one move a pot that is sitting on a tray together with its tray?[24] It is always permitted to move a pot together with its metal or glass tray even if the pod contains breathing holes, as the tray blocks the pot from nurturing from the ground. It is however forbidden to lift the pot off from the tray, as explained above regarding moving a pot from one area to another.
Q&A relating to pot plants growing in one’s house: May one open the window to allow the plants to breath fresh air, or for rain to fall on them?[25] No.[26] [However, one may open the window for other purposes even though this will consequently allow the plant to breathe fresh air.[27]]
May one close the window to prevent the cold air from damaging the plants?[28] No.
May one cover plants to protect them from the cold?[29] No.
May one move the plants towards the sun to allow them to further grow?[30] No.
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4. Placing flowers and plants into water on Shabbos:[31]
Branches [and flowers] which have been designated before Shabbos for a specific use in a way that they are no longer considered Muktzah[32], may be entered into a bucket or vase of water on Shabbos[33], if the water was placed into the vase or bucket from before Shabbos.[34] It is however forbidden to place water in a vase or bucket on Shabbos [or Yom Tov[35]] for the purpose of placing the branch in it.[36] Furthermore, if the branch contains flowers or buds [which are not fully open] it is forbidden to place them in water at all on Shabbos being that the moisture of the water causes the flowers to further open.[37]
Adding water to the vase: In all cases, it is forbidden to add water to the vase on Shabbos.[38] However, on Yom Tov, it is permitted to add water to the vase[39] [if the plants do not contain flowers or pellets that are not fully open]. [Some Poskim[40] however limit this allowance of adding water on Yom Tov to only up until half of the current amount of water found in the vase. It is however forbidden even on Yom Tov to add more water than the vase originally contained.]
Switching the waters: It is forbidden to switch the waters of the vase/bucket in all cases, whether Shabbos or Yom Tov.[41]
- Example-Placing flowers into a water vase: Flowers which were designated to beautify the home, such as flowers bought for Shabbos, are not Muktzah and may be entered into water on Shabbos, if the water was prepared from before Shabbos, and the flowers will not further open due to the water.
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Summary: It is only permitted to enter plants and flowers into water on Shabbos or Yom Tov if:
Q&A May one sprinkle water onto detached flowers and plants? This matter requires further analyses.[42]
May one move the flowers towards the sun in order for them to open?[43] No.
May one remove plants from the water on Shabbos? Yes. This applies even to flowers. If, however, the plant stayed in the water long enough to begin rooting, then it is forbidden.
May one make a flower bouquet on Shabbos? Some Poskim[44] rule it is forbidden to do so.[45] This is forbidden to be done even if one does not tie the flowers together and simply places them in the same vase.
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[1] Admur 494:14
[2] Michaber 323:5
[3] They are not Muktzah, as one has not removed his mind from them. [M”B 322:15]
[4] As the area gives off a greater scent when it is plucked off or rubbed. [M”B 322:17]
[5] M”B 322:17; As if this were to be allowed one may come to do so to make a use out of the cut item, such as to use as a toothpick, and transgress the prohibition of Tikkun Keli. [M”B ibid in name of Rashal. However, the Taz [322:3] rules one may cut it with a knife in order to smell.]
[6] Admur 336:12
[7] The reason: By doing so, one is not Biblically liable for the planting prohibition being that the pod was already able to breathe the moisture of the earth through its hole even while standing on the peg, and hence was already considered attached to the earth. Nevertheless, this is Rabbinically forbidden being that it is similar to planting. [ibid]
[8] The reason: By doing so one is not Biblically liable for the uprooting of a plant prohibition being that the pod is still able to breathe the moisture of the earth through its hole even while standing on the peg, and hence it is still considered attached to the earth. Nevertheless, this is Rabbinically forbidden being that it is similar to uprooting. [ibid]
[9] So is implied from Admur 312:6, and so brings Ketzos Hashulchan 142 footnote 5 in his conclusion of his analysis on this subject as a proof for it being forbidden. So rules Meiri.
Other Poskim: Some Poskim rule it is permitted to move the pod from one area of earth to another. [Sheivisas Shabbos; Minchas Pitim and Tehila Ledavid 336:6; See Ketzos Hashulchan 142 footnote 5 for analysis of above]
[10] Ideally, a pot without a breathing hole is allowed to be uprooted from one area to another. However, Admur, records a dispute regarding as to which type of pot this allowance refers to: The first opinion [Stam-Rashi] rules if the pot is made of wood, then if it contains no holes it is permitted to be moved from the pegs onto the ground or vice versa. However, if made of earthenware. it may not be moved, as even if it does not contain a hole, it is considered as if it has holes, being that earthenware is a breathable material, and hence the plants that are in it nurture from the ground through the earthenware. Other opinions [Rabbeinu Tam] however explain the opposite; if the pot is made of earthenware then it is allowed to be moved if it does not contain holes. If, however, it is made of wood, then even if it does not contain holes, nevertheless, its plants are able to nurture from the ground through it. Practically, Admur concludes one is to suspect for both opinions and hence beware from moving either an earthenware pot or wood pot even if they contain no holes. [ibid]
[11] Ketzos Hashulchan 142 footnote 5
[12] Ketzos Hashulchan ibid in name of Iglei Tal
[13] See Q&A below.
[14] Minchas Yitzchak 8:92
[15] M”B 336:42
[16] M”B 336:42
[17] Bris Olam Kotzeir 15
[18] As the floors are well sealed and prevent the pot from nurturing from the ground.
[19] Shevisas Shabbos brought in Ketzos Hashulchan 142 footnote 5
[20] Kalkeles Shabbos Zoreia
[21] Az Nidbaru 1:15
[22] Az Nidbaru 1:14
[23] See above and footnote there.
[24] Ketzos Hashulchan 142 footnote 2 and 5
[25] Ketzos Hashulchan 142 footnote 18 in name of Shevisas Shabbos
[26] As doing so causes them to grow.
[27] Har Tzevi 2:11 brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 336:11
[28] Ketzos Hashulchan 142 footnote 18 in name of Shevisas Shabbos
[29] Ketzos Hashulchan 142 footnote 18 in name of Shevisas Shabbos
[30] Piskeiy Teshuvos 336:11
[31] Admur 336:18
[32] Being that the designation has given them a status of a vessel. [ibid]
[33] Meaning not only may they be returned to a vase if they were removed from it on Shabbos, but one may even initially place the plant into the vase on Shabbos for the first time, if it contained water from before Shabbos. [so is understood from Admur ibid, and so understands M”B 336:54 in Shaareiy Tziyon 48 to be the opinion of Admur, and so understands also Kaf Hachaim 336:75 to be the opinion of Admur. So also rules Peri Megadim A”A 336:13; Bekureiy Yaakov 654:2; and so leans the M”B in Shaareiy Tziyon to be lenient]
Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule it is forbidden to place the branch into the vase for the first time on Shabbos and only if it was removed from the water on Shabbos may it be returned to it. [first opinion in M”B 336:54 in name of Chayeh Adam 11:3; Tosefes Shabbos 336:21; Kapos Temarim brought in Kaf Hachaim 336:75; 654:4 and so rules Kaf Hachaim ibid] Regarding placing the plant for the first time on Yom Tov, it is allowed to be done, as even the above Poskim were only stringent regarding Shabbos. [So rules Kaf Hachaim 654:4 and Kapos Temarim ibid]
[34] So is implied from Admur ibid that it has to be placed before Shabbos and so rules M”B 336:54 explicitly.
[35] Bekureiy Yaakov 654:2; Kaf Hachaim 336:79; In 336:18 Admur does not explicitly mention Yom Tov, although he also does not differentiate in this aspect.
[36] So is implied from Admur ibid as stated above and so rules Kaf Hachaim 336:79. The reason for this is because one is troubling himself to “fix” the plant and it is thus similar to the prohibition of switching waters.
[37] If however the flowers are already fully open, there is no prohibition to place them into water, as explained above.
Other Poskim: Some Poskim rule it is permitted to place roses and other flowers into the water as even if they open it is merely revealing that which was already concealed and only by grains and the like which actually root in water was it forbidden. [Kaf Hachaim 336:77]
[38] As it is forbidden to trouble oneself to fix a vessel. [ibid] Meaning watering the plants is like he is trying to fix them.
[39] Admur 654:1; In Admur here he records, “and Yom Tov” regarding the prohibition of adding water to the vase. However, in Likkutei Sichos 21 p. 385 the Rebbe notes that it is a printing error and really it should read “and change the water on Yom Tov”. However, to add water on Yom Tov is permitted, as is explained in 654:1
[40] Aruch Hashulchan 654:2
[41] As this switching of water involves a greater trouble than simply adding water, and is hence forbidden to be done even on Yom Tov. [Kaf Hachaim 654:4 in name of Peri Megadim]
[42] On the one hand, it is forbidden to initially place water into a vase due to Tikkun Maneh, and hence here too it should seemingly be forbidden. On the other hand, perhaps it only applies when placing water into a vase being it is a greater trouble than simply sprinkling it. To note that SSH”K 26 footnote 97 allows dripping water onto the Lulav and dry cloth in order to wet it, hence implying such a matter has no prohibition of Tikkun Maneh.
[43] Piskeiy Teshuvos 336:11
[44] Igros Moshe 4:73
[45] This is forbidden due to fixing a vessel, as the gathering of the different flowers to make a bouquet is considered making a nice vessel out of the flowers. [ibid] However, see Ketzos Hashulchan 8 p. 92 who seems to imply that the only question involved in gathering the flowers together is the prohibition of Miameir. However, when done outside of the area of growth, such as in one’s home, it is permitted. This implies that doing so does not carry the Tikkun Keli prohibition. Furthermore, it requires further analysis on the essence of the logic to consider simply placing flowers near each other as Tikkun Keli. It does not appear at all like one is making a Keli. This is unlike a necklace which when one enters the beads it is clearly apparent as if one is making a Keli. Vetzaruch Iyun.
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