1.
houseplant; foliage plant; ornamental plant
A plant grown indoors primarily for its attractive leaves rather than flowers. Popular for home and office decoration in Japan.
観葉植物を育てる。
To grow a houseplant.
オフィスに観葉植物を置くと雰囲気がよくなる。
Placing houseplants in the office improves the atmosphere.
観葉植物は水のやりすぎに注意が必要だ。
With houseplants, you need to be careful not to overwater them.
Composed of 観葉 (leaf-viewing) + 植物 (plant). Literally "plant for enjoying foliage." Sometimes abbreviated to 観葉 in casual speech.
POPULAR VARIETIES IN JAPAN:
- モンステラ (monstera)
- パキラ (pachira)
- ポトス (pothos)
- ガジュマル (banyan fig)
- サンスベリア (snake plant)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 観葉植物を育てる: to grow houseplants
- 観葉植物を置く: to place houseplants
- 観葉植物に水をやる: to water houseplants
CULTURE:
Often given as housewarming (引っ越し祝い) or store-opening gifts in Japan.