(かんようしょくぶつ)

かんようしょくぶつ
noun
houseplant; foliage plant
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(かんようしょくぶつ)(そだ)てる。
To grow a houseplant.
オフィスに観葉植物(かんようしょくぶつ)()くと雰囲気(ふんいき)がよくなる。
Placing houseplants in the office improves the atmosphere.
観葉植物(かんようしょくぶつ)(みず)のやりすぎに注意(ちゅうい)必要(ひつよう)だ。
With houseplants, you need to be careful not to overwater them.

Composed of 観葉(かんよう) (leaf-viewing) + 植物(しょくぶつ) (plant). Literally "plant for enjoying foliage." Sometimes abbreviated to 観葉(かんよう) 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(かんようしょくぶつ)(そだ)てる: to grow houseplants
  • 観葉植物(かんようしょくぶつ)()く: to place houseplants
  • 観葉植物(かんようしょくぶつ)(みず)をやる: to water houseplants

CULTURE:
Often given as housewarming (()()(いわ)い) or store-opening gifts in Japan.