Piantine

Piantine is the plural form of piantina, a term used in horticulture and agriculture to designate young plants that have been propagated in a nursery and are ready for transplantation. A piantina is typically produced from seeds or cuttings and grown under controlled conditions in pots, trays, or plug beds until it reaches a transplantable size. The term is commonly applied to vegetable seedlings as well as to herb and ornamental species.

In farming and gardening, piantine allow earlier seeding and more uniform establishment, reducing the lag between sowing and field planting. After reaching the appropriate size, the plants are transplanted into the field, garden beds, or final growing systems. Nursery practices emphasize vigor, healthy root systems, and freedom from disease; quality is judged by uniform height, robust foliage, and strong roots. Piantine are often sold in seedling trays or bundles with their root plugs intact, to minimize transplant shock.

Terminology and usage vary by region, but the concept is widely used in Italian horticulture and is common in Mediterranean agriculture. The term is applied across crops, including vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals, and is closely linked to nursery trade and seedling production. In practice, piantine serve as an intermediate stage between seed sowing and full crop establishment, enabling more controlled and efficient cultivation.