planted

Planted is the past tense and past participle of the verb plant. It describes the act of putting a seed, seedling, or cutting into soil or another growing medium so it can germinate and grow. As an adjective, planted can describe something that has been sown or set in place, for example a field that is planted or a garden bed that has been planted.

In horticulture and agriculture, planting encompasses sowing seeds and transplanting young plants. Methods vary by species and purpose, including direct sowing, transplanting seedlings, and using cuttings. Successful planting depends on factors such as soil preparation, depth, spacing, moisture, and timing relative to climate and seasons. In forestry and reforestation, planting is used to establish new stands. Advances include containerized seedlings, soil amendments, and precision planting technologies.

Figurative uses include “to plant a seed” or “to plant an idea”—to introduce something that will grow in someone’s mind. In more negative contexts, “to plant” can refer to the act of placing evidence at a crime scene, an illegal act known as planting evidence. The term is also used in journalism and politics to describe staged or deliberate placements intended to influence perception.