Flowers and Plants on Shabbos and Yom Tov
Question:
What are the Halachos I should be aware of regarding flowers and plants (vases) on Shabbos and Yom Tov – in terms of moving, removing, adding/changing the water, etc.?
Answer:
Moving flowers (or the vase):
Flowers and decorative leaves or branches which were cut and arranged prior to Shabbos or Yom Tov are regarded as a decoration and are not Muktzeh. They may be handled directly. However, if some of the flowers are not yet in full bloom, some suggest that care must be taken to ensure that moving them will not change their position in relation to the water level, as this might induce them to blossom further. This suggestion is highly questionable.
Leaves etc. that fell from the flowers on Shabbos or Yom Tov are considered Muktzeh and thus may not be moved.
[Source: OC 308:55, 336:18.]
Removing flowers from water:
This is permissible regardless of whether the flowers are in full bloom or not. It is forbidden only if the stems of the flowers have roots, or have started producing roots.
[Sources: Shmiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 26:26, Piksei Teshuvos 336:21.]
Placing/Returning flowers to water:
Flowers that are not yet in full bloom may not be placed or returned to water.
If, however, they are already in full bloom and exposure to additional moisture will not induce them to blossom further, one may place/return them:
- To the same original vase, as long as the original water was not changed or added to on Shabbos.
- To another vase which already has flowers in it from before Shabbos, as long as the original water was not changed or added to on Shabbos.
- To another vase if it was prepared and filled with water before Shabbos, and no water was added on Shabbos.
[Sources: 336:18, see Piskei Teshuvos 336:21 for divergent opinions.]
Adding or changing the water:
One may not change the water on Shabbos or Yom Tov.
Regarding adding water to the vase, it is only permitted on Yom Tov (but not on Shabbos) and provided that: the vase only contains blooms that are not stimulated to open by water, and that one is not adding more than half of the existing volume of water.
Plants:
Plants (flowering or not) are muktzah on Shabbos and Yom Tov and may not be moved at all. Those that have a scent may be smelled on Shabbos and Yom Tov, for that is a pleasure that would not necessarily cause a person to detach them from the earth. However, scented plants that are edible, and may be used in food preparation, may not be sniffed at on Shabbos and Yom Tov.
בכל הנ״ל ראה בארוכה הנסמן בלוח יומי לחה״ש ע׳ כ-כא.
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