Cool Castellano – To Leave Someone Planted!

“Plantar” and “Dejar Plantado” in Spanish: When a Date Doesn’t Happen

In everyday Spanish, especially in Buenos Aires, the verb plantar takes on a meaning that goes far beyond gardening. Yes, plantar literally means “to plant,” as in putting a plant into soil. But in colloquial speech, it becomes a vivid metaphor for something much less green and much more social: standing someone up.

Key Expression: “Dejar plantado/a”

• Meaning: To stand someone up; to not show up to a date or meeting.
• Structure:

• Yo dejo plantado a alguien → I stand someone up.
• Me dejó plantado/a → They stood me up.

Why “plantado”?

Imagine a plant sitting there, rooted in place, waiting.
Now imagine you are that plant, stuck, waiting for someone who never arrives.
That’s the image behind the expression.

Examples

• “Me dejó plantado en el bar.”
  They stood me up at the bar.
• “La cité a las 10, pero nunca fui. La planté.”
  I set up a date for 10, but I never went. I stood her up.

Pronunciation Tip (Castellano Flow)

In Rioplatense Spanish, dejar isn’t pronounced like de-jar.
The j is softer, the vowels flow, and the whole phrase becomes smoother:
“Me dejó plantado.”

Why it’s a fun expression

It’s playful, visual, and very porteño.
And once you hear it, you’ll never forget it, because nobody wants to be the plant waiting alone at dinner.