Plants and Flowers on Shabbos

For shabbos we want to use plants instead of flowers on the tables. We r concerned that laws of muksa are different. 1. Can we use. 2. If yes what procedures would be different to move on shabbos off the tables? Thank u

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

Here is a general overview regarding plants and flowers on Shabbos:

Flowers that were prepared in a vase before Shabbos are not muktza and may be handled and moved. Leaves that fell from flowers are indeed muktza. So too, flowers may even be removed from their water unless there are roots growing from the bottom of the stem.

Flowers that are not yet in full bloom may not be placed in or returned to water on Shabbos. However, if they are in full bloom and were in water before Shabbos began, one is permitted to return them to the same original water or to another vase which has water from before Shabbos.

Plants, on the other hand, are considered to be muktza on Shabbos and Yom Tov and may not be moved at all though it is permitted to smell them without moving them if they have a nice smell.

However, since the plant is considered to be a kli shemelachto l’issur (since watering them or picking them is prohibited) one may move it if one needs the space it occupies. 

However, due to melacha related issues such as Kotzer or Zore'ah. Le'halacha even if the flower pot is not perforated, it is considered attached to the ground, so if one needs the space one may only move it along the ground with ones foot without picking it up, So too, if it is on the table one may move it along the table, if he needs the space, but one may not remove it from the table.

OC 308 and 336 with commentaries.