Abstract: System (1) and method for removing plants from a cultivation area (2) or, alternatively, placing plants therein. Such plants are preferably pot plants, but can also be other plants, for example placed in trays. A feed/removal belt (4) extends along the cultivation surface (2). Perpendicularly thereto there is a branch conveyor (17), likewise constructed as a conveyor belt. A much wider collection belt (5) is arranged, once again perpendicular thereto, that is to say parallel to the feed/removal conveyors (4). Interacting with this there is a distribution device (6) that extends over the depth of the cultivation surface (2) and has a fork (16) which is able to remove the plants from the collection conveyor (5) or, alternatively, place them thereon and set them down on the cultivation surface (2) or pick them therefrom, respectively.