How to Move Plants: A Guide to Moving Your Plants

Moving your houseplants or indoor plants from one location to another can be difficult, especially across long distances. With a little preparation, you can make sure your plants stay healthy across long distances and end up at their new home.

• Consider the climate of your new home. Before you even begin preparing any outdoor plants to move, consider the climate and light requirements of your plants and if the new state or location can sustain them. Consider the soil, climate, USDA hardiness zone, light, and precipitation levels of your new home when you’re deciding whether or not to move your plants.
• Check your state laws. Research the agricultural policies of the state you’re moving to with regard to moving plants. Many places will discourage moving plants across state borders to prevent the spread of invasive plants or pests and diseases. Do not move your plants if they cannot legally be transferred across state lines or country borders. Obtain a State Phytosanitary Certificate with your local department of agriculture to verify that you can legally move your plants.
• Trim and prune your plants before moving them. Trim any dead leaves or damaged stems off of your plants before you begin to pack them. Check the entire plant for signs of pests or disease, and wipe off any dust on the leaves. You will want your plants to be as healthy as possible before you move them. If your plant has any signs of disease, do not risk moving it.
• Transfer your plants to plastic pots with sterile soil. Replant any plants you want to move in a plastic grower pot filled with sterile soil about a week or so before you plan to move your plants. Plastic pots are much less likely to break during a move than terracotta pots and will often fit into tighter spots more easily. Sterile soil cuts down on the likelihood that you will transport any diseases or pests to your next location. Be gentle when you replant your plants and be sure not to damage the root ball when transferring them.
• Water your plant a few days before moving it. Water your plants about one to three days before you plan to move them. This will help the potting soil remain moist but not oversaturated with water as your plant is transferred. Consider the time of year and how hot or cold it is (plants that are moved during warm weather will need slightly more moisture, and plants moved during the cold months will need less. Water your plants early enough so that the soil is just barely damp when you move them.
• Prepare your plant’s new habitat. If you can, try to have a space already prepared for your plants in your new location. Set them on a table where they can receive an optimal amount of light. Have humidifiers or grow lights set up when you arrive.

Most moving companies won’t transfer plants due to the complicated state laws that restrict which plants can be brought in or out. With that in mind, the best method for moving your plants may be to transport them in your own car. Whether you’re using a rental truck or your own personal vehicle to move your plants, there are a few moving tips to consider when transporting your plants to keep them from getting damaged.

• Keep them in the front seat. Place your plants in the front seat or the back seat of your car where they will receive sunlight from the windows. You can also regulate the temperature with the AC and keep them out of the wind. Avoid placing them in the trunk where there is no airflow, or in the bed of a pickup truck where they could be exposed to wind.
• Box and pack your plants carefully. You will want to pack and wrap your plants in a secure way to limit movement during travel. Pack small plants inside of a moving box with cardboard dividers or wrap them in tight with wads of newspaper, packing paper, or burlap. Try using a plastic grocery bag to contain larger plants or buckle them in with a seatbelt.
• Pack your plants into the car last. Make your plants the last thing you pack in your vehicle to limit the amount of time they spend in the car. This will also prevent them from getting squished by other bags or boxes you put in the vehicle.

You can ship most plants by mail through the US Postal Service, plant shipping services, or your local florist as long as there are no state restrictions on transporting your plant. When you’re shipping live plants, keep in mind that they may get damaged in transit. It could take up to a week for plants to arrive, especially if there are delays. The best type of plants to ship are succulents and other small, compact plants that don’t require constant watering or attention. Otherwise, here are a few tips for shipping plants in the mail.

• Choose the fastest shipping option. You want your plants to get to their new destination as fast as possible to limit any potential damage. Choose the fastest shipping option (like priority mail), but be prepared for delays and interruptions that could make the plant be in transit for extra days. Track your shipment so you can know when your plant will arrive.
• Pack your plant properly. Pack your plant thoroughly to prevent any breakage or damage. Wrap your plant multiple times in bubble wrap and then secure them in a cardboard box. For large plants or potted plants, you can wrap the base in a plastic bag to prevent soil from escaping and secure it with packing material. On the outside of the box, write the words “fragile” or “live plant” so the carrier knows to handle the package with care. Poke some holes in the top of the box to allow for ventilation.
• Create a moist environment. For plants that like humidity or require constant watering, consider wrapping the root ball of your plant in moist paper towels followed by a layer of plastic wrap and a rubber band to seal it in, leaving the top of the plant open. You can ship the plant without soil this way and the plant will be smaller and easier to pack.

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