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Moving House Plants
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If you are planning to bring your house and garden plants with you, you’ll want to follow a few steps to insure they survive the trip.
Before the Move
If you are moving to a different state, you’ll need to find out that state’s requirements for bringing in plants. California, Arizona and Florida typically have the most rigid restrictions, but most states do allow only plants grown indoors in sterilized soil. For outdoor plants, you may opt to bring clippings (see below) instead of the entire plant. If you find your state’s restrictions are doable and decide to move your indoor plants, here is a checklist to help you prepare them.
- Repot any plants that are in breakable containers at least three weeks before you go. The new pot should be plastic and the same size as the old pot; plants may not respond kindly to increasing pot size.
- Two weeks before moving day prune all your larger plants, with the exception of succulents and ferns. Pruning will both make for easier packing, and produce new growth.
- Rid your plants of any insects or plant parasites about one week before moving day. You can use insecticides (with caution) or you can place plants in a black plastic bag containing a pest strip, bug powder or a flea collar. Close the bag and keep overnight in a cool place. This should eliminate any unwanted pests.
Moving Day
- Pack your plants, the morning of or the night before your move, in a sturdy cardboard box with a lid. To anchor them securely, use packing peanuts or wadded newsprint around the base of each plant. You can also use a wet paper towel to cover the leaves of the plant, keeping it moist and protected. Finally, punch air holes in the sides and lid of the box. Make sure the boxes stay upright and clearly mark them so they are not packed into the moving van.
- Always transport your plants in your own car. Moving vans can be stifling hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter.
- While on the road, place your boxes of plants somewhere that they won’t get crushed. Remember that heat or cold or lack of fresh air can damage the plants, so when parking your car, park in the shade if it’s hot outside, or in the sun if it is cold.
- When you arrive at your new location, unpack your plants as soon as possible. Try placing them somewhere they can remain still for a few days while they acclimate to their new surroundings.
Special Instructions for Clippings
If you are forbidden from bringing your garden plants but would like to bring clippings, simply wrap those clippings in wet moss and newspaper and place them in unsealed baggies. Next, place the baggies in a cardboard box filled with light packing material such as packing peanuts. The cuttings should be fine for several days.
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