Introduction
Moving is often cited as one of life’s most stressful events. Add to that the responsibility of transporting your beloved houseplants, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. As plant parents, we understand the emotional connection you have with your green companions, and the desire to keep them safe and healthy during a move. Houseplants contribute to our well-being, bringing a sense of calm and cheerfulness to our homes. This guide will provide you with expert tips, best practices, and actionable insights to make the process of moving your plants as smooth and stress-free as possible. Moving plants requires careful planning and execution, and we’re here to help you navigate every step of the journey.
Planning Your Plant Move: Weeks Before Moving Day
Assess and Prepare Your Plants
- Check for state and country regulations: Before you pack a single pot, it’s critical to check if there are any restrictions on bringing plants into your new state or country. Some regions have strict regulations to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, which can be particularly damaging to local ecosystems. For example, states like California, Florida, and Idaho have strict rules to protect their agriculture. Contact the State Department of Agriculture in your destination to verify any specific guidelines. It’s important to be prepared to show documentation for your plants if your truck is stopped or inspected.
- Evaluate your new climate: Different plants have different needs regarding sunlight, temperature, and humidity. Research if your plants are suited for your new environment. For instance, some succulents may thrive in hot climates but not in cold ones. Consult a local gardening center for advice on the ideal conditions for your specific plants.
- Decide which plants to take, sell, or gift: It can be emotionally difficult to leave plants behind. If your plants are not likely to survive the move or adapt to the new climate, consider offering them to friends, family, or other plant lovers. This can help ease the stress of the move and ensure your plants find a good home.
Logistics and Timing
- Moving company policies: Many moving companies will not move plants due to the risk of damage or the spread of plant diseases. Moving companies also do not want the liability of transporting living beings. When getting quotes from movers, always ask about their specific policies and if they charge extra for transporting plants.
- Choosing transportation: You’ll need to figure out how to physically get your plants to your new home. Options include personal vehicles and rental trucks. For small moves, plants can travel in your car, but for larger collections, consider a moving van or truck.
- Repotting: To prevent damage to your plants, repot them into shatterproof plastic pots about 2-3 weeks before your move. This will help prevent root damage if a ceramic pot breaks during the move. You can pack your original pots separately, wrapped in bubble wrap or other protective material.
- Pruning: Prune larger plants to make them more compact and easier to handle. Pinch back new growth and remove any dead leaves, limbs, and flowers with sharp scissors or gardening shears. Do not prune ferns and succulents.
- Plant Maintenance: About a week before moving, check your plants for any insects or parasites. If you use insecticides, apply them carefully following the label directions and make a plan for getting rid of any pesticides before you move, as they are usually not allowed on moving trucks. Also, remove any dead or diseased parts of the plant.
Packing Your Plants: Days Before the Move
Watering
- Hydration: Make sure your plants are well-hydrated before packing them. Water them according to their needs, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
- Ice Cubes: For longer trips, consider using ice cubes in the pots. As they melt, they provide a slow, steady source of water. This is particularly useful for multi-day trips.
- Self-watering Planters: You can also use self-watering planters or add peat moss on top of the soil, especially for larger plants, to help retain moisture longer.
Protecting the Foliage and Pots
- Wrapping: Protect your plants with newspaper, tissue paper, or craft paper to prevent damage to their foliage. Start at the bottom of the pot and gently wrap your way up, securing with tape. This method allows the plant to breathe while keeping moisture in the soil.
- Securing Pots: Wrap each pot with bubble wrap or place them in plastic bags to prevent soil from spilling during transit. Be sure to wrap only the pot, not the entire plant.
- Boxing: Use cardboard boxes that snugly fit the plants. Line the bottoms with plastic to prevent the box from falling apart if moisture leaks. Use packing paper, bubble wrap, or other filler to secure the pots in the boxes and keep them from moving.
Additional Packing Tips
- Airflow: Remember to punch air holes in the sides of the boxes to ensure your plants can breathe. Do not completely seal the boxes.
- Labeling: Clearly label each box with the plant name, and its destination room. Also include a priority for unpacking so that more delicate plants are unpacked first.
- Keeping plants upright: To keep plants from getting damaged, tape the sides of the box up to not closed.
Transporting Your Plants: During the Move
Temperature and Light Control
- Ideal Temperature: Tropical houseplants require temperatures between 60-85°F. Avoid exposing them to temperatures outside of this range to prevent foliage or root damage.
- Heat: Never leave plants in a hot car, where they can become stressed. Heat inside a moving truck can be detrimental to plants.
- Sunlight: Most houseplants do not handle direct sunlight well. If plants are in your car, use sheer shades on the windows or cover the plants with a lightweight sheet.
- Cold: If moving in cold weather, make sure to protect your plants from freezing temperatures. Do not let the plants sit in freezing temperatures for more than a few minutes.
Securing Plants in the Vehicle
- Car Transport: When transporting plants in a car, place them in the main cabin instead of the trunk, where it can get too hot. Use seatbelts to secure the boxes and keep them from tipping over.
- Moving Trucks and Vans: Pack plants tightly together in wide boxes, using other boxes around them to prevent shifting. For taller plants, wrap a garbage bag tightly around the pot, closing the top of the bag above the soil line, so when the plant is tipped, the soil will stay in the bag instead of spilling into your vehicle. Secure larger pots to the floor of the vehicle to keep them stable during transit. Cushion the pots with blankets, clothing, or other soft materials.
Long Distance Moves
- Multi-day trips: If you’re on a multi-day trip, bring your plants into your hotel or lodging overnight. This will protect them from extreme temperatures. You may also crack the windows for ventilation and to reduce heat buildup during stops.
Creative Solutions for Many Plants
- Plastic Bins: Use clear plastic bins to store and transport smaller plants as they are stackable. Use cardboard layers inside with newspaper to secure the pots.
- Tote Bags: Large tote bags are good for transporting tall plants. Use a cardboard base in the bag, and tape the pots to it. Stuff the bag with newspaper or other material to secure the plants.
- U-Hauls: Rent a U-Haul if you have many large plants to move.
- Laundry Baskets: Use laundry baskets for moving smaller plants.
- Grow Lights: Consider using rechargeable grow lights to help with the lighting issue during long trips.
Creative Solutions for Large Plants
- Paper Sleeves: Use large paper sleeves from nurseries or garden centers to cover large plants. Tape the sleeves in place, using more than one if necessary.
- Trash Cans: Use large gray trash cans to move your larger plants, wrapping the leaves in paper for protection.
- Cling Wrap: Wrap the pot and soil with plastic cling wrap to keep it all in place.
- Reinforce Stems: Use rods or sticks to support the plant’s stems and prevent damage during the move.
- Make a Large Sleeve: Use old sheets or drop cloths to create a large sleeve to protect your plant, stapling it to the fabric to form a cone.
Settling In: Post-Move Plant Care
Unpacking and Initial Placement
- Unpack ASAP: Unpack your plants as soon as you arrive at your new home. Remove plants from the boxes through the bottom to avoid breaking any leaves or branches.
- Placement: Place your plants in areas where they will get appropriate light and temperature conditions. Do not move them around until they become acclimated to their new environment.
Monitoring and Recovery
- Transit Shock: Moving can stress plants. They may experience what is known as “transplant shock”.
- Initial Signs of Stress: Look for signs of wilting or leaf drop. Plants may take some time to recover from the stress of moving.
- Long-Term Care: Avoid repotting, fertilizing, or propagating in the 2-4 weeks before and after moving to minimize stress.
- Basic Needs: Make sure your plants get enough light and water.
- Maintenance: Remove any dead or dying leaves.
- Patience: It may take weeks or months for your plants to fully recover.
- Fertilizer: If your plant appears unhealthy, use a small amount of fertilizer to help them recover.
Addressing Common Challenges
Moving in Extreme Weather
- Hot Weather: If moving in extreme heat, delay the move or transport the plants at night. Never leave them in a hot car or moving truck.
- Cold Weather: Wrap your plants in cloth for short walks from the car into your home.
Dealing with Pests or Diseases
- Check for Pests: Be sure to check for pests before moving, and treat them as necessary.
- Quarantine: Keep infested plants quarantined from other plants, to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
When Plants Don’t Survive
- Reassurance: Sometimes, despite your best efforts, plants may not survive the move. It’s important to know that this is not uncommon.
- Coping Strategies: Focus on creating a positive environment for new plants in your new space.
Sustainable Plant Moving
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Use recyclable or reusable materials.
- Alternatives to plastic wrap: Consider using cloth or paper instead of plastic wrap.
Conclusion
Moving houseplants can seem like a daunting task, but with careful planning and preparation, it is possible to move your plants successfully. Plants are more resilient than you think, and with the right care, they’ll be ready to thrive in your new home. Enjoy your green companions in your new space, knowing you did everything you could to ensure they made the journey safely.