As you prepare for your move you have probably thought about everything you have to pack from dishes and kitchen gadgets to furniture and clothing. Most people have a plan in place for these items and collect all of the necessary supplies to properly pack and move these common household belongings. But, what about your houseplants? Chances are you may have forgotten about your houseplants amidst the chaos and confusion of packing everything else. The fact is, however, that houseplants are living organisms that require special care and attention if you plan to transport them from one place to another.

Packing and moving fragile and delicate items is a challenge, but moving houseplants that are sensitive to their surroundings can be even harder. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead so you can be properly prepared to transport your houseplants to your new home.

Moving to another state? Be familiar with laws and growing conditions.

If you are embarking on an interstate move, you may face some restrictions on which plants you are allowed to bring. Some states have specific laws and regulations concerning which plants are permitted in the area. Therefore, you should definitely check with your new home state’s requirements before bringing your plants.

In addition to laws and regulations, you also want to consider the climate of your new state. Some plants won’t be able to tolerate the humidity levels or temperatures in certain areas. Even plants that are kept indoors can be affected by dry or moist conditions. You can use a resource such as a plant hardiness zone map to determine whether or not your plants will thrive in that area.

Packing plants for a move

It is not ideal to transport plants in a moving truck or shipping container due to lack of airflow, water, and sunlight. In fact, many moving and shipping companies include plants on their list of items that cannot be transported. Your best bet is to personally transport your plants in your own vehicle but there are ways to ship your plants if you must. Consider the following tips as you prepare your plants for relocation.

Gather the right supplies

In order to successfully transport your plants, you will need to gather the right supplies. Here are a few specific items that you will need to move your plants.

• Plastic pots
• Moving boxes
• Bubble wrap
• Packing paper
• Sterilized potting soil
• Plastic bags and ties
• Flea collar

Prepare your plants

It is important to note that plants take time to transition, so you need to begin preparing for your move about three weeks ahead of time.

• A few weeks before, repot your houseplants into lightweight plastic pots with sterilized potting soil. This will be much easier to move than heavy ceramic pots.
• Carefully wrap your ceramic pots with bubble wrap and secure with packing tape.
• About a week before the move, prune your houseplants and cut away and dead leaves to get the plant in tip top condition for the move.
• A couple of days before the move, water each plant so they won’t be too damp during the move and leak water. Most houseplants only need water about once every 7-10 days so they should be fine for the next few days.
• Since houseplants can also harbor pests, you want to place a flea collar around the pot of your house plant prior to moving day to rid your plant of any unwanted pests.

Pack them carefully

 -On the day of your move, carefully wrap each plant with a plastic bag and tie it at the base of the pot to prevent soil from spilling out.

-Then, place each plant in a moving box. Larger plants should be packed in their own box but you can place smaller plants together in a box. One the plants are placed inside the box, fill the empty space between the pots and the box with packing paper or bubble wrap.

How to move plants

The best way to transport your plants to a new location is to place them in your vehicle and personally transport them yourself. This way allows you to care for your plants while in transit and provide them with water and sunlight during the trip. If transporting your own plants is not an option, there are ways to ship them. You can normally bring houseplants on an airplane as long as they comply with TSA rules regarding carry-on size limits. Be sure to check with your airline for specific rules and regulations. There are also ways to ship your houseplants by mail, also assuming you are in compliance with shipping restrictions.

What to do once you arrive at your new home

It is important to prioritize your plants as soon as you arrive at your new home. Immediately upon arrival, you should repot the plants back into their original containers and place them in an ideal location in the home. With the right supplies and care, your plants will survive a move and will grow and thrive in their new environment.