How to Move Your Plants
Whether you’re moving houseplants or patio containers of plants, the process can be tricky. Here’s some advice for transporting your philodendron, peace lily or parlor palm.
Most importantly, make sure it is legal to transport your plant. Some states have laws against the import of certain plants in order to prevent the spread of disease and organisms that can harm plant species. Check with department of agriculture in the state where you are moving to see if there are any restrictions. California, Arizona and Florida have some of the strictest regulations.
For plants too tall to fit in your car upright, you can pack sphagnum moss on top of the dirt in the pot and wrap the pot in plastic before tipping the plant on its side to fit in your car.
If moving plants in a truck, protect the plants from wind by wrapping them with cloth or heavy plastic.
When moving in the winter, be careful not to expose plants to cold temperatures event for short periods of time. A “coat” made of newspaper will help protect the plants.
When moving in the summer, try not to leave plants in hot cars for an extended period of time. Water is important, so plan accordingly — and line the floor of your car with plastic.
Even if you line the floor of your car with plastic, you should tie a plastic bag around each pot. This will catch both dirt and water that might fall out of the pot.
If you are working with a mover, don’t assume they can move your plants. Here are some questions to ask:
- Are you willing to move houseplants?
- Is there a maximum distance you will move houseplants?
- Do you have any guarantees when it comes to moving houseplants? (The company probably won’t guarantee the health of the plant after the move.)
- Is there an additional cost to move houseplants? You’ll probably need to tell the moving company representative how many plants you need to move in order to find out if you’ll need a bigger truck or additional van for your move. Plants take up a lot of room since they cannot be stacked.
Finally, consider whether the plants are worth the cost and the hassle. Often, you’d do better to sell the plants or give them away, starting over when you settle into your new home.
As you prepare for your move, let Allconnect help you. Get free moving quotes from top moving companies across the U.S. by filling out one form.
