5 Steps to Moving Indoor and Outdoor Plants Safely

December 26, 2022
Ella M
Ella M

If you're getting ready for a new beginning in a new house, you probably feel pleased about the move but concerned about how your plants will feel about being uprooted. If you are a devoted plant parent, you are already knowledgeable about plant care; what you need is a relocation strategy. Here is a step-by-step instruction manual for moving your cherished plants securely.

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Understand the Adaptability of Plants

Not every setting is suitable for every type of indoor and outdoor plant. Numerous environmental elements, like sunshine and humidity, have an impact on how well they grow. If you can manage the elements, indoor plants may quickly adapt to changing ambient conditions. But before you decide to relocate your priceless outdoor plants into another yard, you should check a plant hardiness zone chart to learn about the weather and soil conditions at your new home.

Verify the Plant Transportation Laws

Did you know that some plants are prohibited in some states? While many states have no limits, some do limit the kinds of plants that can be imported. The health of the plant, especially whether or not it has diseases or pests that may infect the nearby plants, could be verified by officials. More legal details concerning transporting plants over state borders may be found at the National Plant Board.

Select a Plant Transportation Method

Because moving vehicles lack adequate lighting, regulated temperatures, and ventilation for live plants, even the best moving firms will be unable to transfer your plants. So you'll need a different method to transport your plants inside. Select the mode of transportation before you begin preparing the plants for the journey so you will be aware of what to do.

Make Your Plants Work

Plants may be transported most often and easily by being safely driven in a car. When transporting them to the hotel for the night, you'll need to keep an eye on their temperature. The secret to a successful voyage is to pack them snugly in boxes filled with newspaper to prevent movement, and if you have sensitive plants, some shredded newspaper cushioning on top. Large plants may also be packed using the same method, but you will need to tilt or angle them to fit in the car.

Take Off With Your Plants

Your plants can be flown to your destination, but they will be treated as either a carry-on or a checked luggage. Additionally, you must put them in a container or box for protection. Before bringing live plants on a flight, check the airline's and TSA's restrictions.

Sending Plants

Plants may be shipped by UPS, FedEx, and USPS if they are not sensitive and can endure changing environmental conditions. Make careful to review their delivery and packing rules. If you want to keep your plants healthy, you might have to pay more for rapid shipment.

Get Your Outdoor Plants Ready for a Move

You may get ready for a successful transfer for your indoor and outdoor plants with a few helpful hints and a lot of tender loving care.

Garden Plants

It seems sense that because you've undoubtedly been watching these plants grow out your kitchen window year after year, you're afraid to take them with you. Here are some things you can do to ensure a smooth transition.

Trim and prune: Moving smaller plants is simpler (6 to 12 inches). The cutting also diverts the plant's attention from maintaining its leaves and blossoms while it is being moved.

Dig and bag: After pruning, dig out your plants, protecting the root ball with enough earth. Each plant should be put inside a paper bag with a tiny hole punched in it for ventilation. Take care when transporting your bagged plants to prevent them from becoming overheated or dried out.

Take into account potting: Many outside plants, such as herbs, may be transported in pots. For the greatest results, let them a few weeks before moving day to become used to the pots.

Plants in a vegetable garden

For primary school students, growing fresh veggies is a rite of passage, and for plant parents, it's a passion project. It's understandable why leaving them behind isn't the best choice.

Regarding relocating your garden plants, you have two options based on the quantity of available automobile space. You have two options for transferring them: into a big container, like a five-gallon bucket, or into a flower tube with a little cutting, being sure to keep it moist by covering it with damp paper towels. For the greatest results, transplant them as soon as you can, either in the ground or in a grow chamber.

Get Your Indoor Plants Ready for Moving

Indoor plant enthusiasts are aware that even the most simple types may be temperamental, so give yourself approximately three weeks to get your plants ready for their new home.

House Plants

For a smooth move, adhere to these steps:

Repot with sterile soil: Early in the packing process, switch from clay and ceramic pots to plastic pots to give your plants time to acclimate. Your gorgeous planters will stay undamaged if you stow them among your home items until you're ready to repotter them once again.

Trim and prune: Ideally, two weeks prior to the relocation, you should trim your plants.

Examine carefully: A week before to moving day, check your plants for insects and parasites. If necessary, apply pesticides, but do so cautiously. Keep in mind that if you employ professional movers, you cannot load household products like pesticides and fertilizers.

Water your plants normally: Two days before you move, give them a good drink, but don't drown them. You shouldn't be concerned about fungal development or subfreezing temperatures while in transportation.

Carefully Package Your Plants

After deciding on a method for transporting your plants, you may begin preparing a day or two before relocating. Take these actions:

To prevent soil from pouring out of the pots, wrap them with plastic bags and tie them securely around the plant's base.

Find containers that firmly hold your plants, then fill the gaps with packing paper. If you want to seal the boxes, make a few small holes in the seal to allow for enough ventilation.

When packing cuttings, your main concern should be to maintain the plant's moisture using wet paper towels, a rubber band, and a floral tube.

To prevent damage, wrap tall or big plants with newspaper paper or a thin sheet.

Set Your Plants Out

While unpacking might be stressful, make sure to take the time to quickly restore the conditions your plants were used to. To get started, follow these steps:

As soon as you get to your new house, unpack your plants. By removing them via the box's bottom, you can prevent harm. Give your plants a few days to rest so they can adjust to their new surroundings. Plants should be repotted into their original pots. Wait a few days for healing to begin if you see symptoms of transplant shock or believe your plant is dying, and then take appropriate action.