7 Moving Tips for Transporting Your Houseplants Safely

If you're traveling long distance, contact the state's department of agriculture as there may be restrictions. "Some states won't allow you to move 'dangerous' plants in so they can protect their crops like potatoes in Idaho, citrus in California, etc.," explains Kyle Tiller, Field Training and Development Specialist of moving company Two Men and a Truck. "A lot of states will regulate your efforts, but it is easier to get a plant that solely stays potted inside the home into a state, rather than ones that are replanted outside." Check the USDA's Plant Protection and Quarantine Program for federal regulations as well. 

Start by refreshing the soil: "Before moving, you should replace the old soil with fresh, sterile soil so there aren't any bugs (hopefully) crossing the state lines or infesting your car while it's being transported," Tiller says. If your state requires a certified inspection, call your local agricultural department to schedule an appointment with an authorized examiner. They will provide you with the required forms to present at state borders if required. Two or three days before moving, water the plants well (the soil should be moist, but not sopping wet). It's important to keep the roots damp while en route.

Protect plants from heat, cold, sunlight (which is intensified by car windows), and wind by wrapping them in cones of kraft paper. Ivan Martinez, plant expert at New York-based Tula Plants & Design, calls this technique "sleeving": "Take a piece of craft paper—you'll want the width to be about the same as the height of the plant—and wrap the paper to make a cone shape, slightly wider at the top. Tape or staple to keep the shape. Then, slip in the plant with its pot from the top of the cone so all the plant leaves and stems get pushed upwards." For more delicate plants, such as cacti and succulents, he suggests placing them in a box and cushioning the empty space with bubble wrap or towels.

Place plants in the car alongside you, never the trunk. Tiller's suggestion? "We recommend on the floor in the back seat where it's a little tighter and less of a chance for it to tip." And if the trunk is your last-ditch option? "Be sure there are plenty of items packed around it to keep it from falling over."

In warm weather, stop periodically in shaded areas and crack a window to let in fresh air. And in colder weather, maintain a comfortable temperature in the car. Avoid exposing plants to harsh winds and direct sunlight. If you stop at hotels along the way, bring them inside, so they are not affected by extreme temperatures. "Just be sure you don't crush any leaves or branches," Tiller warns, "or that anything will fall on top of it."