Making The Move: How To Make Sure Your Houseplants Survive The Move

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Moving to a new location can be both exciting and stressful as you pack up your belongings and say goodbye to your current home. One of the things that makes your new home feel welcoming is taking your beloved items with you. If your houseplants are one of your prized possessions, you will need to know how to move them safely.

Will the movers take my houseplants?

Some movers do not transport houseplants at all and require you to take them in your personal vehicle. Others will transport your houseplants but do not assume liability for them. In other words, if your houseplants do not survive the move, the mover will not compensate you for their loss. Talk to your moving company about your houseplants to avoid surprises.

Why do some movers prohibit houseplants?

There are generally two reasons why movers don't deal with houseplants. #1. Houseplants are fragile and do not travel well. They often die in transport. #2. Many states require inspections for pests and some states prohibit bringing soil into the state. If you are crossing state lines, your mover may ask you to take the plants in your personal vehicle and deal with the regulations on your own.

Should you risk sending your houseplants in the moving truck?

That depends on how far you are moving and the length of time your plants will be inside the moving truck. If your move is within the same state and will take less than three hours, you might consider shipping hardy plants, like a ficus tree, in the moving truck. Delicate houseplants, like orchids, probably won't survive the stress of even a short move in the back of a moving van. Typically, large established houseplants fair better than smaller plants.

What can you do to protect your houseplants when moving?

Preparing your houseplants for a move will help them withstand the stress of moving. Follow these guidelines when preparing your plants for the big move.

• Repot them into plastic pots about 2 to 3 weeks before the move. Plastic pots will hold in moisture during the move and don't pose the risk of breaking like terracotta or ceramic pots do.

• Water them normally two days before the move. While they need moist soil, over-watering can result in mold and fungus growth in hot environments and poses the risk of freezing in cold environments.

• Wrap your plants with tissue paper or an old sheet before packing them. This keeps the foliage from breaking and insulates your plants.

• Put the plants in packing boxes, so that the pot fits snugly into the bottom of the box. If there is room around the pot, add crumbled newspaper to prevent the pot from sliding around during moving.

• Close the box and add air holes to the sides so your plants can breathe.

• Label the boxes.

• Load plants that will travel in the moving truck last so they will be the first items removed.

• Place plants traveling in your vehicle in the back seat or on the floor. Do not put them in the trunk.

• Unpack your plants as soon as you arrive at your new home. Place them all in one room out of the way of the movers and open the boxes to let light and air in. Let them rest for 2 to 3 days to acclimate to their new environment. Move them to their permanent location and resume normal care.

If preparing and transporting your houseplants during your move seems a little overwhelming, you do have alternatives. Take cuttings from your plants and give your old plants away. Keep the cuttings moist by wrapping the cut end with wet paper towels and wrapping it with plastic. Place several cuttings in a plastic cup or container and take them with you in your vehicle.

For more information and options, talk with different moving companies or visit websites like http://www.wheatonworldwide.com to research more about policies with household plants. 

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8 February 2016