Plants make our house beautiful and alive. It feels warm and unique when you have plants around you. Plants are like part of the family for plant lovers. They consider plants as family members. But transporting plants to a new place isn’t an easy job. It would be best if you gave a lot of attention while moving plants as they are susceptible. If you realize that some plants won’t survive the long-distance move, leave them in good hands. In this article, we will talk about how to transport plants when moving without killing them.
Moving is chaotic and overwhelming. Moreover, moving with living belongings like plants becomes even more challenging. It puts a lot of stress. But, for people who love their plants, all these complex works are worth it.
Things To Know Before Transport Plants When Moving
Consider The Size Of Your Plants
People have different types of plants in their houses and gardens. Plant type varies in size and shape. You should consider the size and shapes of your plants while moving. This will help you to accommodate them on transport.
There are taller plants with unique shapes. It isn’t easy to transport them on your own. It’s better to get professional help in this type of situation. If you have rare and sensitive plants in your house, it would be best to deal with them yourself. Otherwise, there will be chances to harm the plants during the move.
Check Whether Your Plants Will Survive The Move
Some plants stop growing when moved. The change in temperature and moisture level would affect the proper growth of the plants. Moving the plants where they won’t survive may not be a great idea. So, it’s better not to take them with you. Instead, give them to your friends, a family member, or any other suitable place where the plants will be taken care of.
You can also visit the local nursery to get a better idea. You can discuss with an expert there to protect your plants from damage. They can give you some valuable advice to save your beloved plant.
Check The Weather
Temperature plays a crucial role in transporting plants. Not all plants survive at the same temperature. Extreme temperatures could kill your plants. So, check the weather while moving your plants. Adjust the temperature if you move them across the country in your car. When the weather is too cold or too hot, try to keep them in a suitable place.
A hostile environment would affect the survival of the plants. Companies that transport plants consider these facts. Indoor plants and outdoor plants have different temperature endurance capabilities. So, go through all the details regarding the temperature adjustment.
Water Plants
Water your plants according to the weather. During summer, plants need enough water to survive the transfer. On the other hand, summer is hot and dry. So, make sure to provide enough water to avoid too much dryness. It’s better to water them a day before moving, even on the moving day. It will keep them hydrated. Place plants out of direct sunlight.
On the contrary, wet and cold winter weather may harm the plants. It would be best if you watered a plant a few days before the move. This will keep the soil dry on the move. If transporting plants in your vehicle, adjust the air conditioner accordingly.
Check The Regulation Of Arriving Place
You must check the rules and regulations while moving to a new place regarding moving plants. If you are moving to a different country, check their regulations. Many countries don’t allow certain plants as they could threaten their own plant life.
Also, there are some states with laws regarding shipping plants and animals. In addition, different federal agencies, such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), monitor and put laws on the movement of plants. For Example, Hawaii has very strict laws about shipping plants. This is because Hawaii has a wide variety of rare species of plants and animals.
Foreign species may affect the existence of those rare species. So, they have regulations regarding transporting your plants. Make sure you check those regulations. If you are crossing state lines where they don’t allow some or any of your plants, it would be better to leave plants behind. Instead, donate or gift them to the community gardens.
How To Pack Your Plants
Packing is the most crucial and critical point of transporting your plants. The safety of your plants depends mainly on the packing. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is to collect all the packing supplies. You can get them from the stores or the moving companies.
Re-Pot Your Plants
Before starting packing, you may consider re-potting some of your plants. You don’t need to re-pot all the plants. Some pots are heavier to carry. You should remove them from a heavy pot and place them in lightweight plastic pots.
Also, pack the heavy pot separately to use it after moving to your new address. This way, there will be less chance of damage and breakage. Next, wrap the ceramic or heavy pots with bubble wrap as they are fragile items. Then put the pot into a moving box. Label the boxes as fragile.
Re-pot the plants weeks ahead before transporting them. This will help the plants to adjust.
Pack Potted Plants
Potted plants are very delicate to handle. It would be best if you were very cautious while packing them. You need to get all the packing materials before starting packing. Prepare a checklist and make a packing plan to manage everything smoothly.
There are a few steps you need to follow while packing potted plants. You can do the packing in various ways. Here we will discuss the fundamental way to do that.
- First, you need plastic bags, such as trash bags, to pack plants. Put the potted plant inside the plastic bag. Then make sure to pull the plastic bag up to cover the whole potting soil part. This way, it will stop soil spills. Then secure the bag with a rope or rubber bands.
- Then, put the plant inside a box. Please use cardboard boxes. As potted plants are heavy, a cardboard box would protect them from falling. The box should secure the base of the plant. You can get the moving boxes from the stores. Sometimes heavy and oversized moving boxes aren’t available. You can get them from moving companies.
- Use packing paper to fill up the extra space inside the box. Otherwise, the plants inside the box would move. You can also use newspaper and bubble wrap to fill the space.
- It’s better not to put the box lids to allow the air to flow inside the box. If you want to close the box, poke holes with scissors. Air holes allow the air to flow.
- Lastly, label the box as ‘FRAGILE’ and ‘LIVE PLANT.’ So, people will be more cautious while dealing with the boxes. There will be less confusion.
- For smaller plants, you can follow the same procedure. House plants are significantly smaller. You can put multiple houseplants in one box.
Pack Plant Cuttings
There is another popular way to transport your green friends. It is better to use cuttings if you have larger plants and outdoor plants. The plant parent loves each of their plants even though it is challenging to move them. A cutting indicates cutting the root or stem of a plant that you could plant in your new home.
First, cut a 3 to 6 inches long healthy bush with a sharp clipper. Make sure to moisten the end of the cutting. Wrap it with wet paper towels and secure it with rubber bands. Use a plastic stem holder or plastic pot to protect the plant cutting. Handle plant cuttings gently.
While transporting cutting, put them in small plastic pots. Then wrap them, protecting the humidity. If you are using any moving service, follow their guideline.
Available Moving Options To Move Your Plant
By Car
This is considered one of the best ways to ship plants. You can take care of your cherished plants. You don’t need to depend on any other third party to move them. If you have enough space in your vehicle, you should drive them to your new place. Bring your plant to a car to ensure air circulation. But don’t put them in the truck. This will damage them severely. Also, you won’t be able to check plants on the move. Don’t forget to take a spray bottle with you. So that you spray water when required without leaking water.
If you are crossing country lines, you must stay overnight at a hotel. Don’t leave your plants in the vehicle. The temperature could be too hot or too cold. Instead, bring them with you to protect them from nasty weather.
Remember, soil spilling is very common when moving plants across the. Even if you secure them with excellent packing, there Could be spills. So, place newspaper at the bottom of the plants while moving them by car.
By Plane
You can fly with your favorite plants across the country. Check the TSA guidelines while planning your move. Contact your airlines to know their regulations. This way, you would be able to avoid any uncertain situation. International flights often have specific restrictions against bringing live plants. You should always check these issues before shipping. But flying takes very little time to move long distances.
By Mail
You can use FedEx, USPS, and USP to mail your plants. You should remove the plant from the pot, shake the extra soil from the root, and secure the root ball with a plastic bag. Put them into the moving box and label them. Check the guidelines to pack and move before shipping.
Hire Moving Company
Moving live plants is very hectic and overwhelming. If you hire a moving company, they will do the job for you. But, not all the moving companies move plants. Do your research to find the suitable mover who offers this service. They are experts in moving plants. Some movers also offer packing services. They have their moving truck to move plants long-distance.
Unpack Immediately
Unpack the plants as soon as you reach your destination. Delaying could damage or even kill them. So, when you arrive at your new home, check the plants. If necessary, unpack them immediately.
Conclusion
Whether you choose to transport your plants by car, plane, or mail, it is important to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety. Follow the guidelines this article outlines, and your plants should arrive at their new destination safely and sound. Remember to unpack them as soon as possible upon arrival so they can start acclimating to their new environment.
FAQ
Q: How do you transport plants when moving long distances?
A: First, remove the trees from their plants. Trim the roots and wrap them in a plastic bag. You can use a bubble wrapper in that case. If your plants are small, you can carry them by car. Hiring a mover is the best option if the tree is big enough.
Q: How do you move a plant without killing it?
A: Make a mixture of pre-moistened and put it in the pot. Place the tree on it and wrap it.
Q: Can plants survive in a moving truck?
A: Sun heat or dust can kill your plants. So do not carry the plants in an open truck.
Q: How do you transport plants in a car?
A: If your car has enough air circulation system, then you can carry your plants in a car. First, you have to ensure proper air circulation. Then put a layer of pre-moistened mix and wrap it in a plastic bag. Place the plant in a cardboard box.