Moving Houseplants to a New Home

If you are planning a move to your new home, check out these quick tips that will help ensure that your prized houseplants will arrive safely to your new home in good condition. With a little planning and care moving houseplants to your new home can be a stress-free experience.

• Local Moves: If you aren’t going far we recommend that you move your plants yourself. Simply take an open box, place the potted houseplants / vases in the box and cushion the sides of the pots with wrapping paper, newspaper or packing materials of choice. When you place the plants in the car make sure that they are secure on the seat or floor so you don’t have to clean up potting soil if the box tips over.
• Tall Plants: for taller plants we recommend that you place sphagnum moss on top of the potted plant to help secure the potting soil. After you have applied the moss wrap each pot individually with a large plastic bag and tie closed. If there is room for the plant to move around in the bag, we recommend that you place padding in the open spaces. If the plant needs to be put into the car at an angle or on its side your packing job will ensure that you won’t spill potting soil all over your car and that your tall plant will not suffer damage from the transport.
• Local Winter Moves: Pack the houseplants with the above local move instructions but take into consideration the winter weather before you load them up in your car. Even a few seconds of exposure to extreme cold will injure your houseplants. If the plants aren’t too delicate you can try placing a light sheet or paper over the top of the plants before you load the cushioned boxes into the car. If your garage is connected to your house, load your plants while the car is in the garage. Do not leave plants unattended in a cold car.
• Long Distance: Traveling long distance with your houseplants can be a challenge; most movers will not move your plants long-distance so the responsibility is all your own. If you can find the strength to part with your houseplants we recommend that you: donate them, sell them at a garage sale and invest in new plants, or give away to family or friends. If you insist on taking your plants, we recommend that you treat your plants like you would your furry family members. Do not leave them in a hot or cold car, make sure they are hydrated, make sure they have good air circulation and never (ever!) leave them in the car overnight or for long periods of time.