There’s no way you can forget your important housemates when moving to a new location: your indoor plants! Light and temperature fluctuations can be tough on most plants, therefore, it is crucial to find a safe way to move them. To make sure your plants reach your new house without hassle, you must follow these amazing tips to transport plants coming right from the experts.
1. Have a Word with Authorities
The last thing you want to experience is legal problems if you are moving long distance with your plants. California, Arizona, and Florida have strict restrictions on transporting plants. So before you even decide plants you will take with you, check with the state’s department of agriculture to be sure about any restrictions.
Some states have strict guidelines to protect their own crops. So make sure you have a list ready beforehand and decide accordingly.
2. Involve Professionals
If you are hiring a local moving company, ask if they will transport your plants. Not all movers help transport plants, especially keeping their fragile nature in mind. Movers may not want to take responsibility in case plants get damaged during transportation.
If you plan to move the plants yourself, prune them first and secure them in packing boxes. Not only will they be easier to move that way but will ‘remain clean’ during the move. Some movers use special packing materials for plants.
If possible, transfer the heavier plants from terracotta pots to plastic containers to make moving easier. Unlike the terracotta pots, plastic is also a safer way to transport fragile plants as they are tougher and shock resistant.
3. Spend a Day with Your Plants
Spend a day with your plants before moving to ensure they are ready to be moved. Add fresh soil to avoid bugs. Clean and prune plants to make them lighter and easier to carry.
Three days before you move, water your plants and ensure the soil is moist. When en route, make sure you ‘water’ the roots. You need to water the roots only if they seem unusually dry.
4. Pack Them
Whether you are transporting plants yourself or you have hired professionals for the task, packing them is your responsibility. In fact, the best way to transport plants when moving is to do everything yourself, i.e. according to your own comfort and preferences. You don’t want other people to mishandle or damage your beloved plants during packing or transportation.
The key is to protect plants from harsh conditions – extreme temperatures and sunlight. Wrapping your plants in Kraft paper or cones can protect them against strong winds. Start with the more fragile tall plants. After wrapping, place these plants in cardboard boxes. Not all plants can be covered completely, so use crumpled paper to secure the pots from all sides.
Use plastic wraps to cover the top parts of the containers keep moisture, dirt out.
5. Secure Placement
The best way to transport plants when moving is to place them alongside you and not in the trunk. You can always take care of the plants and save them from shocks or impact when you sit right next to them.
The best place is the floor in the back seat. This space will keep the plants secure. In case the trunk is your last option, use moving boxes, newspapers and other objects so that pots and containers don’t tip over.
6. Let the Fresh Air In
If you are traveling a long distance, it is ideal to stop periodically and let your plants have fresh air. Whenever you get down for a break, let the window open for a while to maintain a comfortable temperature in the vehicle.
Do not allow direct sunlight or harsh winds to come in direct contact with your plants, especially when they are packed in layers. Similarly, cold weather can be hazardous.
7. After You Move
When you reach your new home, make sure your plants are the first things you tend and move inside your property. This should be your priority.
Soon after settling in, unwrap the plants and place them as you would like. You do not have to make the placement decision right away. Just choose a nice corner where you can water them. Later, you can take your time to place them in a more suitable location as per your preferences.
While you take your time to settle in your new space, allow the same time span to your plants as well. Some plants may wilt or lose leaves, but this is normal. Remember, things will get better with time.
Bottom Line
Just like pets, plants should be your priority when moving. Amidst all the things you have to do to settle in your new house, make sure you transport plants carefully and give them time to recover and adjust.
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