How to Move Any Distance without Stressing Your Plants

The How to Move principles are simple: Put household items in boxes, wrap fragile pieces in bubble wrap, or use some new biodegradable packaging paper. But packing plants is another story than plant care.

Leaving your best housemates, however, can be heartbreaking, especially those cute little succulents you propagated. There is no need to leave your plants behind.

Stackable plastic containers or airy banana boxes you can buy at your local grocer are great containers for smaller plants.

How to prepare plants to be moved a short distance

It is tempting to combine indoor and outdoor plants. Don’t!

Even if you are just moving across town, it is important to take precautions against pests. Indoor plants should be packaged separately from outdoor plants in order to prevent bugs from crossing from one pot into the next.

You will need the following items to prepare your plants for a quick move:

Magnifying glass
Neem oil (optional)
Plastic nursery pots
Scissors and shears
Cardboard boxes or plastic crates
Paper packing

Step 1: Search for insects

Inspect each pot carefully with a magnifying lens to look for spider mites and mealybugs.

You can de-bug your plants using neem oil. Spray both sides of each leaf in the morning with the oil. Before you transport the plant, let the oil dry for at least 24hrs.

Step 2: Protect the pots

Take stock of your pots. Don’t take pots that are susceptible to cracking.
Repot your plants in shatterproof containers such as plastic nursery pots at least two to three weeks before moving.
To prevent them from knocking, wrap each planter with bubble wrap or place cardboard between the pots. Wine dividers are a good idea.

Step 3: Trim the dry leaves and add water

Use shears or scissors to cut back any dead or dying foliage.
The soil should not be too dry. You can water your plants before you move them or after they have been placed in their boxes. Root rot can occur. You don’t want your plants to sit in standing water too long as it can cause mud spillage.

Step 4: Choose a safe spot to keep delicate plants.

Place delicate houseplants in a designated area. If the planter is small enough that your cup holder fits it, you might consider placing it there. If you don’t have enough room, make sure the box is tight enough.
Use your judgment when transporting plants such as Burro’s tail and other succulents. They are sensitive to movement and could lose their leaves.
Others are too fragile to be relocated because they are shallow-rooted.

Step 5: Use open boxes

All other houseplants should be placed in open boxes, meaning without lids. Larger plants can stick out of the tops of the boxes.
These plants, like delicate houseplants, need to have as little or no wiggle room as possible.
If necessary, cover the area between the pot, the cardboard box, and packing paper. Fill and cushion as much as you can.

How to prevent plant and planter damage

Plastic nursery pots are a great option to protect your pots and plants. There are many other options.
Plants with rubbery, hard leaves such as the snake plant and succulents won’t tangle with or intertwine with each other because they are so rigid. These plants should be paired with dracaenas, palms, and ferns that are more prone to tangling.

There is one way to almost guarantee pots won’t crack:

Separate pots and plants.

You will need to separate pots and plants using:

Plastic pots for simple use
Paper
Dowels (optional)
Ribbon or twine
Scissors and shears

Step 1: Remove the pot from the plant

Lang suggests that you remove any plastic inserts from your plants and move them. If you have a potted plant that is in a beautiful planter and wants to keep it, remove the plant from the pot and place it in a plastic or compostable container.

Step 2: Secure the plants

Wrap the pot in a paper, just like a bowl or platter.
Then secure it in a container that can hold the weight.
Dowels can be used to support your plants vertically if you are worried about them getting crushed or tangled. Cut the ribbon or twine with scissors and place the dowel in the soil. Attach the ribbon or twine around the dowel, and then plant gently.

Step 3: Bundle

Wrap the plant in a newspaper and secure it with twine or ribbon. Lang says that this will look similar to a bouquet of flowers.

How to tell if your plants require a long car ride

Double-boxing plants to increase safety. Plants should be boxed with the tops open to allow light and airflow to enter. However, this could make them less secure in transit. To absorb the impact of impacts, it may be beneficial to place a second box open around the first one.

It is important to consider the car’s environment. Plants are kept out of direct sunlight if you can. Cover your windows to create shadows and cool the air. To prevent heat buildup in the car, turn your air conditioner on until you reach your destination.

How to use a moving truck to transport plants

Research is essential. Learn the U.S. Department of Agriculture rules and regulations. Importantly, not all movers will move plants. You check with the moving company before packing your greenery. “When you are looking for a truck to move your plants, make sure you ask about their requirements for packing them safely. You will need to find out if your plants are able to survive the trip if the truck does not have it.

You keep a regular watering schedule even if you have hired movers. If a fiddle leaf fig is on the ride, it is important to ensure that the soil is dry before you give it a drink.

Low light does not necessarily mean no light. Although trucks will not have much light, they might still have some sunlight. Low-light conditions can be quite favorable for plants that grow well.