How to Pack and Move Plants Safely: Best Practices from the Pros
Moving house is always stressful but moving plants can create a particularly tricky set of problems. Some will tell you to donate your plants and just get fresh ones for your new place but if you’re someone who’s been cultivating a Fiddle Leaf Fig for years or nurtured a Heart Leaf Philodendron into a gorgeous cascade of vines – we know how impossible leaving those babies behind would be.
And here’s the thing: you don’t have to. We’ve got all the pro tips for you right here on how to move your plants safely. We’ll walk you through everything from prepping your plants weeks before the move, to what you’ll need on the day, and how to acclimatize your jungle to its new home.
How to Prepare Your Plants for the Move
Humans aren’t the only ones that get stressed out with big changes. Here’s everything you need to know about getting your plants ready for a successful relocation:
Check Local Plant Laws: Certain states and countries have strict laws about which plants are allowed there. Most indoor plants won’t be a problem but it’s always worth double checking before you move so that you don’t accidentally bring in an invasive species.
Transition to Plastic Pots: Not only are ceramic pots much harder to secure with plants in them, but trying to move a plant in a heavy pot can be a nightmare on moving day. Protect your planters (and your back) and transition everything into plastic pots before your move.
Prune Back: Some light pruning and cutting back on damaged leaves or stems means that your plants will take up less space when packing and will also help encourage growth once they’re moved into their new home.
Inspect for Bugs: As you’re pruning, keep an eye out for any pests lurking on your plants. The last thing anyone wants is bugs tagging along for the move.
Use a Natural Pesticide: We’ve written about how to deal with everything from fungus gnats to spider mites but honestly, one of the best overall pest-killing approaches is to just wipe off any visible bugs and then spray your plant with a mix of Dr Bronner’s Castille soap and water. Repeat this until the plant is all clear and you should be able to keep your move bug-free.
Feed and Water: If your plants will be in transit for a few days, bump up their watering schedule slightly, especially during summer, so that they don’t dry out. It’s also good to add a little fertilizer during warmer months to encourage growth and help with the stress of the transition.
Make Notes on Each Plant: Take down the name of each plant coming with you and what they like best in terms of sun and draft exposure. This will make it so much easier to know where best to position your plants in your new place.
Packing Plants for the Move
Ok, your plants are fed, watered, and repotted. Here’s how to pack them up with minimal fallout:
Bag the Pot: Whether you’re taking plants in your car or in a moving van, no one wants soil getting all over the place so bag up your pots and secure the plastic at the base of the stem with some twine or elastic.
Pack into Boxes: This isn’t always necessary but, certainly, if your plants are getting packed into a big van, putting them into boxes first will help limit any leaf damage during the drive. You can then use bubble wrap and paper to fill in any gaps around the pot so that it doesn’t jostle in the box.
Poke Breathing Holes: Plants are just like us – they need oxygen, so make sure to poke some breathing holes in their boxes.
What to Know for Moving Day
The truck has pulled up and you’re finally clearing your plants out of their old home. How do you organize things so that nothing gets damaged? Let’s take a look:
Secure the Plants in Your Car: Any plants being transported in your car should either be strapped in like kids on the backseat or placed on the car floor, preferably with a tarp underneath to protect your carpeting if the plants aren’t already boxed.
Pack your Plants Carefully: The tricky thing with packing plant boxes is, of course, nothing can be stacked on top of them. Let them be some of the last things to go into your moving van.
Consider Hiring Professionals: If you have a lot of bigger plants, professionals can be an absolute lifesaver. Not only will they physically save you the aches and pains of carrying the plants, but they’ll be well versed in how to pack them carefully.
Unpacking Plants in Your New Home
There is nothing more exciting than getting to pull out all your things and settle into a new space. Here’s how you can make sure your plants are just as happy about it:
Unbox ASAP: Plants can withstand being in boxes for a few days but the sooner you can get them free and exposed to light, the better.
Repot: Once you have your planters unpacked, you can then repot everything back into their original homes.
Find Spots that Match the Plant’s Needs: Go back to your notes and try to place plants according to the light etc. that they like best. If you’ve moved to a drier climate and worried your plants will struggle, here are our tips on increasing humidity for your houseplants.
Adjust Your Plants as You Go: Like humans, plants need a second to settle into new environments. Keep an eye on them and if you see them struggling in a new spot, you can always move them or adjust your care accordingly.
Putting Down New Roots
Indoor plants have been shown to reduce physiological stress, and can even help boost productivity and creativity. With that many benefits, they’re usually worth the little bit of extra effort required to move. The only worry of course is that they might get damaged in transit but as long as you prep and pack your plants properly, they’ll be just as ready to put down new roots as you are.