"HOW-TO Guides" provided by Turnkey Relocation Services
MOVING WITH PLANTS

Your leafy family members will require pre-planning and special consideration to arrive safely at their new destination. If you are traveling over 150 miles, the ambient temperature is below 45°F or above 85°F, or your truck shipment cannot be delivered within 24 hours of loading, you should arrange to transport in a climate controlled environment, such as your person vehicle. Some states regulate importation of plants and may require inspections. The department of natural resources for the state can answer any questions you may have.
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Refer to our chart (below) for care of 10 common houseplants.
- To keep plants healthy during the move consider the following guidelines.-

Three Weeks Before Moving:
  • REPOT – From clay (breakable) pots to plastic (unbreakable) pots of the same size.
Two Weeks Before Moving:
  • PRUNE – Pinch back new growth with your thumb and forefinger, and prune back larger plants for better packing. This will produce healthy, compact plants in the long run. Keep in mind that succulents (cacti, ferns, etc.) do not respond well to pruning.
One Week Before Moving:
  • INSECT CHECK – Check for bugs and parasites, and treat. However, insecticides are not recommended. Instead, use natural remedies such as soapy water, pepper spray, etc. There are many resources for recipes online.
Two Days Before Moving:
  • WATER – Water your plants normally being careful not to over-water. This can cause freezing in winter and fungus growth in summer during transit.
Moving Day:
  • PACKING – The following procedures will make your plants ready to travel up to three days before requiring further attention.
  • Wrap the large plants with an old sheet or rolls of paper to protect the branches from breaking.
  • Set up a regular shipping box, punch air holes in the sides, and clearly label the sides and top.
  • Place the post in the boxes making sure they fit snuggly in the bottom. If they are loose, pack around the pots with paper. Loosely close the tops.
During the Move:
  • ATTENTION – The following procedures will keep your plants happy during the travels.
  • Load them in your vehicle as close to departure as possible.
  • To avoid extremes in temperature and provide fresh air, avoid loading plants in the trunk.
  • During hot weather, remember to crack the windows when you make stops. Also, avoid exposing them to direct sunlight.
  • During cold weather, avoid letting the temperature inside the car drop to dangerous levels. You may need to take plants into your hotel room at night. Open the cartons and they will definitely benefit from this.
  • If they seem unusually dry or wilting, give them a sip of water. Otherwise, wait until you arrive at your new home.
  • If they have been packed more than three days, they will need light. Take them in the hotel room and open the cartons.
Arriving Home:
  • UNPACK – The following procedures will help your leafy family members adjust to their new surroundings.
  • Unpack your plants immediately.
  • Take them out the bottoms of the boxes to avoid breaking leaves, limbs and stems.
  • Place them in spots comparable in light, is possible, to their former home, and water them.
  • Avoid moving them until they have acclimated.
Moving is very stressful for plants. If you are unable to transport them safely consider giving them to family, friends, a hospital or long-term care facility, library or school. They will appreciate the gesture! You also might want to take cuttings to restart your new plants in you new home. Simply wrap them in wet peat moss and newspaper and place them down in an unsealed bag. These bags can be placed in a box with packing material around the base for support. They should be safe to travel for several days, and ready to plant when you arrive.

Hints for 10 Common Houseplants