How to Move Your Plants Without Damaging Them

Packing and moving house is no easy process, but it is rather straightforward. You put household items in boxes, wrap fragile pieces and get your porcelain covered in biodegradable packing paper.

However, things may not be as easy when it comes to plants. They are living, breathing organisms and the excessive movement, lack of light and humidity at the back of the truck may cause a significant impact on the flora.

Still, houseplants are more than just a fashion item. They improve the air in your home by absorbing toxic substances and keeping it hydrated and fresh. Not to mention that when investing so much time and care into raising them, plants become part of the family.

If that is the case for you, leaving them to die or putting them on Gumtree is not an option. Luckily, we have found a way to safely move your plants without damaging them.

Get familiar with the law regulations

First things first, before you attempt to move any of your houseplants, you should get familiar with the laws and regulations in your area.

An important note is that if you are moving inside the UK, there are no limitations, and you are safe to do so. If you are from the EU, you need to know that the plant passport is no longer applicable and, to import plants into the UK, you need to present a plant health (phytosanitary) certificate.

Check the climate and growing conditions

When moving house, climate and growing conditions are usually not on the list of priorities, and we focus on them only after we have completed the move.

If you are moving your plants and want to create a home garden, research and confirm if the climate suits them.

Conditions such as temperature, seasonality, humidity, and elevation are essential for your houseplants’ well-being. Remember that even if they are indoor plants, they are still susceptible to outside weather conditions.

If you have plants that won’t thrive in your new property, you should consider gifting them to your friends or neighbours before the move. If the climate and growing conditions are not right, your plants will suffer no matter how much you struggle to keep them alive.

Do not move during the summer if possible

The hot summer days are the worst time of the year for moving your plants. The high temperature and dry heat, combined with the stress of transplanting and moving your greenery, can be devastating.

Of course, one can not always choose when to move, so if you have no other choice, ensure that you don’t leave your plants in a hot vehicle for too long and constantly water them to keep them hydrated.

Consider shipping

House removals services may not always be eager to assist you with moving your plants. Shipping is a good alternative if you cannot move them yourself. The biggest downside is that once shipped, you have no control over what happens to your vegetation.

To increase the success of the move, you can take certain steps to prepare your plants:

• Inspect for bugs – Carefully inspect each plant to check for bugs and remove any pests that you might find.
• Get your plant out of the pot – They will be travelling separately.
• Trimming – Give the dead leaves and roots a good trim.
• Time to wrap – Place the roots in a wet paper towel and wrap it tightly with plastic. You can use tape or rubber bands to fasten it for additional protection.
• Put the plant in a box – Once wrapped, place your flora friend inside a container and fill the air with paper or bubble cushioning to secure it.
• Add weight – To ensure that the box does not tilt or fall over, add some additional weight, which will help keep it straight throughout the journey.
• Label it – Add a label showing the shipping company reps that there is a live plant inside to avoid mishandling.

Once you complete all the steps, your plant is ready to be shipped.

Pack your plants properly

Shipping your vegetation should not be a priority. Whenever possible, you should look into moving them yourself. No matter how professional the moving company is, no one will be as careful as you regarding your nature babies.

The packing process is similar to when you are shipping the plants, with some exceptions. To ensure a convenient move, you may want to get plastic containers to serve as substitutes for the pots.

Another important aspect is the air. Even if you close and seal the box where your greens are, ensure you poke a few holes to allow proper airflow.

If you are moving a long distance and must spend the night in a hotel or Airbnb, get your plants inside at night and open the lids of the boxes to give them fresh air.

Unpack your plants first

Thankfully, you have managed to get to your new property safely, and everything has worked out beautifully. Time to get that much-needed rest and start unpacking the following day, right? That could not be further from the truth.

Even if you don’t have to start repotting straight away, get your plants out of their boxes as soon as possible and remove any covers that you have used. Find a sunny spot at your new place and leave them there so they can recover from the long journey. You may also want to give them some water if needed.

Once you have rested from your long journey, prepare the pots, remove all the wrap and towels from the roots and plant your greens in their new home.

Help your plants recover after moving houses

Moving is stressful for your vegetation. Even if everything goes according to plan, recovering may still require some time.

Continue to care for them just like you did before the move, and with time, you will see them adjusting to their new environment. It won’t be long before your plants get used to their new place and thrive under your supervision.

Can I move plants with a house removals company?

Contacting your local removals company for assistance may be tempting if you have too many plants. Unfortunately, few businesses specialise in plant removals, and most may refuse the service due to fears of damage.

If you find house removals willing to do the job for you, ensure they have temperature control in their truck to protect your greens.

Conclusion

Moving house is hard. Doing it with plants is significantly harder.

If you find yourself in such a situation, ensure that you properly prepare for the move and take all necessary steps to secure the well-being of your vegetation.

If you are moving far away, always check the climate conditions first. If they are not suitable, you should start looking for a new family for your houseplants.

Regardless of whether you hire a removals company, ship your plants, or choose to transport them yourself, ensure that they are well-wrapped, packed and protected.