House and garden plants enliven a living space and have a way of transforming a house into a home. Here in Palo Alto, we’re lucky to live in a climate that is absolute paradise for most plants, so your own home probably feels like an oasis with all the greenery! But if you’re planning to relocate, moving all those plants might seem intimidating. It is true that moving plants can be a bit of a hassle if you’ve never done it before. In fact many moving companies will not move your plants at all, and all moving companies refuse to take liability for damaged plants (yes, that includes our Palo Alto movers here at Moving Forward). This is because plants are so sensitive and they don’t do well in the heat of a moving truck. If you have a large collection of houseplants, you probably want to take them with you (they’re your babies!). You’ve put a lot of time and energy toward your plants, and it would be a waste if you had to throw them all the away. Before you start packing up those plants, make sure you know what to do with these quick tips.

Before you start packing your plants, understand that if you’re moving across state borders, there may be rules against bringing certain plants across state lines. Check inspection guidelines in the state you’re moving to and avoid hold ups or having to toss your plants at the border. If you find that you can’t take your plants with you, give them to a friend before you go. You might be sad, but at least they will have a happy home.

Pack Plants Last

Plants should be the last of your items to be boxed up, because it is bad for plants to be in a hot car or truck for too long. Leave your plants be until you have packed up the rest of your belongings first and put them in the truck. Ideally you will pack up your plants right before departure.



Packing Your Plants

Use boxes and line them with plastic, then stuff the boxes around the planter with plenty of packing materials so they don’t jostle around. This will help you avoid a broken planter and soil in your car. To protect your tall plants with branches and fragile leaves, wrap them in plastic and poke holes in the plastic so they can breathe.



Crank Up The AC

If you’re moving during the summer, keep the air conditioner on so your plants don’t overheat. Anytime you stop for a bathroom break, park in the shade and roll down a window to give your plants some fresh air. If you are moving during the winter, stuff plenty of newspaper into your plant’s boxes so they stay warm. Cold weather can do a number on your plants, so keep them at a comfortable temperature.

Don’t Over Water

Keep an eye on the soil and only water your plants if they are looking abnormally dry. There might be a tendency to water them just to cover all bases, but this could end up damaging your plant.

Get A Room

If you’re traveling for a few days, bring your plants into your lodging location and provide the proper lighting situation for them. Remember, extreme temperatures are only made more extreme in a car, so do not forget to bring your plants inside with you.

Give Those Plants Some Post-Move Love

Once you arrive to your new destination, remove all the plastic from the plants immediately. Give them some water and food if necessary. If you removed your plants from their pots to move and plan to repot them upon arrival, wait at least a week to do so. The plants have already gone through a lot of strain during the move, and repotting will only cause more strain.Be sure to care for your plants so they can revive after a long journey. Take a look at this awesome plant care guide to find out how to care for your plants.

How will you move the rest of your belongings? For full moving services, call Moving Forward to get your free quote today!