Plant Moving: Expert Tips

Sydney, Dec 22: Moving homes can be a challenging experience, especially when it involves transporting your cherished houseplants. These green companions not only add beauty and life to your home but also carry sentimental value. However, relocating plants requires more than just placing them in a box and hoping for the best. They are living, breathing organisms that need careful handling and specific conditions to thrive during a move. In this article, we’ll explore seven expert tips to ensure your houseplants arrive safely and adjust seamlessly to their new environment, whether you’re moving across the city or interstate. From selecting which plants to take to understanding state-specific regulations and providing the right care during transit, these guidelines will help make your move as stress-free as possible for both you and your plants. To keep plants safe, removalist expert Ed Burton, Co-Founder and CEO at Upmove shares his top tips on how to prep and pack houseplants for moving.

First, be selective and only keep what you can

When you’ve collected several houseplants over time, parting ways with them may not have been in the cards. However, plants are highly sensitive and might not thrive in unstable environments – like long journeys. Choose plants that are stable, sturdy and have the highest chance of surviving in a new environment. 
If this proves to be difficult, Ed suggests selecting plants with sentimental value or ones that are unusual or rare and you’d unlikely find someplace else.

Check if your plants are suitable to move interstate

If moving interstate, make sure to check your destination’s agriculture department policy beforehand as there might be specific conditions to transport plants across states. Due to the biosecurity requirements in place, not all types of plants or soil are allowed across state borders to prevent the spread of pests and plant diseases. 
Failing to do so could impose fines if you carry banned houseplants, so make sure to do your research before moving.

Consider travel time and the climate of your new home

When moving long-distance, consider the duration of travel and climate of your new destination, as some plants may not be able to survive the journey or change in condition. Due to their state of dormancy, plants typically adapt to new surroundings the best within early spring and late fall. Ed suggests planning and coordinating travel or move-in days around the right season for your plants to increase their chances of survival. 

Move plants back into nursery pots two weeks in advance

Houseplants are sensitive to drastic changes and are prone to stress, moving these in nursery pots in advance enables them to settle in and get used to the new conditions for travel. This is also a chance to check the state of your plants and provide necessary steps, such as changing soil, removing dust and checking for signs of pests or plant disease, to confirm if these are healthy and suitable to be moved interstate.
On move-in day, use a damp paper towel to keep the soil down and use tape to hold the stem in place. This ensures your potted plants are secure and kept hydrated during the drive. You can also water your plants three days before to prevent the soil from drying out without making the pots too heavy on the day.

Match the boxes with your plants’ corresponding sizes

Before moving, ensure the boxes are durable enough to protect and hold the plants in place, especially at the bottom. While corresponding the box sizes with your plants ensure that there will be enough space and distance between the top of the box and the tallest plant to avoid breaking. 
If using heavy-duty cardboard boxes, prep these by poking holes around the surface – this assures that the plants can get enough air circulation during transport. On move-in day, don’t tape or close the lid too firmly to allow enough room for the plants to breathe, Ed shares.

Use support sticks and tea towels to keep plants in place

The drive can be unpredictable, therefore, it is crucial to provide as much support for your plants to keep them safe. When moving taller plants, use support sticks to keep the stem steady and stabilised, then place a bag big enough to cover the entire plant to keep it protected.
To avoid major collisions during the move, wrap the plant pots with padded materials like packing foam and arrange the pots close to each other in the box, but be careful to not damage the leaves. Utilise tea towels or cushions to place in between and keep them reinforced.

Pack your boxed plants in the vehicle last

Put your boxed plants in the car last to ensure these are getting sufficient light and air before the long trip. If travelling for over days, Ed emphasises not leaving your plants in the car overnight, bringing them inside with you and opening the lid to allow light and air.
Alternatively, hiring experienced removalists to help with transporting plants and other fragile items for moving days can be more beneficial. The right removalists will have the appropriate equipment to safely move your plants into your new home – easing the stress of moving.