Happy glad young african american husband and wife relaxing on couch in living room with cardboard boxes and plants, enjoy moving, buying real estate, renting apartment, having rest after renovation

How to move with plants

You’re moving. You’ve got the boxes, the tape, the labels, and the time but no clue on how to get your plants from point A to point B. Don’t worry, you got this. Moving can be a stressful situation not only for you but for your plants too. A little prep work will go a long way in making sure your plants arrive happy and alive to your new space.

  • Prep Work  Clean your plants by removing any leggy stems, dead leaves, or prune to make the move less cumbersome. Treat your plants to make sure you don’t bring along any unwanted pests.
  • Transfer your plants from the larger, heavy decorative planters to plastic pots. It will make them easier to move and lessen the chance of breakage while in transit. This should be done ahead of time to give your plants time to acclimate to their temporary digs.
  • Use boxes to move your plants easily. Add packing paper or bubble wrap to prevent containers from shifting or tipping over while traveling. Poke holes in the box for proper airflow.
  • Water and Temperature Depending on the time of year and type of plants you have; they may need more or less water to make the trek. If you are moving when it is hot, your plants will appreciate a drink of water just before heading out. If you are traveling for more than a day, you should check your plants to make sure the aren’t too hot and properly watered throughout the trip. Don’t leave them in a hot car. Take them in and let them breathe if you stay overnight. Same goes for colder climates. Limit watering to avoid soil getting too soggy and protect from frigid air and temperatures lower than what the plants are accustomed to. Most plants are comfortable within the range of 50-80°F but look into specifics for your plants to be sure they don’t get chilled beyond repair.
  • Piece Out  Some plants may just be too much to move based on their size or your new accommodations. Whatever the case may be, you can take a piece with you and start fresh with a cutting. Check out how to properly propagate your plants to make sure you have the best odds for growing the next generation of a loved houseplant.
  • Parting Gift In some cases, you know you just can’t take a plant with you. As sad as it may be, you probably have friends and family that are also sad to see you go. Gift them one of your plants as a way to stay connected with them. Another option would be to donate to a favorite local business, school, charity or a library.

Share this post