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Whether you’re moving a long distance or just around the block, it’s important to carefully pack all of your most important items and make sure they make it to your new home safely. That said, most people aren’t sure how to pack plants for moving and end up with a big mess.
Auburn Moving & Storage has plenty of tips for how to transport plants when moving. Learn how to take all of your potted plants with you, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the number-one moving company in Orangevale for extra assistance.
Make a Strategy for Moving Plants
The first thing to do before packing plants is to make a strategy for your move. If you have tons of house plants or an impressive outdoor garden, you’ll need to be careful when packing and transporting them.
Make a list of each of your live plants and their sizes. You’ll need extra space in a moving truck or your car to accommodate larger plants, while a small plant is easy to transport. If you’re moving to a different state, you should check if there are any local restrictions for moving houseplants.
Another key part of your packing strategy is to consider the plant type and the conditions it needs. If you’re planning to leave plants in a confined space before your move, make sure they can still receive direct sunlight and avoid extreme temperatures.
Gather the Necessary Materials
When packing your clothes and houseware items, a moving box, bubble wrap, and packing paper are usually all you need. To move your plants, however, you should use other materials that will promote healthy growth. Using the right packing material is essential if you want to know how to transport plants when moving.
Experts recommend that plant parents gather the following items before moving plants:
- Plastic pots
- Plastic bags
- Paper towels
- Sterilized potting soil
Start Packing Your Indoor Plants
You need to transfer any potted plant in your home to a plastic pot. Clean out your heavy ceramic pots and pack them with other fragile objects. Place plants into a plastic pot with sterilized soil and leave them like this before your move.
A few days before you move out, prune any dead leaves from the healthy plant and water it so the soil remains moist while traveling. Be sure to transfer any plant babies that may sprout out of your potted plants and include them in your move. Place a plastic bag over each of the potted plants on moving day so they don’t make a mess if the pot tips over.
If you have a lot of small plants, it can take a long time to pack all of them ahead of your move. One of the best moving tips is to always allow yourself enough time to pack.
Prepare Your Outdoor Plants
Once all of your indoor plants are ready, you may want to ship plants that come from your garden or transport them in your car. Some people find shipping plants to be easier, especially if they are moving a long distance. Don’t forget to poke air holes in the packaging and label it so the shipping company is aware it’s a live plant.
It’s fairly easy to transport large plants and flowers from your garden on your own. Cut the plant and wrap the stems in wet paper towels so the roots stay damp, then secure them with a plastic stem holder. You can cover these plants with plastic wrap and load them with your others, but make sure to avoid air conditioning or extreme cold.
Another way to pack an outdoor plant is to transfer it into a pot with soil and transport it like your indoor plants.
Make Use of Anything You Can’t Pack
Plant lovers may not be able to take every single one of their pots or trees with them. You might not have enough space in your moving vehicle or your new home. In some instances, the state you’re moving to restricts certain plants from entering its borders.
Luckily, you don’t have to waste any of your hard work. Offer a plant to your family members, friends, and loved ones so they can care for it in their homes. Another option is to donate the plants to a local hospital or nursing home.
Efficiently Move and Unpack
Once you have all of your plants ready to go, it’s time to pack them into the truck and head to your new home. Here’s how to transport plants when moving so they remain in good shape.
Pack the covered pots in boxes so you can easily carry them. Put your plant-specific boxes in the cab of the truck or a spot in your car that receives sunlight. Check plants throughout the trip and water them if necessary, especially if you’re moving a long distance and have several days of driving ahead.
Take the plants out of the car if you’re embarking on a long trip and need to stay overnight somewhere so they don’t feel the shock of extreme temperature changes. Once you arrive in your new home, make unpacking the plants your top priority.
After all, they are living things that need to adapt to a new environment. Place them back in their original pot as quickly as possible and store them in a spot with plenty of sunlight. Plant anything in your new garden with fresh mulch.
Auburn Moving & Storage Can Help With Transporting Plants
Now that you know how to transport plants when moving, use these tips to your advantage. Simplify your experience by hiring a moving company that will care for all of your fragile items. Auburn Moving & Storage can help you move most plants into your car and can advise you on the difference between local and long-distance moving.
Our professionals guarantee all of your possessions get to your new home safely. Make your upcoming move less stressful by hiring one of the best moving companies around. Call (916) 786-8683 to book a moving truck.
