Moving with Plants: Tips and Tricks for Easy Moving

Table of Contents

• 1. Factors to Consider Before Starting a Move
• 2. The Necessary Packing Materials for Plant Transportation
• 3. How to Prepare Your Plants for the Move?
• 4. How to Take Care of Plants During the Transportation?
• 5. What to Do After the Move?

 

If you prefer to keep your apartment decorated and lively, you were most likely to find that plants make a perfect companion – and might have a few at your current home. However, moving them to a different place isn’t always the simplest task – especially considering longer trips, such as moving to a new country.

Luckily, there is an abundance of tips and recommendations to ensure your plant arrives safely to its new shelter. Follow these easy instructions to know how to handle transporting your plant without damage.

 

Factors to Consider Before Starting a Move

In what season do you plan on moving your plant? Plants are sensitive to temperature alterations. It is highly recommended that you move your plants during the spring season, due to many beneficial factors – such as the great weather!

Be sure to check the climate conditions of the new place accordingly. Perhaps they differ from your current place of residence. In that case, it would be useful to revise your plant’s care routine.

Unfortunately, that isn’t always possible, and sometimes you don’t get to choose the time of your trip. Regardless of the season, keep the plant away from heaters, ovens, and even from windows if you’re moving in the winter. It might be a good idea to check the recommendations of your plant in particular, but most plants thrive when kept in 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit temperature and 40-50% air humidity. If you have a thermostat, it might be easier to provide your plant with accustomed conditions at both your old and new places. For the winter season, it would be a good idea to buy a humidifier.

 

The Necessary Packing Materials for Plant Transportation

In order to move your plants safely, you will need the following packing materials:

• tissue paper;
• packing paper;
• newspaper, or old bed sheets;
• moving boxes;
• a new plastic pot;
• sharp scissors;
• bubble wrap;
• plastic bags;
• paper towels.

 

How to Prepare Your Plants for the Move?

Optimally, the preparation should begin approximately two-three weeks before the move. Give it some time in between the steps of preparing your plant, as too much rapid change can be stressful for the plant to handle.

1. If your plants are in clay pots, repot them into unbreakable plastic pots. Use bubble wrap for wrapping the clay pots, so you could repot your plant back once in a new home.
2. Remove dead branches, limbs, and leaves with sharp scissors. Cutting or pruning damaged parts on a plant will actually help its growth in the long run.
3. Check the plant for any insects or parasites. It is common for indoor plants to attract bugs. Always check the undersides of the plant, as that is where they usually settle.
4. It is best to water your plant about two days before the move (or a day before, if your plant requires special attention). That will certainly be enough to keep the soil moist during the trip. Most plants function well being watered about twice a week. Make sure to not overwater, as too much water can cause fungus in the plant or rotting of the soil.
5. It is also important to know how to pack your plants properly. Although plants can remain boxed for a couple of days without damage, it is still recommended to begin packing them on the day of the trip, or the day before.
6. Initially, pack the new plastic pot inside a plastic bag. Tie it on top and use tape at the base to keep the soil from spilling out. Wrap them with tissue paper or old bed sheets (this might be particularly useful for larger plants). If necessary, trim extremely long branches or vines to avoid them breaking.
7. Choose the moving box based on the size and shape of your plant. For example, most ferns can fit into medium-sized boxes, while snake plants may need a tall (ex. wardrobe) box.
8. Place the plant into a moving box, making sure the pot stays as upright as possible. If needed, fill the box with towels, clothes, paper, or any reliable packing material to immobilize it. Make sure to have air holes in your box to make space for oxygen. Mark the box as “Plants”, so you know which box is best to unpack first upon arrival.
9. Do not place the plant in the trunk. Make sure they stay near you in the vehicle, the same way as you would travel without an animal or child.

 

How to Take Care of Plants During the Transportation?

You have packed the plant successfully, and it now rests comfortably in the vehicle, preparing for the move. Now, the question is how do you take care of it during the move? There are only a few recommendations.

1. First of all, control the temperature in the car, following the same temperature rules as mentioned in the sections above. Again, most plants do well in warm conditions and medium humidity. The car’s air conditioning and heating is usually suitable to guarantee a plant’s well-being during a ride.
2. Keep checking on your plant periodically. If you ever have to leave your car, make sure it doesn’t stay in the sun. Find a place with shadows to prevent harming your plant.

 

What to Do After the Move?

1. First thing first, unpack your plant as soon as possible to ensure it gets some fresh air.
2. If possible, place them in sunlight immediately, and don’t allow them to access any cold air.
3. Check the overall condition of the plant, as well as the soil. Just like before the trip, remove any damaged leaves or stems. Replace any soil that has spilled out into the bag. Do not hesitate to worry if a few leaves have turned yellow, or if you notice a couple of broken benches. It is natural and safe that a plant might need a little time to recover after the trip, acclimatize and fully get used to its new surroundings.

 

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Transporting something as fragile as your favorite house plant can indeed be stressful, yet if you follow up with the instructions, you won’t have anything to worry about. SEKA Moving makes the action of moving plants easy and reliable, so you can relocate and enjoy the presence of your plant at your new home.