Newsletter Articles
How to Move to a New Home With Your Plants
Potted houseplants can usually make a move with you, but an established in-ground shrub or tree loses much of its root system when it is dug and may not survive the trip, and moving plants across state lines can be restricted. Decide what is worth taking, prepare each plant by watering it well and checking it for pests, protect it from heat and cold on the road, settle it into its new home gradually, and check the rules before you cross a state line.
Quick answer: Take the plants that travel well, prepare and protect them for the trip, re-acclimate them slowly at the new home, and check USDA and state rules before crossing a state line.
- Potted houseplants and small potted plants travel best because their roots stay intact; big in-ground shrubs and trees are hard to move and often do not recover.
- Before the move, water each plant well and inspect it closely for insects and disease so you do not carry pests to your new home.
- Move garden plants in the cool, dormant season, and dig a wide root ball if you lift an in-ground plant.
- In transit, protect plants from heat and cold and keep the roots from drying out.
- At the new home, reintroduce light gradually, water appropriately, and expect some leaf drop that usually passes.
- Moving plants or soil across state lines can be restricted, so check USDA APHIS and your destination state before you go.
| Plant type | How well it moves | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Houseplants in pots | Move well; the roots stay intact in the pot. | Prepare and protect them; most make the trip fine. |
| Small potted outdoor plants | Move well; easy to load and carry. | Treat like houseplants and shelter them from temperature swings. |
| Established perennials and shrubs | Harder; digging loses many feeder roots. | Move only in the cool season with a wide root ball, or leave them. |
| Large trees | Very hard; big soil balls are heavy and need equipment. | Usually best left behind or handled by a professional. |
| Any plant crossing state lines | May be restricted to stop pests. | Check USDA and the destination state before you go. |
Which Plants Are Worth Taking
Start by being honest about what will survive the move. A plant in a pot carries its whole root system with it, so it travels well, but an established in-ground plant is a different story. Iowa State University Extension notes that transplanting, no matter how carefully it is done, results in the destruction of a large portion of the absorbing root area.[1] Clemson Cooperative Extension warns that without advance preparation a dug plant may die from transplant shock because of that root loss.[2] Large specimens are hardest of all: University of Minnesota Extension points out that balled plants can be difficult to transport and plant without special equipment because of the weight of the soil ball, and Iowa State notes a large ball can weigh over a thousand pounds and may call for a professional.[3][1] So take the pots and the sentimental favorites you can dig well, and consider leaving big established plants behind. Knowing exactly what each plant is helps you judge its value, and the same questions apply when you decide whether to replace an aging plant rather than haul it along.
How to Prepare Your Plants Before the Move
A little preparation makes the difference between a plant that arrives healthy and one that limps. Water each plant before the move; University of Minnesota Extension advises watering thoroughly beforehand to hydrate the plant and to keep soil from sifting out during transport.[3] Inspect every plant closely so you do not carry pests to your new garden. University of Illinois Extension recommends checking plants thoroughly for insects such as aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites, and USDA APHIS advises looking for insects, egg masses, discoloration, or signs of disease on the leaves, stems, and soil.[4][5] If you are lifting a garden plant, time it for the cool, dormant season: both Clemson and University of Minnesota Extension say bareroot trees and shrubs move best while they are dormant.[2] A crowded perennial is often easier to bring along as a division than as a whole clump, and if you are moving within the fall or winter you are already in the right window.
Keeping Plants Safe During Transport
The move itself is the riskiest stretch, mostly because of temperature and dry roots. Clemson Cooperative Extension notes that temperatures of 50 degrees F or lower can damage many tropical plants, so a plant left in a freezing vehicle, or a baking one, can be harmed quickly.[6] The other danger is the roots drying out. Clemson calls drying the single most important cause of failure for bareroot plants and advises keeping roots moist, wrapped in plastic or wet paper, with replanting as soon as possible.[2] Keep the soil of potted plants lightly moist, not soggy, since University of Minnesota Extension notes that a well-watered root ball also holds together instead of sifting apart in transit.[3] As a practical matter, carry plants where you can control the temperature rather than in a hot or freezing cargo area, and wedge the pots so they cannot tip.
Settling Plants Into Their New Home
Unpack your plants as soon as you arrive and let them re-acclimate slowly rather than dropping them straight into a sunny window or bed. Clemson Cooperative Extension advises reintroducing light gradually over about a week, because plants moved immediately into direct sunlight will burn, and it warns that a plant may yellow or drop some leaves as it adjusts, which is normal and usually passes.[6] Water appropriately and hold off on heavy feeding or repotting until the plant resumes growth. It is also smart to keep newly moved plants apart from the ones already at your new home for a couple of weeks: USDA APHIS recommends keeping transported plants separate and watching for signs of pests or disease before mixing them in.[5] When you do replant, give roots a good start with healthy soil.
Rules on Moving Plants Across State Lines
Before a long-distance move, check the rules, because plants and soil are regulated when they cross state lines. USDA APHIS explains that moving plants or plant parts from one area to another can spread pests and diseases, and it tells people to confirm whether any quarantines apply before they move plant material.[5] California is especially strict: the California Department of Food and Agriculture runs border protection stations that inspect vehicles and plant material entering the state and asks travelers to declare all plants for inspection, and in a typical year it reports inspecting more than 20 million private vehicles and rejecting tens of thousands of lots of plant material.[7] This is not a reason to panic, just a reason to plan: check USDA APHIS and your destination state department of agriculture before you move, rather than guessing at the rules.
Moving With Plants FAQ
Can I take my plants when I move?
Usually yes for potted houseplants and small potted plants, which keep their roots intact. Established in-ground shrubs and trees are much harder; Iowa State University Extension notes that digging destroys a large portion of the roots, so big plants may not survive.[1] Take what travels well and consider leaving large specimens behind.
How do I prepare a plant for moving?
Water it well beforehand and inspect it for pests. University of Minnesota Extension advises watering thoroughly to hydrate the plant and hold the soil together, and University of Illinois Extension recommends checking for insects like aphids, mealybugs, and scale before the move.[3][4]
How do I keep plants alive during a long move?
Protect them from temperature extremes and keep the roots from drying out. Clemson Cooperative Extension notes temperatures of 50 degrees F or lower damage many tropical plants, and that dry roots are the leading cause of transplant failure, so keep roots moist and replant as soon as you can.[6][2]
Can I move an established garden plant?
Sometimes, but it is hard. Clemson Cooperative Extension says to dig a root ball wide enough to capture enough feeding roots for the plant to recover, keep it moist, and replant promptly, ideally in the dormant season.[2] Very large plants may need a professional and are often best left behind.
Is it legal to move plants across state lines?
It can be restricted. USDA APHIS explains that moving plants and soil can spread pests and diseases and advises confirming whether quarantines apply before you move, and California inspects incoming plants at its border stations.[5][7] Check USDA APHIS and your destination state before you go.