Relocating one’s household is an occasion that necessitates considerable preparation and time. Nevertheless, with adept organizational abilities, the task can be accomplished with relative ease. For individuals who cherish plants, knowing how to move plants is of paramount significance and entails a delicate process, as plants are living entities.
That is why we have created this step-by-step guide on how to move your plants. The most important thing is that your plants survive the move, and that is precisely the plan. While you focus on how to pack plants for moving, the New York moving company can gladly assist you with moving the rest of your household items.
Deciding Whether To Move Your Plants Or Not?
Depending on where you are about to move and where you will live, you need to decide if it is possible to take your plants. The decision of moving plants may depend on a couple of factors, while the most important are the plant’s type and size.
Downsizing
If you are moving to a smaller apartment, make a plan of where your furniture will go. Larger plants require space, and so do the little ones, although unmeasurably less. If you keep your plants outside on the terrace, for example, but you are now moving to an apartment without a balcony, consider not moving plants. Still you can leave them at home or give them to close friends or family members as a moving away gift. Think about whether moving with plants is the right thing that you can do for them, since certain plant species most likely won’t survive the whole moving process.
Law Restrictions
If you are moving to another country, you need to check whether your plants are on the list of prohibited items before you move. Certain plants are not permitted to import due to the possible illnesses they can get and potentially harm other plants. At the customs, all the items will be checked, so if your plants are among the prohibited ones, you will not be able to import them. And in order not to torture them, leave them at home.
To avoid any potential complications, it is recommended to contact customer service and inquire about the permissibility of transporting one’s plants or utilizing the internet. It is further advised to establish direct communication with the appropriate authorities to ensure complete clarity on the matter.
Give Them to Your Friends and Family
If you do not have enough space or cannot import your new country’s plants, think about giving them to your friends and family. Just make sure that they do have enough room for your plants, and of course, that they are plant lovers. Also, don’t forget to share how they should take care of the plants.
How to Pack Your Plants For Move
How to pack plants for moving is crucial to ensure their safety and survival during the move. Follow these steps to pack them –
Start by collecting quality packing essentials like sturdy cardboard boxes, plastic pots, packing paper, old towels, bubble wrap, and tape. These materials will help cushion your plants and prevent damage during transit.
Transfer your plants from heavy ceramic pots to lightweight plastic ones a few weeks before the move. This not only reduces the risk of pot breakage but also makes handling easier.
To prevent the soil from spilling, cover the base of the plant with plastic wrap or a plastic bag. Secure it around the stem with a rubber band.
Line the bottom of a cardboard box with crumpled paper or towels. Place the plants upright, ensuring they fit snugly to minimize movement. Use more packing paper or bubble wrap to fill gaps and provide extra stability.
Mark the boxes as “Fragile: Live Plants” and indicate which side should stay upright. This alerts movers to handle the boxes with extra care.
With these steps, you will be able to pack and move your plants safely, and they will be well-prepared for their journey to their new home.
How to Move Your Plants Safely
To ensure a successful move, it’s crucial to stay organized. Following the tips to move plants safely may take a few weeks, but it’s worth the effort to keep your plants healthy and happy. Here’s a list of tasks to tackle each week leading up to your move.
Two-three Weeks Before the Move
When considering how to move large plants, it’s important to re-pot them into plastic pots. Larger plants are often in ceramic pots, but using plastic pots minimizes the risk of pot-breaking during the move. Transporting plants in ceramic pots can lead to breakage, creating a mess and putting your plants at risk of dying—definitely something to avoid. To ensure a smoother move, use plastic pots for your large plants.
Two Weeks Before the Move
Remove all the dead leaves and branches from your plants. If you aren’t sure how to do it yourself, you hire a professional to do it for you. Either way, make sure you know what you’re doing with the plants. Prune them as they will not waste energy and will be more likely to survive the trip. Plus, with no excess leaves and branches, it will be much easier to handle the move.
A Week Before the Move
Check out your plants and see if there are any pests or something that you should be concerned about. It will be easier to treat your plants before you move, as you will already have plenty of things to do when you unpack. If you find pests, make sure to treat the plant before moving, as these little vermin could make your moving day a living hell, especially if you’re moving different plants at the same time.
Not treating the aforementioned plant can lead to the extermination of all herbs you plan on moving. Those of you that don’t have experience with taking care of similar problems should hire a professional. Additionally, customs may make a problem if they notice the plant is ill. If needed, throw away the ill plant to save others.
Two-three Days Before the Move
Water your plants so that they are hydrated. It is not a good idea to water them on the day of the move, as you will potentially have soaked up moving boxes.
Choose the Transportation Method
And choose it wisely. You have three options when it comes to transportation methods. The first option is to hire a moving company. However, most moving companies do not accept moving plants. Some will accept it if the journey does not last longer than a day. Affordable movers can undoubtedly help you with moving everything else.
But, if you choose to transport your plants with your own car, you will increase the chances of your plants surviving the move. So, the second and the safest option is by car. The third option is to ship your plants via mail. People do this regularly and are satisfied with the service, so if you do not have a car, go for it.
Pack Plants in the Moving Boxes
The final thing that you should do is pack your plants in the free cardboard boxes NYC. For this occasion, it is best if you can take several medium-sized boxes. Cover the bottoms of the boxes with crumpled paper or old towels. Use the paper to cover the plastic pots. If you have two pots for one box, cover them with the same paper, so they can stay together and not move. Leave the boxes open so that your plants can breathe.
There are various guides and tips online, so make sure to check out all of the available information on packing up plants. Don’t be shy and ask family and friends to help you with the matter as older people have more experience with handling herbs or hire professional services.
During the Plant Move
When moving plants, it’s essential to check their placement before hitting the road. Avoid putting them in the back of your car, as this is a common mistake. Instead, keep them close to you, ideally in the front seat, so you can better care for them during the journey.
If your plants thrive in direct sunlight and heat, position them to face the sun—but be cautious not to expose them to excessive brightness that may cause burning. Turn on the A/C to maintain a comfortable temperature in the car. If your plants should not be exposed to direct sunlight, cover them with a light sheet or newspaper, and make room for them in the back seat.
It’s crucial to periodically inspect your plants and take necessary precautions while moving plants, especially for long-distance relocations. Some plant varieties may need intermittent watering, so assess their needs and make adjustments as necessary. During extended breaks, avoid exposing plants to extreme temperatures by never leaving them in the car.
If you’re moving with plants and need to spend the night at a hotel, bring your plants inside with you to ensure they’re safe. Though this may seem like a hassle, it’s vital to keep a close eye on your plants during the move. If you cannot commit to these care instructions, it’s better to gift your plants to family or friends to ensure their well-being.
Final Thoughts
Once the move is over and you arrive at your dream house, take care of your plants first. They should be the first items you take out of your car. Please leave them in front of the house or in the hallway for a few hours so that they can adjust to the new temperature.
It is imperative to ensure that any pets in your possession are kept at a distance from your plants, as they have the potential to cause irreparable damage to your cherished herbs. Following this, the subsequent day, it is possible to transfer them into ceramic pots. However, it is crucial to bear in mind that the herbs must be left outside to acclimate to their new environment, encompassing the temperature and humidity.