Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Conneticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Puerto Rico

You may not realize, but before moving plants, you should do a little more research on this before you assume you’re moving company is going to take them.  Here are some tips whether you are moving locally or long distance, where you will be crossing state borders.

Don’t just assume your home mover is going to transport your plants, especially when it comes to local or interstate moves.  Most  interstate home movers will not transport them unless they have a permit from the APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and PPQ) When moving out of state, movers are required to have a permit issued by this administration into and out of the this country and throughout the states to transport, load, unload, plant products, plants, and soil in cargo throughout the United States per the USDA-APHIS to ensure they are being transported safely, Under the Plan Protection Act of 2000,).  If you are a moving company or transportation company looking to obtain a permit, you can contact USDA-APHIS-PPQ at 4700 River Road, #133, Riverdale, MD, phone # 1-877-770-5990.

Many states have very strict laws when it comes to allowing plants into their states, especially states like California, Arizona, and Florida due to their precious crops.  Some states do not have pests and diseases, and by allowing other state plants/fruits etc, that may contaminate other states if items are transported from state to state, and in the long run pose as a threat to everyone.  That is why it is very important to check your state rules and regulations ahead of time, before assuming you can take your plants with you to another state.     Also after doing your research, you may want to consider before transferring your plants to another state is contacting your local Dept of Agriculture and have them inspect your plants of pests, molds, mildew, and disease, anything that can be transported to another place.  Once the inspection is made, they will provide you with a Certificate of Phytosanitary (this document serves the purpose of stating your plant is pest free, treatment free, disease free, etc).  If your state does allow plants they may only allow uncontaminated soil from indoor grown plants, the soil must not be contaminated, treated, etc, and not taken from the outdoors.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine Program, Plant Health Agencies, and the US Dept of Agriculture regulate the transfer and shipment of all plant in the United States. By contacting the states Dept of Agriculture, you can find out what laws are in effect for transporting plants in and out of your state, and if you need your plant or plants inspected contact them to come out and do an inspection for you, in case the state you are moving to requires a stamp, seal, certificate, etc.  Find your state representative here. Another link you can check with is the National Plant Board, they have information on the state laws and governing bodies when it comes to transporting your plants.

If your home mover does transfer plants, after getting the Certificate of Phytosanitary, check with your company to see if they need to package them up specially or whether you are required to do so yourself.  If your moving company does not transfer plants, another option to consider would be to take the cutting of the plants.  Place them in a wet moss or wet peat moss and newspaper, you can put them in a plastic baggy or Ziploc bag (do not seal it, leave it open so they can breathe).  Then you can regrow the plants at your new location.   You may want to check with a specialty transportation company if your moving company does not take your plants if you are set on having your plants moved, and your state allows it.

So remember, check with your state administrations, check with your home mover before assuming your plant is going to be welcome in another state.

Stop.   Before you assume, that your smart movers are going to take your plants, you may want to make a phone call to confirm this, whether they are an agent for a van line, or an independent local moving company, call them first.  Most local movers will not move plants due to the fact that there is no way you can strap a plant in a truck, they do not want to get their equipment dirty, and liability on the life of your plant, and other reasons (insects, pests, mold, mildew).  If your mover does transport plants, this is usually pretty rare and they are specialized in doing so.  So what do you do, most movers will tell you to move them yourself.  So here are some tips for transporting your own plants, or if your mover does take plants then here are some tips for packing your plants properly.

1. Ceramic and glass pots are too heavy, so you may want to consider transferring your plants into a plastic, non breakable pot, usually like a month before you are going to make a move.  Your plant can be very sensitive to moving so you want to make sure it is nourished and adjusted to the container well enough, to make the trip.
2. Check for pests, mildew, mold, insects, anything that can infest your new home.  You can call the Dept of Agriculture to do an inspection, to ensure they are pest free.
3. Move only plants that have been in sterile soil.  You do not want to transfer any plants that have been outdoors due to the fact you may be bringing some unknown creatures to your new area.
4. If you cannot take your plants, you can cut the trimmings and replant at your new destination.  Cut the trimmings; place them in wet peat soil, or wet soil, and newspaper.  You can place these in an unsealed plastic baggy, so they have air to breathe.
5. Remember if you are using movers, you will not be able to insure your plants since they need to have a certain temperature, air to breathe, and enough water.
6. When packing your plants, you may want to use a wardrobe box for large plants and small trees, or a box like a dish pack, that is open on the top and cushioned on the bottom with plastic if a little damp, and paper in-between, so the plants are not tipping around and are in the box snug.  In the cold weather, when the weather is low in temperatures, you can put your plant in a plant sleeve, plants slide through them to provide the plant with warmth.  Moving smaller plants in a car or SUV can be a good option.
7. You should trim back any leaves or stems to condense space taken by the plant.
8. Make sure you are watering your plant on its regular schedule and giving it the appropriate nutrients, so it is strong for the move.  Remember do not overwater, or underwater as this can have different effects on the plant depending on the time of year it is and season.
9. You may want to consider pruning your plants to allow the best delivery for them and the stronger they will be, but do this about 2-3 weeks before you are going to move your plant so they are strong.
10. Remember when packing, you should pack you plants last, since they do need the most care, and will be confined for the shortest amount of time.  If you transport your plants in your car on a multiple day trip, make sure they get some sun every day.

When transporting your plants in the winter, remember indoor plants need warm temperature to survive, so move your plants quickly, avoid them touching the inside of cars, doors, etc since this can damage the plant.  Try to avoid putting your plant in a trunk, so they do not suffocate.

When you arrive at your destination, try to take your plants out of the boxes right away and avoid moving them too much, as too much movement is not good for your plant and they need to get acclimated to their surroundings.

Remember your plant will experience some sort of damage after being moved, since being in a new environment, they will need to adjust to different lighting, air, atmosphere, etc.