Moving Plants
Can I move my plants long distances?
Moving houseplants on a moving van is usually not a good idea. The extremes in temperature and the lack of fresh air and moisture can be fatal. It will be up to your driver to decide whether to move your plants. In most cases the mover cannot assume liability for plants.
Consider giving your plants to friends, hospitals, libraries, or selling them. If you decide to move them, however, you will have to take some precautions to ensure that they arrive in good condition:
- Re-pot plants in clay pots into unbreakable, plastic containers.
- Prune larger plants.
- Eliminate insects or plant parasites.
- Give your plants their normal dose of water. In winter, roots saturated with moisture may freeze. In summer, too much water can result in fungus growth.
- Pack your plants the night before, or the morning of, your move. Conventional packing cartons are good for moving plants. Cushion branches and leaves of the plant with soft paper. Punch air holes in the sides of the box. Your plants should be able to travel safely for up to four days.
Shock
Some houseplants are susceptible to shock when moving. More time in transit won't make the shock greater, but it will take the plant longer to recover.
Temperature
Temperatures below 5°C or above 30°C for over an hour can be fatal. Plants in properly wrapped cartons will withstand a wider range of temperatures.
Water
Plants should be moist. Most can survive a week to 10 days without being watered and suffer little harm.
Darkness
When other conditions are favourable, houseplants can tolerate darkness for up to a week. However, too long in darkness and plants start to put out abnormal growth and are more susceptible to disease. Limit sun exposure for the first few days after the move.
Rules and regulations regarding plants
Houseplants can be moved from province to province without any special inspections. If you're moving houseplants across borders, check federal, provincial, and state regulations and make sure there are no plant quarantines in effect.
