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Most US citizens are aware of the hassle that ensures the time comes to move across state borders. Moving means tons of wrapping, packing, sorting and the occasional yard sale. There is, of course, the emotional turmoil of letting go of a house or apartment that you may have owned for years. It is like uprooting yourself from one location and trying to spread your roots in another. However, did you know that you cannot literally do that to your home plants? It might come as a shock to many, but most states have a regulation about which plants can and cannot cross state lines. Those succulents and bonsais that have taken years of watering, pruning and sunning to grow might actually be illegal in some states.

Why is it never simple to transport plants across the country?

Compared to pets, houseplants seem like innocent things that you should be able to transport with you in the truck to your new home. However, the regulations of the new state you are moving to might not see them as innocent leafy things. They can view them as a potential threat to their endemic crops or a haven of plant diseases that can infest their green reserve. Several states in the US depend heavily on crop revenue. For example – Idaho depends on their yearly potato produce, California depends on their citrus orchards, and Minnesota is partial to its corn cultivations. These states protect their cultivable land from pests, weeds and external plant species that have the potential to ruin the yearly crop produce. With the recent giant hogweed invasions, the state authorities in Virginia, Oregon and other parts of northern USA, have become extra thorough in scrutinizing any plant material that attempts to cross state borders.

How do states regulate the flora crossing their state lines?

It is true that no one “smuggles” in weed species into states to wreak havoc on the crops and agriculture, but some plants are invasive even when they are technically not weeds. There are several ways a state can engage in regulation of the transport of plant material.

1. Some states only allow strictly indoor plants that include some cacti, succulents and small herbaceous species.
2. Officials can check the soil quality for traces of other invasive species. The transported plants should have fresh and sterile soil.
3. Some plants require a quarantine period, thorough inspection and a certificate that confirms prior vetting.
4. The lack of certifications or enough cleanliness can result in the confiscation of your houseplant at the borders.
5. A few states in the USA, do not allow the entry of a few species. For example – California actively discourages the transport of pine, oak and nut trees, unless they meet state quarantine statuses.

You can never be too careful about the precious succulent your mother gifted during housewarming or the one you brought as a memory from your honeymoon years ago. Therefore, always check the state laws thoroughly before you decide to cross the border with your plants. Sometimes, it is not enough to consider the laws of the state you are moving to; you also need to think about the rules about plant transport of the states you will be passing during your journey.

Will the houseplant survive in the new weather?

Once you find out which plants you can take and figure out a safe way to transport them, you need to consider the probability of their survival in the new climate. Even the indoor plants have individual preferences in humidity, sunshine, and temperature. If you are planning to shift them outdoors, consider the plant hardiness depending on their area of origin. Some plants have the power to thrive in the heat, while others do amazingly well in a place with two months of snow cover. Nonetheless, finding out about state laws is not enough to breathe a sigh of relief. You need to know if your plant will survive the change once you reach your destination.

How should you prepare your plant for moving?

So, let us say that you have found the perfect nook for your potted plants and the new place is ideal for their growth. However, how are you planning to transport them? Most moving companies do not carry perishables and delicate items like plants. If the move is going to take several days, the plants risk dehydration and wilting. To prevent these headaches, you need to find cross country movers, who specialize in moving such delicate items. Check their comments, testimonials and review sections for learning about the different ways they have handled plants before. Read the complaints and find out why they failed during those projects. In many cases, you might have to prepare the plant by your own hands for moving. It is a fun process for the greenery lovers, who want to carry a bit of their old home to the new state.

Here are a few things you will need for the pots –

1. The plastic containers you might need for replacing clay pots during the move. Clay pots can break easily. They are also safe home for bugs and invisible critters. Replacing these with new plastic pots is necessary.
2. A lot of newspaper and clean packing paper. It will keep the pots from spilling mud and dirt everywhere.
3. Pre-treated and certified sterilized soil recommended for moving. It should be well-hydrated, but not too soft.
4. Rolls of paper towels, sturdy plastic bags, and ties.
5. Bubble wrap is always a mover’s friend, and it will also help during packing of a pot.
6. Flea collars for each pot to draw the pests out. You can find cheap flea collars in bulk at your local pet store or on eBay. Do not go for used ones since they are ineffective when reused.
7. You will also need water since plants can survive for a few days without some, but they can go into shock unless you hydrate them two days before the move.

Always throw a plastic bag over the plant and tie it at the base. That will help you keep the soil contained and the space clean. Get a sturdy box and place the plant in it. Fill in the space between the pot and the box with newspaper for a snug fit. Always label the container as “FRAGILE” and “LIVE PLANT,” so people handing it are careful.