Moving is a period in a person’s life when it looks like there’s nothing else to do except packing, planning, purchasing supplies, and working out the budget. After packing delicate chandeliers and pricey electronics, you sure wonder how to move house plants long distance.
With our tips on relocating your herbs, you'll become an expert for traveling with a favorite plant
Believe it or not, this might be more complicated than moving a business to another state. Of course, it’s easy to say – just donate your herbs like you would donate other unwanted items, or give to your friends and family if they want to take them. But, what to do if that cactus has sentimental value for you? Or that sweet shrub you’ve put a lot of effort and faith into watching it grow? Are you moving into a smaller home or to a different climate?
Fortunately, there is hope. Our guide will help you find out the essential answers, packing tricks, and moving tips on how to transport your herbs even if you’re creating a photo inventory, checking the safety of the neighborhood, and moving alone to another state. Stay with us, find out the best tips for packing quickly, and how to fit your indoor jungle with a new environment without making common moving mistakes, no matter what might be your reasons to move.
When traveling across the borders, make sure your flora is safely packed
To Look for Moving Services or Not?
When you figure out the best time of the year to move and where you want to move, and choose to bring your plants with you, keep in mind that your flora is a living organism, and its transportation across the borders is a bit different than relocating your kitchen table or carpet. If you can feel relocation anxiety or relocation depression, so can they, or something similar to it. That’s why your plants require full care before and during the trip and taking them with you primarily depends on two factors: the law and the prospective state’s growing conditions. So, before you plan your moving budget to reduce the costs of moving, hire a professional moving company, and schedule the day of your departure (maybe during the cheapest time of the year to relocate), consider these factors, and become familiar with law and regulations.
Know the Law
There is no universal set of rules for all states for those moving with plants – and it’s one of the most important things to consider when relocating to a new state with them. You should check the laws and regulations of the state you’re planning to relocate and decide ahead of time whether you want to organize moving with or without your plants. In case you found a job before moving to another state, make sure to research their regulations thoroughly. For example, some states have specific requirements when it comes to allowing entry to herbs, and some of them are:
- Only herbs which have been kept indoors are permitted to enter
- Herbs must be potted
- The specific class of soil must have an entry permits
Of course, keep in mind that your new state’s overall climate is probably the crunch point. If the rainfalls are frequent, and your plant should have plenty of sunlight and dry conditions, consider leaving it with a neighbor or your family when it’s time to move.
To have your lush corner in another home, you should transport your herbs in your vehicle safely
How to Move House Plants Long Distance – Moving to a New Home Stress-Free
The most crucial thing when it comes to relocation over great distances is to make sure your herbs survive the large gap and stay healthy along the way. There are several preliminary steps you should bear in mind and smart long-distance relocation tips you should follow before packing your lush flora. If you overlook something, the risk of drying or damage after the trip becomes much higher.
Preliminary Steps Are Important
Your herbs have to be in good condition, meaning dead leaves and branches are not desirable. You should remove them a few weeks ahead of the move, and take care of dust, weeds, and pests one week before. If you have large herbs, their pots are heavy and difficult for safe transportation. Transplant them in lightweight, plastic pots before the final day, and mitigate the whole process both for you and them.
If you’re moving across town, your herbs will survive even if you pack them in open boxes. However, traveling long-distance may be complicated since you need to provide them with lots of fresh air, sun, and mild temperature. Although too much water is not recommended while traveling, you have to be very careful during hot, summer days and provide sufficient moisture.
What Do You Need to Pack Your Herbs Properly
Plants are one of the items movers won’t move, since they are seen as species that require special treatment and conditions. But, if your herbs have permission to enter your new state, don’t worry. You can pack them appropriately, and they’ll reach your housewarming environment safely. Make sure to obtain the different packing materials such as:
- A sturdy, small box for each pot
- Plastic pots
- Sterilized potting soil
- Packing paper or newspaper
- Bubble wrap
- Flea collars
After you transplant your herbs to plastic pots, use bubble wrap to pack clay pots, and place them in a moving box. A flea collar is vital if your herb has any pests – it’s the best way to draw them out. Make sure to get the required form if your state requires a certified inspection – a local agriculture department can take care of that.
Don’t Forget the Bag
When packing a potted herb, you’ll need a plastic bag. It should cover the pot and be tied at the base to prevent the soil from sifting. After that, your plant should be placed into a sturdy box, with enough newspapers between the sides of the package and pot, to reinforce the whole plant. Make the holes in the box for airflow and label the container with ‘Live Plant.’
Watering is necessary, but don't overdo it
Form Your Charming Bush by Cutting It
If you need to pack your lush greenery, it might be quite challenging. By performing several easy steps in advance, packing it won’t be a problem at all. Taking a cutting can make it easy to bring it to a new home.
Cutting your botanical friends will ensure a safe trip both for you and them
Search for the Right Way to Ship Your Herbs Safely
As we said before, professional movers usually don’t accept your plant to move it across the country together with other household belongings. Therefore, when hiring movers, don’t count on professionals packing them – it will be all up to you. Also, as living organisms, they can’t be placed in storage units while you’re house-hunting and wait for the apt moment when you’ll be able to take them over again. To be honest, in those conditions, your herbs could hardly survive the trip even if you’re relocating to the suburbs nearby. There are several options to consider and give your herbs a chance to meet your new place:
- Put them in your vehicle
- Ship your herbs by air
- Send your botanical friends through the mail
If you opt for the plane or mail shipment, make sure to comply with TSA rules. Also, check if there are any restrictions if you choose the USPS, USP, or FedEx. The mail is not the most reliable way, but if you don’t have any other option, you should protect your plant from extreme temperatures, and choose the fastest shipping method possible. Also, if you choose to hire auto shipping services, you’ll see that many long-distance companies won’t allow herbs to travel in the car. Thus, if you’re planning to transport your car across the country, you should learn how car shipping works.
Don't rush and you will find the right way to transport herbs
Your Plants Like a Comfortable Temperature
When moving herbs in your car, your environment should be temperature-controlled. It’s much easier to supervise your herbs when they are placed next to you during transportation. That means you can protect them from too much sunlight if you’re relocating in the summer, or water them if needed, but avoid overwatering the soil. It’s better to wait until you arrive at your new home.
If you didn’t have a clue on how to move house plants long distance, we hope we helped you solve your dilemmas and alleviate some moving stress. Although it’s not as easy as it looks, you could see it’s not too complicated. Just check on time what is a set of rules related to transporting the flora of your state and inquire whether there are additional specific requirements. Be ready to prepare your herbs as best as possible, and expect your move to be a breeze.
