How to pack and move plants

If you are among those people who appreciate the beauty of houseplants and the power of a green touch, you will undoubtedly want to take them with you when moving. Whether you have various low-maintenance plants such as succulents or growing some rare species, the truth is that you will need a solid plan to pack and move plants to a new residence. Thankfully, there are ways to keep your plants healthy and alive while in transit.

The joy of growing plants comes from the healing art of tending to their needs and well-being. Aside from boosting your landscape, adding color and attractive aesthetics to your interior, many people keep household plants to purify the air.

Ensuring enough light, water, appropriate temperature, and air flow is essential for keeping them in good shape. You’ve probably built a set of excellent gardening skills over the years and at this point, you know what conditions are most suitable for your plants’ well-being.

Although some of them are easy to care for and need little attention to thrive, moving them can be a bit tricky. Considering the amount of time, love, and energy you’ve invested in weeding, watering and tending to your plants, no wonder you want to move them with you now that you are about to relocate.

Keeping and tending to your own green realm is rewarding in so many different ways, but when it comes to moving, you might be forced to make some tough decisions. Hopefully, the following guidelines will help you navigate this daunting task successfully.

Keeping your plants alive while moving house

Moving house is all about making decisions, and one of the most important and difficult ones is what will be transferred to a new place and what will be left behind. Moving plants to your new home requires an appropriate strategy as well as solid knowledge and experience.

It is not only up to you whether the plants will be moved or not. There are several factors and logistical issues that may affect your choice – soil type at your new home, size, and type of your new residence, climate, and season. Also, it largely depends on the moving vehicle, whether you are going to pack and move your plants or leave them behind.

Long-distance moves may expose your delicate plants to some significant risks. Whether they are transported by van or airplane, they are shipped at your own risk. The chances are that most moving companies will refuse to move them. Airline companies provide nothing else but transportation, so you will have to make sure that the plants are prepared and adequately packed for shipping.

If transported via airplane or moving truck/van, the plants may suffer from lack of water, space and extremely high or low temperatures… On the other hand, if you personally move plants in your own car, you can regulate the temperature, water them regularly and create a suitable environment. That seems to be the most convenient way, since most of the NYC moving companies are likely to refuse to move plants, defining them as very fragile and delicate.

However, it’s always a good idea to research professional packing services NYC and find companies that specialize in moving plants. It’s a smart investment that will keep your plants alive when moving to a new home.

Deciding whether to pack and move plants

Timely preparation is crucial when relocating delicate items such as plants. The upcoming move will most certainly introduce major changes in your life. Some of them will be enjoyable, while others may give you a hard time. It’s no secret that packing is one of the most dreaded stages of the move. Whether you are doing it room by room or you have your own systematic approach, there will come a time when you will need to prepare your plants for a move. Once your move becomes imminent, you should take your time to figure out the best way to safely pack and move plants.

Moving living things poses a huge responsibility. Living in a house with a large garden is undoubtedly rewarding, but leaving it behind can be a truly heartbreaking experience. Aside from the houseplants, you will be taking with you some garden plants as well. But, since most moving companies will refuse to transport them regardless of the distance, you will be faced with several difficult calls. If you are moving internationally, check for any special local legislation when it comes to moving plants. Some countries have specific regulations when it comes to importing plants.

What if I’m not going to pack and move plants?

Deciding the fate of your plants should come as a result of a thorough risk assessment. If you eventually decide that moving plants is not worth the hassle, there are still several viable options to keep your plants healthy. Although you are emotionally attached to your plants, in most cases they would be better off in some other scenario. So, instead of moving them with you, try to give them a new life without causing any disruption.

• Leave your plants with new homeowners or renters.

When moving to another state, the only logical decision would be to leave plants where they are hoping that the new homeowners or renters will take care of them. Unfortunately, long-distance moves can be devastating for your plants’ well-being.

• Give your plants away.

If there are plant-lovers among your friends, you can be sure that your plants would be in good hands. Household plants that mean so much to you will be properly taken care of after you move to a new place. Remember that you should be able to purchase almost every type of plant after you move to a new home.

• Donate them to charities.

Your precious plants could be a natural mood boost at the local hospitals, nursing homes, schools. Some of the local charity organization will be happy to receive your gift.

Preparing plants for a big day

If you’ve concluded that the pros of moving your delicate plants may outweigh all possible risks, then you should brace yourself for an intense move. Here’s how to add a final touch before moving day comes.

• Start preparing for the move a few weeks in advance. The earlier you start, the more successful your move is going to be.
• Huge plants need to be pruned if it is the right season for it so that they can fit into moving containers. Remove dead leaves and branches and make them less likely to get damaged or torn during the transport.
• Take cuttings from the plants.
• Consider repotting your plants into plastic containers that are much more resistant to impacts than heavy terracotta pots. Furthermore, plastic pots are lighter and easier to handle.
• If pots are breakable, separate them with newspapers or other protective materials.
• Eliminate pests and weeds. If there is some kind of infestation, you should treat it properly rather than moving it and contaminating other plants.
• Water the plants the day before the move, but do not soak it on moving day.
• Place plants into suitable containers and protect leaves with paper. Label each of the boxes properly, so your movers and helpers know how to handle them.
• If you somehow manage to hire movers who will be relocating your plants, let them assess your plants before moving day, since they may occupy a lot of space in the moving vehicle.
• In case you have to transplant your plants from the garden, have an efficient strategy, or ask for professional advice. It’s important to dig the plant up, wrap the root ball in plastic sheeting so that the soil remains slightly wet. Then put the plant in a cool, shaded place.

How to treat plants on moving day

Considering all moving tasks and responsibilities, it should come as no surprise that you may not have enough time to pack and move plants properly. Come moving day, you will have a lot on your plate, and it will be difficult to focus on all important aspects. Here are some safety procedures to follow when you are about to pack and move plants:

• If you are moving during the summertime, keep the plants away from the direct sunlight and spray them regularly. Don’t let them stay in the car or truck overnight.
• Plants are living things, so make sure they do not spend too much time closed in the moving truck.
• Close the boxes on the very moving day, but make sure there is a necessary air flow inside. Quality moving supplies NYC will be your best ally during this challenging transition.
• If you are moving on your own, transport plants in your car, in the passenger area. This way, you can regulate the temperature and adjust the environment.
• When you reach your new home, move plants inside, and leave the boxes open for a while to avoid major shocks. Unpack all the plants after a few hours, water them and find a suitable location.
• Make sure the plants are not exposed to direct sunlight for a while. First, keep them in a darker area and expose them to daylight gradually.
• Consult the local florist if you are not sure whether the water and soil quality is good enough for your plants. They will need to adjust to a new climate and weather conditions after the move, so be patient. Also, be gentle with yourself and with your plants when going through this major life-changing event.