How To Safely Move House Plants? (Expert Tips)

Relocating your plants doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In this post, we provide expert tips on how to safely move house plants, ensuring their health and well-being during the process.

For those looking to transplant their plants to new pots, our guide on when to transplant houseplants offers valuable advice. If you’re curious about the ideal potting mix for your indoor garden, don’t miss our article on what soil is best to use for indoor plants.

Key Takeaways
Proper preparation is key when moving houseplants, including pruning, repotting, and watering them beforehand.
Make sure to secure your plants during transportation to prevent them from tipping over or getting damaged.
Shipping plants is possible but requires careful packaging and labeling, and there may be restrictions on certain types of plants.
Most plants can survive up to two weeks without water, but it’s best to water them thoroughly before and after the move.
Acclimate your plants to their new environment gradually by adjusting their exposure to sunlight and watering schedule.

Dive in and learn how to securely move your houseplants while minimizing stress

Dust Off The Leaves

If you want your house plants to look their best, then it’s important that they’re well-groomed. Dusting off the leaves will help keep them looking healthy and clean and who doesn’t want that?

The best way to do this is by using a soft paintbrush or cotton swab, but if you don’t have one laying around, use any other kind of soft fabric that won’t damage the plant’s delicate surface (like an old t-shirt).

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Water The Plants

After a long day of moving house plants around, the last thing you want to do is water them. But don’t skip this step! Watering will help house plants recover from their stressful experience and allow them time to settle in at their new homes.

Watering after they’ve been relocated is especially important because it allows the plant’s roots to adjust to their new environment and restore themselves after being disturbed.

If you fail to water your plants after moving them, they may suffer from shock or dehydration, which can lead to wilting leaves, drooping stems and even death in extreme cases.

When watering houseplants after moving them:

Water early in the morning – when there are fewer chances of moisture evaporating through exposure during hot weather;
Water until moist – add enough water so that every inch of soil has been soaked;
Water until wet – add enough water so that each pot has about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) worth of water sitting at its bottom.

How To Safely Move House Plants? (Expert Tips)

Make A Large Pot For Your Plant

The first thing you should do when moving house plants is to make sure that the plant is in a large pot. A large pot will help prevent the plant from tipping over. T

he second thing you can do is choose a pot that has at least as much capacity (in terms of size and depth) as the current container you have for your houseplant.

Finally, make sure your new container has enough space to allow for growth!

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Cut Down Tall Stems

Cut down tall stems. When you move house plants, it’s best to cut any high-up stems that are longer than the box or tub itself (usually about half an inch). This reduces the risk of breakage, which can lead to root damage and even kill your plant.

Cut the stems at an angle of 45 degrees (or slightly less) with a sharp pair of scissors, making sure not to cut through any leaves or buds. If you don’t have access to scissors, you can use a sharp knife instead; just be careful not to slice into any leaves or buds!

Wrap The Soil With Plastic Wrap

Wrapping the soil in plastic wrap is a good way to keep it moist, but still allow for air circulation and water drainage.

It also prevents debris from falling into the potting soil, which can cause issues in your new home. You can use any kind of plastic wrap—even sandwich bags will do the trick!

Plastic wrap isn’t the only way to prevent drying out while moving plants; you could also put them in paper bags or cardboard boxes with holes punched through them so they breathe better than if they were covered entirely by plastic wrap.

However, using this method would require making sure nothing gets wet while being transported (i.e., no puddles or rain) and leaving enough room around each plant so that there are plenty of holes for ventilation.

Tie Your Plant To Secure It In The Soil

Tie your plant to the pot. Use a piece of string, twine or a rubber band, and tie it tightly around the stem just below where it breaks through the soil.

This will keep your plant secure during transit so it doesn’t fall out of its pot, but not so tight that it suffocates.

Be sure to remove the string after moving your plant into its new home; otherwise, it could cause rot or damage as time goes on.

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Get Appropriate Boxes For Your Plants.

The best way to find a box that is the right size and strength is to measure the plant itself. To do this, first find out the dimensions of the pot it’s in you can do this by taking out all its soil and holding it up against a wall where you’re moving.

Next, measure across the widest part of your potted plant (or just use your own judgment). Finally, add at least two inches of padding on each side beyond that measurement because some plants are more fragile than others.

Now that you know what size box you need for your chosen houseplant, let’s look at strength: if it looks like one might break under pressure or not withstand carrying weight well enough, don’t use it!

Avoid using cardboard boxes as much as possible since they aren’t sturdy enough for plants’ needs—try plastic or wooden ones instead if possible.

Load The Plants Into Your Vehicle Carefully

As you load your plants into your vehicle, make sure to protect them with a tarp or towels. You should also use a large pot if the plants have large root systems. This will help them stay upright during transport and prevent any damage to their roots.

Prepare A Location For Your Plants During The Trip

A) Keep them cool, shaded and well-watered. Plastic bags are not a good idea as they trap moisture and cause the plants to rot. If you can’t find an appropriate tarp or blanket, use large pots instead of small ones so that there is extra room for air circulation around each plant’s roots.

B) Remove any soil from the root system by watering thoroughly until most of it is gone (do not overwater). Make sure not to damage any roots in this process!

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Transport The Plants Quickly And Safely

When you start moving house plants, it’s important to do so safely. The last thing you want is a broken or dead plant. Here are some tips for transporting the plants in your car:

Drive carefully and don’t go too fast. Driving at high speeds can cause shock and damage to your plants.

Make sure that all of your plants are secure on their racks before starting the trip off right by checking that they’re strapped down tightly enough without being too tight or loose—you don’t want any accidents!

If you’re transporting more than one plant, it’s best to stagger them with each other so there isn’t too much weight on one side of the vehicle (and if possible, put them in two cars if possible). This way they’ll be able to adjust themselves as necessary during transit if needed – otherwise things might get wobbly!

Now that we’ve got everything ready for our trip across town or across country (depending on how far away from home we live), let’s take off!

Unpack The Plants On Arrival At Your New Home

As soon as you arrive at your new home, unpack the plants in a location that has plenty of light. The plants should also be able to drain and get plenty of water.

It’s also important that this location gets plenty of air circulation so that it doesn’t get too humid for your plants.

“Repotting is an essential task for indoor gardening, but it can be challenging to know when and how to do it correctly. Our article on how often should I repot house plants provides valuable insights and advice on repotting indoor plants to ensure their health and growth.”

Conclusion

If you’re planning on moving house plants, there are a few things you should know before getting started. First of all, it’s advisable to move them when they’re not in bloom.

This way, you won’t risk accidentally damaging their flowers or pollinating them with pollen from another plant (which could result in cross-pollination).

Secondly, make sure that all the plants involved are healthy and ready for transportation by checking their soil before re-potting or repotting after moving.

Finally, be patient—it can take up to six weeks for plants to recover from being moved around!

FAQs

Can I move my plants in the same car as my other belongings?

Yes, you can transport your plants in the same car as your other belongings. However, it’s important to ensure that the plants are secure and won’t tip over during transportation.

How do I prepare my plants for a move?

To prepare your plants for a move, make sure to prune any dead or damaged leaves, repot them if necessary, and water them thoroughly a few days before the move. You can also wrap the pots in bubble wrap or newspaper for extra protection during transportation.

Can I ship my plants?

Yes, you can ship your plants, but it’s important to make sure they’re properly packaged and labeled. Be aware that some states have restrictions on shipping certain types of plants.

How long can plants survive without water during a move?

Most plants can survive up to two weeks without water, but it’s best to water them thoroughly before the move and then water them again as soon as possible after you arrive at your new home.

How do I acclimate my plants to their new environment?

To acclimate your plants to their new environment, gradually expose them to the new conditions by placing them in a shady spot for a few hours each day and gradually increasing their exposure to sunlight. You should also adjust their watering schedule to the new environment.

Hellen James

For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.