How do I safely transport my houseplants during a long distance move?

Question

How do I pack them and keep them safe (and alive) for a move that will likey take 3 days to drive from point A to point B?

Answer 1

Three days really isn't that bad. The key is to keep them cool and moist.
Water the plants thoroughly 24 hours later wrap the pot in a plastic bag... only the pot, not the plant top. I would pack the plants into boxes, with a few 1" holes in it. Use packing peanuts or crushed newspaper as cushion. Obviously put the boxes on the top of others, so they aren't crushed. Don't let them stay in the boxes (closed up) in temps over 75-80 degrees. Once you get them to your new home... open up the boxes at least, they can stay in the open boxes for a day or two longer if they have to.

Again, mind the laws about state to state transportation.

I work in Michigan, and we get plants from Florida... typically 2-6 days on a truck. Three days is not a big problem.

I hope that this helps
Congratulations on the new home
Good luck-

Answer 2

Water them before you pack them. I've always used boxes and packed the plants closely together so they don't move about. Smaller plants can sit on larger plants soil. They will hold eachother up. Add a whole piece of cardboard to the bottom of the transfer boxes for support.

Please avoid my dumb mistake during a three day move: Imagine loading all of the plants into the back of a Datsun Hatchback and baking them in direct sun for the duration! eek good luck

Answer 3

IF you are moving to California or Florida, you cannot move the plants into the states. Otherwise, water them well and wrap in either brown paper or garbage bags with the tops OPEN...they must have air to live! You should have no problems. Good luck

Answer 4

The way we always take our Geraniums to the Geranium show is to use boxes. Choose cardboard boxes a little bit larger than the pot. Seal up both ends of the box. Then use a knife and cut an X in one end of the box to fit your pot. Wedge the pot inside of the cut X in your box. The boxes keep the plants from bonking into each other. It is extremely helpful if they are in clay of ceramic pots.

Good luck :-)

Answer 5

Try to keep them with you and use lots of foam peanuts to keep them from moving. Some states don't allow you to take new plants into that state so you better check. Florida is one.

Answer 6

use a net, with big holes that way the leaves can hang out and wont be crunched in a box, then you can hang them over all your boxes

Answer 7

I have used straw wrapped around them and then wrap in newspaper