When you’re moving, it’s fairly obvious what to do with your picture frames, dishes, clothes, etc. Most of these items get packed right into boxes that are sealed up and placed on a moving truck. But what about your real, live plants? While you can move plants, the time, cost, and effort required will vary dramatically based on how far you’re moving, where to, and how long you’ll be between homes. After 10+ moves, I’ve seen all sorts of approaches to moving with plants, so below is my practical guide to if, when, and how to do it successfully!

Megan holding a large green plant in a white pot

What Kind of Move Are You Doing?

If you are moving to a new home and want to bring your plants with you, you must first consider what kind of move you’re doing. A short, local move versus a cross-country or overseas move will very much determine what your options are for transporting your leafy green friends.

  • “Door to Door” or Local Moves – If you are moving within the same town or state and/or the distance between your two homes doesn’t require any lengthy stops, then moving your plants is both practical and easy to do.
  • Short-Distance Moves – If you are moving to a new home that can be reached within a single driving day (under 10 hours), it is feasible to safely move your plants. However, these longer drives often require stops; and depending on season/climate, this can be tricky with plants.
  • Long-Distance Moves – If you are moving to a new home that requires flying or more than 1 day of driving, moving your plants will require significantly more work and planning. In these instances, you either need to be prepared to unload/load your plants from the car at each stop or ship them, which can be complicated, expensive, and risky.
  • Overseas Moves – Don’t even bother. Not only do various countries have strict agriculture laws, but the longer transit times are sure to spell disaster for your plants.

Agriculture laws don’t just apply to foreign countries. Some US states (e.g., California, Montana) also have strict regulations about what can and cannot be brought into the state. Be sure to check all laws and requirements with the U.S. Department of Agriculture before transporting ANY plants across state lines.

Large green plants on top of a white dining hutch

Option 1 – Don’t Move Them

Alright, it’s “get real” time.

I love having plants in our home. I really do. I love taking care of them (mostly) and watching them grow. I love how much they, quite literally, bring life and vibrancy to any room. And I most certainly feel “accomplished” when a particular plant is thriving under my care.

But I am no “Plant Lady.” I do not have lots and lots of plants, nor do I have any emotional attachment to the plants in our homes.

So this may not come as a huge surprise when I say that the plant-moving approach I generally recommend is to just not move them. Unless you are doing a very close, very easy, door-to-door move, the hassle of packing, securing, and caring for plants during a prolonged move is just not worth the effort.

Hands watering a small plant with a blue watering can

How I Get Rid of Our Plants Before Moving

I love buying a bunch of new plants when we first move into a new home and growing them while I’m there. And then, when it’s time to go, I gift them to friends and neighbors to “remember me by.” Friends are always eager to take them (who doesn’t want a free, thriving, happy plant?!?) and I am relieved of the burden of caring for them during our (usually long) transition.

This approach may seem callous and frivolous to those who really love their plants. But once you attempt to move house plants a long distance and fully understand the effort required (only for them to eventually wilt and die), you will likely realize that moving plants is often more stress than it’s worth.

Megan placing a snake plant in a white pot on a mantel

Option 2 – Drive Them to Your New Location

The only scenario that I, personally, feel that it’s worth moving your plants is if your new home is a relatively short drive away (under 1 day). If you can (securely) load your plants into your car/truck, drive them to your new home, and unload them into your new digs within a few hours, then yes…go ahead and move those plants!

Here are some suggestions to help!

  • Place plants (in their pots) into open plastic tubs or sturdy cardboard boxes. Arrange pots in a way that keeps them all snug (to prevent shifting and tipping). Use heavy wads of packing paper or bubble wrap between pots to keep them upright and safe from cracks.
  • Secure (open) plant boxes in the backseat of a car, open truck bed, or even inside a moving truck (again, only if doing a short-distance drive). Make sure these boxes cannot easily tip, and do not stack anything on top of them.
  • Place newspaper, packing paper, or wet paper towels (if appropriate) on top of soil to prevent spilling and messes.
  • Know your plants and protect accordingly. If your plants have fragile leaves, are prone to breakage, require humidity, etc, take extra steps to add plastic covers, stakes, or moisture picks as needed.
  • Do NOT leave plants in non-ventilated cars/trucks, especially in hot climates or extreme cold. Even a 1-hour stop for lunch can kill plants in a hot car. (Yep, been there, done that!)
  • If you are adamant about driving your plants longer than a single day and must stay in a hotel overnight, I highly recommend bringing them into the hotel with you (unless the outside climate is conducive to your plants).
Four plants in white pots on a red brick fireplace mantel

Option 3 – Ship Them

Personally, I would never (ever) spend time or money packing my plants to be shipped. But I acknowledge that there are people who really don’t want to leave their plants behind but driving them isn’t an option. In this scenario, you can ship (some) plants safely, but here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Do your research. Again, different states have different plant allowances (often related to pests). Before you even bother shipping your plants, ensure it is allowed in your new location.
  • Estimate the cost. Shipping is not cheap, and plants can be both large and heavy. Before you cart your plant off to the post office, get a solid quote for what it will cost.
  • Have someone to send the plant(s) to. Plants inside boxes can’t sit on the front step of an empty house for a week. Be sure you have someone to receive (and then unbox) the plants for you.
  • Can your plant handle it? Not all plants are the same. Make sure the plant you want to ship is sturdy enough to handle the journey.
  • Not sure how to pack a plant to be shipped? Me either, but this is a great guide to help!
Two small green plants in white pots sitting on top of a piano

Do You Have a Move Coming Up?

Check out my comprehensive collection of moving resources!

Moving box shown with sorting signs and trash bags
Printable moving Binder open on a white table to the "Current Home" section sown with a roll of pink tape
Moving boxes with colored labels
Room layout planning printables
Painting supplies
Hands taping up a large moving box with tape

If you’re gearing up for a big move and you just don’t know what to do with your plants, I hope this real-life guide proves helpful to you!

While it is indeed possible to move your plants to your new home (in some scenarios), our 10+ moves have shown us that the most practical and easiest approach is to not bother moving them at all.

We love to start with fresh plants in each new house and see how big and beautiful we can get them before it’s time to gift them away and start anew! Happy moving!

Large green plants on top of a white dining hutch
See You Soon!
Megan