6 Steps to pack and protect your house plants for moving

When a move is approaching, it can be overwhelming to think about the logistics of getting all of your belongings to your new home. Part of these belongings, and often what brings our home to life, are our houseplants. But how do you make sure they survive the move?  It may not be as simple as just leaving them in their pots and stacking them with the rest of the stuff.

It's important to think about and plan how to move plants safely so they don't get damaged in the transportation. For this reason, we share with you our top tips on how to pack and protect plants as you prepare for the move, ensuring they are well cared for and arrive in their new environment in perfect condition.

Step 1: Prepare your plants in advance
Preparing plants a few weeks in advance is the smartest thing to do before moving them. This includes considering whether they should be moved to a container that is more suitable for transport. Also, dead plants should be removed and the rest cleaned up before moving day.

• Pruning of dead leaves and branches, which is recommended 2 or 3 weeks before the move, reduces stress on the plants and gives them time to adapt, minimizing the possible risks of the sudden change in the new environment.
  
• It's necessary to dust and check the plants for possible pests or weeds that need to be removed. Remember that transporting plants with diseases can affect the rest of your belongings and transfer the problem to the new home.
  
  

Step 2: Consider watering your plants according to the season.
Remember that transporting plants that are too wet or leaking can cause damage during the move.

• Water the plants a couple of days before transport. Consider that, if the soil is well hydrated, the roots will remain loose and this will reduce the blows or hits during the move.
  
• If you have the opportunity to choose the date of your move, keep in mind that the ideal time to move plants from one house to another is in spring or autumn, as temperatures are milder.
  
  • If you plan to move during the cold season: water your plants a few days before the established moving day so that they will have dry soil afterward.
  • If you plan to move during summer: water your plants the same day of the move and try to keep them well hydrated.
    
    

Step 3: Choose the way to store and protect your plants.
Knowing the best way to transport plants is really knowing how to protect them. Therefore, follow the recommendations below:

• Wrap your plants in newspaper in a cone shape to prevent leaves and soil from falling off. This is very helpful for fragile plants such as orchids.
• You can use a plastic bag with small holes in it to wrap the pots before the trip. These should be large enough to prevent from crushing any leaves or flowers.
  
• It is best to use cardboard boxes because of their versatility in types and sizes since they should be according to the size of the pots.
  
• If available, wooden or plastic boxes are another good option.
  
• If the plants are of medium or large size, it is advisable to transport them in their pots and place them side by side to reduce sudden movements during transportation.

👉 In Mexico there are several types and models of cardboard boxes, specifically designed to facilitate the packing and transportation of specific objects. Click here to learn more about them in our article! 

Step 4: Place your plants in boxes
Consider that moving pots with plants or flowers in sturdy cardboard boxes is much faster and safer than carrying them individually. Follow these recommendations:

• If the box is too large, remember to fill the spaces between the pots with bubble wrap or newspaper so they don't move around inside the box.
  
• Consider leaving enough space for the plants to breathe.
  
• It is beneficial to cut holes in the boxes to allow air to circulate.
• Mark or label each box correctly (Example: 'PLANTS - Move with care').
  
  

Step 5: Keep your plants safe and comfortable during the move.
On moving day, it is important to keep the following tips in mind:

• It may not be necessary to wrap and cover all potted plants; however, be sure to arrange the leaves so they are not damaged and mist them so they are slightly damp.
• Plants should be the last thing to be moved to the new home. It is advisable to place them until the end of the moving transport.
• By labeling all the boxes with the type of plants they contain, the most fragile ones can be identified and placed at the end, so that they will be the first to reach and take inside the new home.
• It is recommended to use enclosed transport to have some control over the temperature and to avoid wind from damaging the plants.
  
  

Step 6: Prioritize unpacking your plants first.
It's understandable that after a move there are many urgent things to take care of. However, you should prioritize unpacking and watering your plants as soon as possible, otherwise, they may get sick or die.

• First, remove potted plants from their boxes as they will need room to breathe.
• Try not to move your plants around to lessen the impact and provide stability.
• At first, keep the plants in shady areas and once they have acclimatized, move them to lighter spaces or similar to where they were in the old house so they can adapt to the new environment.
  
  

NOTE: In case of a move to another country

Especially if you are moving abroad, it may not be possible to move your plants or it can just make the process more difficult. Therefore, if you want to take specific plants with you, make sure that the species in question are allowed in the new country or area before you start planning how to pack them.