Moving can be a stressful time, and for plant parents, the thought of relocating their green companions can add to the anxiety. Just like moving furniture and other belongings, transporting plants requires careful planning and execution to ensure they arrive at your new home safe and sound. But don’t worry! Moving plants is absolutely achievable with the right approach. Plants are more resilient than you might think, and with a few key considerations, you can successfully transport your beloved plant children.
Ensuring Base Stability and Protecting Sensitive Foliage
The golden rule for moving plants is to keep the pot stable and upright as much as possible while preventing any damage to the leaves and stems. While a soft bag might work in an emergency, for a more organized and secure transport, especially when moving multiple plants, consider using a sturdy tote.
Sturdy tote bag ideal for transporting multiple potted plants, ensuring they remain upright and secure during relocation.
These totes, often robust enough for laundry, are perfect for plant transport due to their flat, rigid base. This base provides excellent support, keeping pots upright and preventing spills. You can further enhance stability by using packing paper or bubble wrap to fill any gaps between pots, ensuring a snug and secure fit. The firm upper structure of the tote is also beneficial, preventing the bag from collapsing and crushing delicate foliage. Their compact design also makes them ideal for fitting into cars of all sizes.
Moving Trailing Plants with Ease
Trailing plants, with their cascading vines, present a unique challenge during transport. For plants like Philodendron lemon-lime, where the foliage extends slightly below the pot, a wide bag can be a lifesaver. The flexibility of the bag allows you to gently contain the trailing foliage without causing damage.
Trailing Philodendron Lemon-lime plant being carefully placed into a wide, flexible bag for safe and easy transportation, protecting its delicate vines.
To pack trailing plants, have someone hold a wide-mouthed bag open while you carefully lower the pot inside. Once the pot is securely placed, you can gently gather and tuck the trailing foliage into the remaining space within the bag. Bags from retailers or even large reusable shopping bags can work effectively for this purpose.
Transporting Tall Plants in Limited Spaces
Tall plants can pose a problem, especially when space is limited, such as in smaller cars. While keeping plants upright is generally recommended to prevent soil spillage, sometimes tilting a tall plant is necessary for it to fit. To manage this, use a garbage bag to create a soil-spill barrier.
Tall Dracaena plant securely wrapped in a plastic garbage bag to prevent soil spillage during transportation and protect car interiors.
Wrap a garbage bag tightly around the entire pot, securing it above the soil line, ideally around the plant’s trunk. This creates a containment system for any soil that might spill when the plant is tilted. Additionally, to protect delicate foliage from pressure when tilting, use bubble wrap or a towel as cushioning. Wedge this padding between the car seat and the plant trunk to minimize direct pressure on the leaves, especially for sensitive plants like fiddle leaf figs or ficus benjaminas.
Considering Outdoor Conditions During Your Plant Move
When moving plants, especially those accustomed to indoor environments, it’s crucial to be mindful of outdoor conditions during the relocation process. Exposure to direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and winter chills can negatively impact your houseplants.
- Direct Sunlight Exposure: Indoor plants are adapted to filtered light. Outdoor direct sun is significantly more intense. Sunlight through a window typically measures 4000-6000 foot-candles, while outdoor direct sun can exceed 10,000 foot-candles. Avoid placing indoor plants in direct outdoor sun for extended periods. If outdoor exposure is unavoidable, provide shade, especially for durations longer than an hour.
- Hot Cars: Just like pets and children, plants can suffer heat damage if left in a hot car. Overheating in summer can cause permanent damage to your plants. Never leave plants in a closed, hot car.
- Winter Temperatures: Tropical houseplants are sensitive to cold. Near-freezing temperatures can harm them, and even brief exposure to extreme cold can cause blackening of leaf tips. When moving plants in winter, wrap them in cloth for insulation during their transitions to and from the car, minimizing exposure to cold air.
Plants being moved between parking garages using sturdy boxes and a hand truck, protecting them from winter weather conditions and facilitating efficient relocation.
By taking these precautions, you can ensure your plants are shielded from harsh outdoor elements during your move.
Moving plants doesn’t have to be daunting. By understanding the basics of base stability, foliage protection, and being aware of environmental factors, you can confidently transport your plants, ensuring they thrive in their new home. With these tips, you can successfully relocate your green family members and continue to enjoy their beauty and benefits in your new space.
