No one wants to let go of their plant babies when they move. It’s heartbreaking to have to gift plants you love to friends, family, and neighbors. Thankfully, you don’t have to give up your plants, even during a long-distance move. It just takes a little bit of planning and preparation to make sure they travel the miles safely.

Keeping Plants Secure During a Trip

One of the biggest concerns about traveling with potted plants is the worry that the pots will tip over and spill or that the plants will become damaged. Protecting your plants from tipping over starts with building a sturdy base for them.

Choose the Right Pots

Examine the pots that your plants are in well ahead of the trip. Ideally, the pots should have a wide base, so they are more stable in transit. 

You may also want to transfer your plants from heavy ceramic or clay pots into lightweight plastic pots. This will reduce the weight of your plants and also reduce the risk of a pot breaking in the middle of a move.

Packing Your Plants

When you are transporting multiple potted plants, it is easier to place them all in a single container to carry and keep in the car. A wooden crate with handles is a great option for carrying three or four potted plants at a time. Plus, the high walls of the crate help keep your plants from falling over.

If you are just transporting one or two plants, you can get away with securing them in a sturdy reusable vinyl bag. The handles on these bags make carrying your plants much less of a hassle too.

Tall plants will need to tip sideways for transport in a car. A garbage bag over the plant pot and wrapped tightly around the base of the plant will help keep dirt from getting everywhere.

Protecting Against Moisture Loss

Travel always dehydrates people, especially on a plane. The same applies to plants too! Before heading out, give your plants a good soaking to really hydrate the soil in the pot. During the trip, check on your plants periodically to ensure the soil is still moist. Water as needed.

It’s also a good idea to beware of extreme temperature changes. Plants can tolerate some heat during a drive but leaving them in a boiling hot car all day can kill them. The same applies for a freezing car in winter.

Consider Taking Cuttings of Your Plants

If you absolutely don’t have room for a potted plant in your vehicle, or you are traveling by plane or rail, consider taking along plant cuttings. These are small enough to fit in your tote bag. Just remember to check with the airlines about their rules for traveling with plants. 

You can also mail the cuttings to your new home in a well-insulated Styrofoam container in a cardboard box. You only need to make the right declarations with the postal service.

Some plants are easy to grow from cuttings, either from the roots or stems. These include:

  • Mint
  • Ivy
  • Coleus
  • Christmas Cactus 

You can even snag a few baby spider plants from your main spider plant to grow new plants at your next home.

Cuttings won’t be the same as the original plant, but they are a descendant and cuttings are a way to preserve the effort you’ve put into your plants.

Get Moving Help with Thomas Transfer

Moving is a big challenge, but with Thomas Transfer & Storage you’ll have less stress and save time. Our BBB-accredited and A+ rated Wichita based moving, and storage company has provided professional services to customers since 1945.

We’re happy to help you with:

If you are looking to streamline your long-distance move, reach out to Thomas Transfer about a free moving estimate today.