Move Your Houseplants Like a Pro With These Tips

by Lori Madden 11/06/2022

Houseplants add another level of complexity and stress to a move. After all, you want to make sure they survive the trip and thrive in your new space. Even hardy plants get damaged easily when moving from one place to another. However, there are some ways you can pack and prepare your plants for moving to make sure they arrive safely.

Here are 3 expert tips for moving your houseplants:

Group by Care Needs

Grouping and packing your plants together based on their needs will help them adjust to your new space more easily. If you’re loading up a box with multiple plants, consider the convenience of placing that box somewhere in your new home where they get exactly the amount of light they need. You can even water them together more easily if they’re together.

Combine plants based on the basics like watering frequency, light requirements and humidity. Succulents and cacti can go together in the same box, while you may want to keep your tropical foliage plants together in another.

Protect Delicate Foliage

Many houseplants have delicate foliage that can get damaged during your move. To prevent this, you can use your packing materials to protect them. One common approach that growers use to transport plants is to create a tube or cone-shape with packing paper. Wrap the paper tightly around the base of the plant and let the paper stick up to gather the foliage into a contained space. While it’s not perfect for every plant, it will help you keep trailing vines or long stems from being broken in transit.

Leave Boxes Open

Your plants will travel better with good airflow and a little sunlight. Therefore, don’t bother closing the tops of your plant boxes. Instead, leave them open so light and air can get to them while in your car or other mode of transportation. You can adjust the temperature accordingly and make sure they can get in a bit of photosynthesis on the drive. If it’s going to be an especially long and sunny drive, consider bringing a white sheet or sun cloth with you to drape over the tops of the boxes. This will still allow airflow but filter the sun’s rays to prevent damage.

While moving houseplants can be tricky, you can make it easier on yourself and the plants with the right strategies. Use these tips to help your plants have a successful move.

Moving With Houseplants

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Plant Tips

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About the Author

Lori Madden

As a Florida native growing up in Sarasota, I have seen my hometown grow from a sleepy coastal town to a highly sought-after destination along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. After working in Chicago for 5 years, I returned to Sarasota and saw it through a new lens and really began to appreciate what makes Sarasota so desirable, including temperatures that allow for year round outdoor activities including tennis (a personal favorite), golf, boating, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, or just relaxing and/or shelling on our pristine sandy shores, including Dr. Beach’s #1 beach in the United States for 2017, Siesta Key! Sarasota’s cultural amenities are many and diverse, appealing to a wide range of arts lovers. Downtown Sarasota has become a destination in itself, drawing many new developments for those who want to be within walking distance of Main Street's offerings and the picturesque bayfront and marina. Foodies will find an eclectic mix of locally owned and operated restaurants offering something for everyone, and there are now Farmers Markets every day of the week in various locations throughout Sarasota, but the Saturday morning Farmers Market in downtown Sarasota draws the biggest crowds. Since 1988, my passion has been selling real estate, representing both buyers and sellers. I have been recognized by my clients and customers for an uncompromising work ethic and dedication to helping them achieve their real estate goals. Relying on my experience as a real estate paralegal and being highly organized, I am able to help make the transition between contract and closing a smooth one for my clients. With an eye for interior and landscape design, I've been known to pitch in and help Sellers minimize and/or reorganize their belongings in order to stage their home to maximize its sale potential. I specialize in out of state buyers looking for their piece of paradise along the Gulf Coast and make it a priority to keep them up to date on our quickly changing local real estate market. I welcome the opportunity to share with you all Sarasota and her surrounding islands have to offer!