Your Handy Guide to Moving With Plants

Moving requires careful consideration of different aspects to prevent any mishaps. Therefore, it’s essential to remember the safe packing of wall art, kitchenware, and other fragile items. Additionally, it’s challenging to move plants, which requires extra attention.

In general, moving with plants is pretty simple and straightforward when it comes to short-distance or intrastate relocation. However, transporting plants interstate is a different matter altogether. Either way, transporting plants requires planning and preparation, just like the other items your moving

Here, we’ll share some useful tips to make the moving process with plants a success – whether you’re relocating interstate or within the same state.

Should You Move With Plants?

Australia is very strict when it comes to moving plants, fresh produce, animals and animal products, soil, recreational, gardening, and agricultural equipment. The stringent quarantine laws of the country are part of the government’s strategy to protect its precious flora and fauna and keep pests and diseases under control, and this is why these guidelines also apply to interstate moves. Before you consider moving plants, ensure you’ve done plenty of research ahead of time.

Since each state has its own set of quarantine entry conditions, it’s best to contact the relevant state authority prior to your move.

For example, in Western Australia, you need to complete the Unaccompanied Personal Effects Declaration Quarantine WA form. Meanwhile, in Queensland, you may be required to present a biosecurity certificate when moving any of the aforementioned restricted items, whether you are moving the items within or out of Queensland and into another state or territory.

Questions to Help You Decide on Whether You Should Take Your Plants

Deciding on whether you should take or leave your beloved plants behind isn’t easy, especially if you’re a green thumb who loves gardening or plants in general.

To help with your decision making, answer these questions carefully and truthfully:

How big is the plant?

Larger plants could mean more work and costs due to the weight of the root ball than smaller potted plants. For large plants, it’s likely more cost-effective to leave them behind.

Is it a special variety or rare plant?

If the same plant is available with the local nursery in your new neighborhood, you might want to get another plant instead of transporting it in a moving truck to your new home.

Will it thrive in the new climate?

Moving outdoor plants out of the area whose climate they’ve gotten accustomed to can be disadvantageous. Consider the amount of rainfall and summer heat in your new environment.

Can you take proper care of the plant in the new location?

Reflect on what your lifestyle will be like in your new place. Some plants need lots of care, so these may get too difficult to manage if you’re always busy.

Do you have space for your plants in your new garden?

Consider how much space you’ll have at your new home. All the plants you’re taking with you should have a ready place in your new garden.

Things To Consider When Moving House With Plants

• Time of Year: Indoor plants are good at settling into their new homes, especially between October and March. So, if you’re moving during these months, your favourite plants should adjust just fine.
• Temperature and Watering: Before watering them, check out the weather. If it’s scorching outside, give them a good drink, but try not to leave them in direct sunlight for too long. Too much heat can stress them out.
• Climate: Australia has all kinds of climates, from tropical up north to dry and temperate down south. So, depending on where you are, different plants might thrive better. Monitor those rainfall and temperature changes to give your green buddies the best shot at settling in happily.

Preparing Plants for a Move

To ensure your plants are kept healthy enough for a move and are given the best chance to survive – especially when relocating long-distance or interstate – preparing them well in advance is absolutely necessary.

Use the following steps and tips as a guide in preparing your plants for a move:

• Treat your plants for pests and disease months or weeks before the move.
• Dig a trench around the plant root system using the extent of the plant leaves as a guide. Do this a few months prior to the move.
• Use sand or compost to fill the trench.
• Water the root area between the trunk or stem and the trench.
• Apply seaweed tonic every 2-3 weeks to keep the plant healthy.
• At least two days before moving day, give your plants a good soaking with water to ensure proper drainage.
• As much as possible, pack smaller or hanging pot plants in boxes prior to the move to keep them well protected and make moving them so much easier. If you’re working with interstate removalists like Relocations WA, the crew can take care of handling the larger plants.

On Moving Day

During the move, consider the following tips that you can take advantage of on moving day.

• On moving day, dig around and beneath the plant. If it’s too hot on the day of your move, place wet, scrunched-up newspaper around the leaves.
• Place the root ball on a large plastic sheet, tarp or some hessian and secure the root system.
• If space is a problem, trim or prune the excess foliage and dead leaves – but be careful to not over-prune, as that can weaken the plant significantly.
• If you want to place the plant in a pot, shake off the soil or wash the root system clean and trim broken or damaged roots.
• Water the plant well and spray on some antitranspirant on the plant to prevent water loss.
• If possible, keep the plant in a shaded cool area to minimise stress on the plant during your move.

How to Move Plants Safely During the Move

Why risk your plants getting bumped around and hurt in the moving van? Toss them in the back seat of your car instead. That way, they’ll be in a cosy environment, and you can ensure they’re securely positioned to avoid mishaps during the journey. Plus, it’ll be a breeze to keep an eye on them whenever you take a break.

And if you’re crashing somewhere overnight, don’t forget to bring your leafy friends indoors. Leaving them in the car overnight could expose them to chilly temps or scorching heat, so give them a cosy spot indoors to keep them happy and healthy.

Once You Arrive at Your New Home:

You’ve made it to your new house! Here’s what to do with your plants after arriving.

• The moment your plants arrive at your new home, remove the plastic cover immediately. Take out all plants from their boxes. Water the plants and give them some plant food.
• For temporarily transplanted plants, you may repot plants back to their original pots about a week after your move to the new place.
• Set down the plants in a shaded area that’s also protected from the wind and extreme temperatures (heat or cold) in the new location. You may also use a temporary cover, screen or shade cloth to protect the plants.
• Continue applying some seaweed tonic every few weeks.
• Monitor your plants and give them more water when it’s hot, dry or windy.
• If you have rare or valuable plants, it may be better to ask for help from a landscape contractor, as they’re the best people for the job. If some plants seem to be having a hard time adjusting to their new environment, get help from your local nursery.

Special Considerations when Moving Plants That are Fragile

Caring for delicate plants while relocating demands added vigilance and attention. Handle them gently, making sure they are secure but not overly tight to prevent damage from movement.

Safeguard fragile leaves or stems by wrapping them in soft fabric or tissue for protection. Employ padding around pots to prevent shifting and potential harm during transit. Maintain a consistent climate to shield sensitive plants from extreme temperatures.

Opt for shorter journeys to reduce stress and contemplate transporting them in your vehicle for enhanced control over their surroundings. Following the move, grant delicate plants additional time to acclimate before adjusting their care routine, providing extra care during this period.

Monitor them closely for signs of stress post-move and adapt their care as needed based on their response to the new conditions. Remember, although delicate plants may necessitate more patience and care, they will flourish in their new environment with proper handling.

Following State Guidelines for Moving Plants Across State Lines

Even though your lovely plants might be harmless where you are now, they could cause trouble in a new place when transporting plants interstate.

Interstate plant transport is not a good idea when you try to sneak them across state or territory lines if they’re potentially prohibited.

Instead, learn the rules in your new area and determine which plants are okay to bring along. And while you’re at it, ensure you’re up to speed on safely transporting your green buddies without introducing any unwanted pests or contaminants to their new home.

You might have to schedule an inspection and complete paperwork declaring which plants are allowed. And when you’re packing them up, be extra careful. Some places might require you to move them into a new, sealed container with a specific type of potting mix.

Since the rules can vary quite a bit depending on where you’re moving, it’s super important to do your homework and ensure you understand what’s required. You don’t want your gardening efforts to get confiscated at the border.

To make things a bit easier for you, here are some key quarantine regulatory bodies in Australia that can give you a hand with any questions you have about moving plants:

• Northern Territory’s Plant Biosecurity Regulations
• NSW Plant Biosecurity Guidelines
• Queensland’s Plant Moving and Plant Product Guidelines
• South Australia’s Plant Biosecurity Measures
• Tasmania’s Plant Biosecurity Protocols
• Victoria’s Plant Moving and Plant Product Policies
• Western Australia’s Quarantine Import Restrictions

Move With Relocations WA

A smooth, stress-free move with your plants is possible with proper planning. preparation and a moving checklist. This way, you won’t miss a thing. For help with transporting plants interstate, please contact Relocations WA.