Do you have a nice collection of houseplants? With all the time and effort you put into these plants, you want to avoid seeing them damaged during your residential move. Take a look at a few tips to protect your houseplants during a relocation.
Do a bit of plant maintenance before moving day.
As the weeks before moving day settle in, give your houseplants a little more love and attention than usual. The healthier your plants are during the transition and stress, the more likely they will come through healthily. Better Homes & Gardens offers a good collection of tips to keep in mind that can help, such as:
- Water your plants routinely according to the plant’s specific needs
- Consider fertilizing your houseplants
- Repot any overgrown plants
- Remove any dust from plant leaves
- Do some light pruning and cut away any dormant or dead leaves
- Make sure your plants do not contain any insects
- Get rid of diseased plants that could put other plants at risk during the move
Check with the moving company about restricted items.
All moving companies will have restricted items. In other words, professionals will not transport certain things in a moving truck. In many cases, live plants may fall on the restricted items list. Before packing your plant in a box in preparation for the move, reach out to your chosen movers and make sure they will move live plants.
Pick sturdy cardboard boxes and prepare them for plants.
Cardboard boxes are typically best for moving plants. The boxes are not airtight, which allows some airflow through the container. However, the typical cardboard box may also need some tweaking before it is ready to house plants safely. For example, it can be a good idea to cut a series of holes in the box to encourage more airflow within the box. For exceptionally tall plants, you may also need to amend the box so the top won’t be damaged when you close the lid.
Pack your plants carefully.
Once you have prepared your boxes, place your plants in the box carefully. Use sturdy filler material around the base of the plant’s pot so it does not shift and move during transport. Tightly rolled newspaper or even additional pieces of cardboard can keep the pot stable. For bushier or leafy plants, it can be helpful to wrap the pot in a large portion of paper in a conical shape to keep the foliage bound together a bit. Additionally, bubble wrap works well for protecting cacti and prickly plants.
Nurture plants well after the move.
Once you have transitioned your plants to your new home, they may also need a little extra nourishment. The transition into a new environment can be stressful for some plants. Therefore, do what you can to ensure the plant gets all it needs in terms of fertilizer, sunlight, and water in the first few weeks after the move.
Discuss Your Upcoming Move with the Pros
From the houseplants to the outdoor furniture, you can have many things to contend with during your move. However, transporting your belongings doesn’t have to rest on your shoulders. Reach out to our team for a free quote.