Houseplants. They've added beauty to your home, helped reduce indoor air pollution, and earned a place of honor on your table, shelf, or counter. And frankly, you've grown more than a little attached to your flora collection.
But now that you're moving, you have some serious considerations to make regarding your plants. Relocating your plants to a new home is highly stressful for them. You may want to consider giving your plants to friends, hospitals, and nursing homes, or even selling them at a garage sale.
If you decide you can't leave them behind, you'll want to keep these guidelines in mind.
Some houseplants are susceptible to shock when moving. The longer distance you travel or the time-in-transit doesn't increase the level of shock – it just increases the plant's recovery time.
According to federal moving regulations, moving companies can only move plants if the distance is less than 150 miles and/or delivery is completed within 24 hours of loading and no storage, en route servicing, or watering is required. However, your driver will decide whether he/she will move your plants, and moving companies will not assume liability for plants.
With these restrictions in mind, you may find it easier – and in the best interest of your plants – to move them yourself. Here are some important tips:
- Plants should be moist when prepared for the move. Many can survive up to 10 days without watering and suffer little permanent harm.
- If you plan to relocate houseplants across state lines, check federal and state regulations. Plant quarantines may be in effect in certain areas to restrict movement of plants that may harbor destructive pests.
- When moving houseplants, the most critical factor to consider is temperature. Temperatures below 35° F or above 95-100° F that last for over an hour can be fatal. Plants in wrapped cartons will withstand a wider temperature variation.
- If all other conditions are favorable, houseplants can tolerate darkness for up to a week. But plants left in darkness too long "etiolate," start to put out abnormal growth that is more susceptible to disease. When first exposing plants to light after a lengthy period in darkness, limit sun exposure for the first few days.