How to Move House Plants Internationally
Moving your plants abroad to another country will take a lot of preparing and care on your part. However, before you begin preparations, you’ll want to check if you’re even allowed to transport the plant outside of your home state. The US Department of Agriculture restricts whether you can transport plants to and from certain states, such as California.
If you’re allowed to relocate your house plants out of your home state, then you’ll want to check if you can move the house plants to your new home country. The best way to find this out is to contact the country’s consulate or embassy within the United States. The consulate or embassy will be able to provide you with all the information you need regarding what you’re allowed to bring into the country. An international moving company can also help you determine if you can take houseplants into your new home country.
Once you’ve confirmed that you can legally transport your houseplants out of the country, you’ll want to decide if it’s actually worth the cost and effort on your part. Many plants won’t survive a long distance move because packaging plants prevents them from accessing sunlight and water. Furthermore, you’ll need to figure out if the plants can survive in your new climate and will receive enough sunlight. Any houseplants that you don’t keep can be donated to family, friends, or a plant nursery.
If you definitely will be moving your plants, wait until moving day to package them. You’ll first want to water the plants adequately, and you can even soak them in water if it won’t damage the plant. Be careful not to overdo it, though, because if the plants travel through cold temperatures, they may freeze. Also, check for any insects or other pests before packaging them so that the plants don’t get quarantined at customs. When it’s ready to be packed, repot the plants in plastic containers to lessen the weight and do so in sterilized soil. Then, tie a plastic bag around the pot to prevent the soil from spilling out. Place the plant in a sturdy box and fill the space with bubble wrap. Newspapers and packing paper are also a good idea if you’re worried about damaging the plant. After the plant is secured in the box, you’ll want to poke holes in the box to allow airflow. Lastly, clearly label that the box contains house plants and that it’s fragile.
For expert help with you international move, contact Atlantic Relocation Systems today. We’ve been successfully helping individuals and families with their international moves since 1966, and we’ll make sure that your relocation goes as smoothly as possible.
