Moving house with plants is a breeze, but if you plan to move interstate in Australia, things can get complicated. There are several steps to take when relocating your ferns or other delicate greenery that need special care in order not to damage them during transit. Moving them is like learning how to pack glasses when moving all over again. They require special care.
Moving is hard on plants. But you can make their lives much easier by carefully planning when moving plants from where they are now to where you are moving.
This guide will discuss how to move a potted plant safely and remain healthy for the trip. Whether you hire a local Perth removalist or decide on DIY moving, special care needs to be taken when moving with plants.
So without further ado, here’s the most comprehensive guide on transporting plants safely.
Things To Consider When Moving House With Plants
Which Season You’re Moving
House plants can adapt much more quickly to their new surroundings. Usually, it is between October and March, so if you’re moving house during these months, there’s hope for your favourite fern or cacti.
Temperature and Watering
Knowing what the weather will be like before you water your plant is essential. If it is hot, ensure they’re well-watered and avoid exposing them to a spot with direct sunlight for more than an hour or two so that any excess doesn’t cause damage.
However, cold temperatures require much lower watering rates which can prevent leaks if appropriately done when moving day arrives.
Climate
The Australian continent has an extensive range of climate zones. From the tropics in the north to arid interior and temperate regions southwards across Australia, ample rainfall with temperature variability can dictate what plants thrive best for specific areas or even individual homes, depending on their needs.
The Best Ways To Move House Plants
House plants are a great way to add life and colour to your home. But moving them from one location across town can be stressful. Luckily, with some clever tricks up our sleeves (or planters), we know the best way to move house plants. Finding the best advice and doing research on moving and transporting plants should always form part of your moving house checklist.
Repotting Your Greens To Shatter Proof Plastic Pots
It’s crucial to repot potted plants into shatter-proof plastic pots. It is because the soil and the plant are very heavy in ceramic or clay pots, which makes them prone not only to breakage but also to shift during transportation – something you want to avoid at all costs.
Reduce The Overall Size Of Your Plant
Pruning your plants will help them grow healthier and more efficiently. However, for larger plants, it may require some pruning to reduce their size so that you can easily maintain them in both new homes or when growing outdoors—make sure not to remove any branches unless recommended by an expert.
Check Your Plants For Insects
Before moving your plants into a new garden, check for insects and parasites. You don’t want nasties infecting the new beautiful landscape in which these flowers will grow.
Make Sure To Water Your Plants
Make sure to water your plants before moving. If you do not want them to dry, give them enough liquid for two days after arriving in their new home. But ensure it doesn’t overwater because this can cause damage or may kill your plant.
Wrap Huge Plants To Avoid Damage
Larger plants may require some additional protection to prevent their branches from breaking. You can give them security in a few ways, but an appropriately sized bed sheet will provide sufficient coverage for your huge-sized plants.
Carefully Place Your Plants In Moving Boxes
Sometimes they (plants) just get stuffed in a weak box with other things piled on top. So, don’t expect them to be in good shape when you arrive at your destination.
When moving, pack your boxes with sturdy lids and only add plants. The cardboard mustn’t be moisture-soaked because this will cause them to break down in transit or, worse yet – die.
To keep your plants from getting squished, pack them into their pot as best you can and fill in any gaps with packing material. Smaller pots should go inside a sturdy box like those made out of wood or metal.
More giant planters may require two boxes – one for the soil and another just big enough to hold it without pressing too hard on topsoil belonging, specifically to each plant’s root bed.
Keep the boxes open, so sunlight and fresh air can reach your plants. But, if you’re moving a short distance, we might only need to cover up some of those fragile roots with lids.
➜ You might also be interested in Where to Get Moving Boxes
1. Secure Your Plants’ Base
Whether you’re transporting your plant in a car or truck, it’s essential to take precautions and ensure that the pot will stay put. Use packing material around its base, so there is no risk of movement during transportation- after all, accidents can happen.
2. Label Boxes
Labelling your plants is essential so you can easily monitor their care routine. You should also add some additional notes about the last time you watered them, so they will be accessible when maintaining this plant’s needs once you are settled in your new home.
3. Monitor Your Greeneries In Transit
Transporting your plants on a multi-day trip will be easier if they’re inside the vehicle. However, you may need to take them out and let them get some light for some days but remember about water. If it’s hot outside (or cold), crack open one of those windows for ventilation.
Moving Plant Across The Country
Don’t worry. You can move plants without killing them and violating restrictions. Here are some tips for safely moving plants across the country.
Follow All Government Regulations For Interstate Movement
When shipping plants, be sure to follow all state and local regulations. You could get into trouble for using invasive or harmful species that are not allowed in your new home. Plus, it’s best to know what rules apply before moving to a new state.
When planning which plants to bring with you for your new environment, it’s essential that the state approves them.
In some cases, authorities require an inspection before these items can enter quarantine territory – find out more about what is allowed in each area through research.
You need to know the laws in your state regarding plant movement. For example, some states require moving plants using a specified pitting system.
Others may prescribe fungicides or similar chemicals to protect against pests during transportation. But, it varies from one jurisdiction, so do plenty of research weeks before the move.
Arrange Your Plants Securely For Transportation
It’s essential to pack your plants well before moving plants interstate, so they arrive in good health. For example, you should wrap the pot in plastic bags and tie it at the base so that all soil can stay inside while leaves are left loose or put some craft papers around themselves for protection if desired- this will also help with ventilation.
To keep your plants safe while travelling, basket them up in tubes. Ensure the leaves are outside, not inside, where they can get jostled around or crushed.
To keep your plants safe, fill the bottom half of each box with packing materials and place potted houseplants into it. You can also separate large-growing vegetables or flowers from medium size ones by placing them in individual packages.
Remove the top flaps to give you an extra protective barrier. Ensure they have support at their bottom when moving into a truck or trailer – this will help protect them during transit.
Biosecurity Certificate
The Australian plant quarantine authority will require a biosecurity certificate before transporting plants interstate. In addition, some states, like Queensland, implement additional restrictions on the type of soil used to prevent any pests or diseases from accessing new areas.
You can get a government inspector to check the plants you want to move to and certify that they meet specified quarantine conditions. If this is not possible, there’s an option available for companies or businesses specialising in moving interstate plant material across state lines.
The Interstate Certification Assurance Scheme is a program that allows businesses to move pot plants interstate or across territories where they meet specified quarantine conditions.
The Smooth Movers Will Move Your Plants With Care
When you move plants across state lines, you must be aware of all the regulations, from preparing for transport and storage before moving out-of-state with your new plant acquisition and understanding what needs come into play.
And if you’re looking for professional plant movers, look no further than the professionals at Smooth Movers. We will take care not only of your precious greens but also pack them up so they can be delivered safely. We will assist you so that all the things you need to move out are in one piece.
Hiring our smooth plant removalists will ensure that your precious plants are in good hands. With years of experience, our reliable professionals can handle any job for you!
We also offer various plant relocation services, so contact us today and get a quote on moving your plants and other personal belongings — we’re the best-reviewed removalists in Perth.
