The Storage Solution To Protect Your Plants When Moving

There's no short supply of advice for packing to move from one home to another, as well as tips for efficiently unpacking after a move. But if you're a plant lover, moving brings new challenges. After all, you can't wrap up a plant and stick it in a box like furniture and household items. Plants are living things that rely on you to provide them with a stable environment and protection from physical damage. If you don't safely pack them, you could end up with broken stems, spilled soil, or worse, plants that don't make it. That's why having the perfect box that's slightly taller than the leaves and one that doesn't give them much wiggle room will keep them thriving during transit.

Although you've likely had months to plan your move, plants become stressed when their environment is abruptly changed. No matter where the moving van takes you, plants need a secure and well-ventilated way to keep them alive during your relocation. Some plants are more sensitive to bouncing around a car or moving van, which can significantly stunt their growth. So, preventing pots from tipping over or breaking is just as important as keeping plenty of light and air circulating through their container.

Safely transporting your plants isn't just about packing them correctly. It's also about prepping them for the journey on moving day. When you don't want to leave your plants behind, these are sensible tips to protect them during your move.

When you're moving, it's important to protect your household plants from tipping over or being shuffled. You can do this the day before or the day of your move, but don't put them in your vehicle until you're ready to go. Small- to medium-sized plants can fit snugly inside moving boxes. Just make sure they're taller than the leaves. If you put a plant into a box that's way too big, you'll likely end up with broken leaves and snapped branches. Some moving companies have dish packs that are nifty for transporting smaller plants. Once the plant is in the box, remove any extra space by adding paper or bubble wrap around the pot for cushioning. Leave the box top open to give your plant proper air circulation.

For moving tall indoor or outdoor plants housed in a planter, it's challenging to find a box that's the right size. In this case, wrap a garbage bag tightly around the base and tie it closed to keep the soil from spilling. Then, take an old bed sheet or blanket and wrap it loosely around the leaves a couple of times. If you're worried about transporting pests along with your outdoor plants, put a flea collar around the base of the plant to get rid of them. When you're hiring movers, ask if they can put some of the larger plants in the truck last so they're the first to be unloaded.