If you are moving house, any of your plants that were in the ground during your open inspection days will likely need to stay there.
Unless you come to an agreement beforehand, you can’t dig up your favourite rose bushes and take them with you to your new home.
Potted plants outside are yours to take to you new home though, as well as any potted indoor house plants.
However, there are a few things you need to know – and do – when moving plants.
Moving plants locally
Moving potted plants is not as easy as it sounds and there are a few steps you should take to ensure your plants safely make it to your new house.
Here are some important tips for moving plants.
1. Prune or trim your plants before moving them
If your plants are trimmed back even a little bit, they will take up less space and be easier to move.
This includes removing any dead leaves or branches.
Don’t worry – they will grow back.
2. Repot plants in plastic pots where necessary
Ceramic or clay pots are not only heavy but can also be easily broken or damaged during transport.
Any plants that are in these types of pots should be repotted in shatter-proof plastic pots for transport instead.
3. Do an insect check
You don’t want to take any pesky insects or parasites to your new garden if you can avoid it.
Do a quick check of your plants for insects and parasites before moving them.
4. Water the plants
Make sure you give your plants their normal dose of water before moving them.
Don’t overdo the watering, as this could create unwanted leakages and mess.
5. Pack the plants in moving boxes
After you have completed the above steps, you can pack your plants in moving boxes ready for your move.
Make sure you don’t over-pack the boxes and reinforce the bottoms of them with good-quality tape so your plants don’t fall out of the bottom when the box is picked up.
6. Pack your plants last
If they are last in, they will be first out of the vehicle at your new house.
Be sure to give your plants the attention they need as soon as possible after a move, including a water and some sunlight where necessary.
Can I move plants interstate?
Moving plants interstate is a little trickier and may not be possible in a lot of cases.
There are quarantine rules for different states, which prohibit plant items being moved across state borders.
Always check the specific rules for the state which you are relocating to before considering moving any plants interstate.
These quarantine rules are important for preventing the spread of pests, weeds and diseases across Australia.
If you cannot take your potted plants with you, consider leaving them for the new owners or giving them away to family or friends.
Need help with your next move?
If you are preparing for a move – including moving some beloved plants – we can help.
At Fragile Removals & Storage, we are moving experts and help dozens of Australians with their moves every week.
We have branches located in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney and can handle both local and interstate moves.
For a free quote, contact us today on 1800 500 584
