For plant parents and budding gardeners, having to uproot our leafy, green friends and transport them to a new location can seem like an impossible task.
Moving can be a stressful and chaotic time, not just for people, but for our beloved houseplants too.
For plant parents and budding gardeners, having to uproot our leafy, green friends and transport them to a new location can seem like an impossible task.
But with some planning, preparation, and TLC, your plants can make it through the move no worse for wear and thrive in their new environment.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through all the key steps you should take to properly move your potted plants and indoor gardens using a professional moving company in Vancouver.
Preparing Plants Ahead of Time is Key
Before moving day arrives, you need to triage and prep your plants. Assess each plant and prune dead or damaged foliage and branches.
This reduces the stress on the plant during transit by removing excess weight it won’t have energy to support.
Also, inspect closely for any pests or diseases – treat issues ahead of time so plants go into the move as healthy as possible.
You also want to make sure plants are well-hydrated before subjecting them to the shock of relocation. Water your plants thoroughly 1-2 days prior to the move.
This gives foliage and roots important reserves of moisture to withstand a day or two of disruption.
Finally, organize all your houseplants and potted plants together in one area of the house, such as on a patio or balcony, to simplify access for the movers.
Use Proper Packing Materials to Protect Plants
You need to take measures to cushion and stabilize plants within boxes and containers during the journey.
High-quality packing materials are a must. Wrap, sleeve, or pad plant branches with burlap or other soft material to avoid snapping and damaging leaves and stems.
Use packing paper, styrofoam peanuts, or other cushioning materials to carefully pad empty space within pots.
This absorbs vibrations and prevents heavy soils from shifting and spilling during transit.
Plastic bags stretched over the soil surface also help retain moisture while preventing dirt from leaking out of drainage holes.
Insulate plant pots further with furniture pads or soft blankets to create a temperature-controlled environment. Finally, clearly label each plant container with the plant name and any special care instructions so nothing gets mixed up.
Have Movers Take Extra Care Loading the Truck
Pay close attention to how the movers load and transport your plant boxes. Instruct them to gently place the plant containers inside the truck rather than carelessly tossing them in the back.
Make sure to avoid positioning heavy boxes or furniture items directly on top of your plant boxes. The boxes should be secured in place so they don’t slide around on the journey.
Request that your plants be loaded last on the truck, so they can be prioritized for gentle unloading first at the new house.
This minimizes the time they spend jostled in the back of the truck. If possible, keep your plants in a climate-controlled truck cabin rather than exposing them to temperature extremes in a hot, enclosed trailer.
Help Plants Adjust in the New Setting
Finally, after arriving at the new home it’s important to quickly unpack and relocate plants to appropriate new lighting conditions in the home. Water thoroughly to help recover from the stress of moving.
Gradually transition plants to reintroduce to sunnier areas to avoid shock. Repot into larger containers if roots seem crowded.
Monitor closely for signs of stress like leaf drooping or color changes, taking corrective actions to nurse plants back to health in their new home environs.
