Whether you’re moving across the nation, state, or city, carefully packing your houseplants is critical. Moving is stressful enough without having your plants die in transit due to poor planning. There is no need to be afraid—packing houseplants for a move isn’t as difficult as it seems.
If you employ removal companies for removal services London, be aware that most won’t relocate your houseplants. This may appear inconvenient at first, but it’s best to be responsible for your plants throughout a relocation. Putting your plants in the back of a moving van and hoping for the best is not advised. Even if your removal company London volunteer to transport your houseplants for you, it’s a good idea to do it yourself.
GET YOUR PLANTS READY TO GO
If you’re going out of state, contact the state’s USDA office to learn about plant import regulations because importing plants are restricted in some states.
Repot in Plastic Containers
Transfer all houseplants from breakable clay pots to plastic containers three weeks before your move. This will not only protect your clay pots from breakage during shipment but also make your plants lighter and easier to transport.
Don’t Bring Pests Along
When unloading boxes and settling into your new home, the last thing you need to deal with is a mealybug or spider mite infestation. Inspect your houseplants thoroughly before moving them to your new home. Soaping your plants with insecticidal soap will give you peace of mind even if you don’t locate any bugs.
Plant Pruning
Prune your plants a week before you move. In addition to keeping your plants compact and transportable, trimming uncontrolled growth encourages new development and helps them adjust to their new habitat. Avoid pruning cactus, ferns, and succulents; they want to be left alone.
PACKING HOUSEPLANTS
The best approach to pack your houseplants for a move depends on the type of plant you have. Start packing your plants the day before your move. If the plants must be packed in boxes, the lack of light should not be more than 24 hours.
Use Bubble Wrap
That’s especially true for thorny cactus and succulents that might hurt neighboring plants if they come into touch with them. Use old bedsheets, brown packing paper, newspaper, or bubble wrap to protect and secure your plants.
Hang Baskets From The Back Seat Grab Handles
Use your vehicle’s overhead grab bars to hang plants to pack them for a move. You can use hanging planters and baskets or buy macramé hooks to hang plants in non-hanging containers. Instead of buying plant hangers, build your using thread or yarn. Wrapping vining plants gently and inserting them in the pot’s top prevents the vines from being unintentionally snapped, ripped, or snagged in the car door. There will be no danger if you are cautious.
Backseat Plants
Large plants may not fit in boxes or hang from the ceiling of your car and will need to be placed on the floor or seat. Fold your seats to make more room for your plants in the backseat. To protect your car from dirt or water, wrap pots in plastic or place a drip tray under your plant. Before driving, ensure the plants are secure and won’t tumble over.
Wrap Leafy Plants In Plastic Or Paper
Use wrapping paper or plastic to keep leafy plants pinched or torn during transit. Wrap the pot’s base securely with the paper or plastic wrap, then let the wrap collapse into a cone shape around the plant’s foliage. Tape softly holds the wrap together at the top, leaving lots of space around the leaves.
KEEP THEM SAFE WHEN MOVING
You’ve packed up your plants and are ready to relocate. Though properly packaging your plants is a good beginning step, there are a few more things to keep in mind during travel to ensure their safety.
Don’t Subject Plants To Extreme Temperatures
One of the most difficult components of transferring plants is keeping them in a temperature-controlled environment. Switch on the heat or air conditioning before putting your plants in your car or van! This won’t be an issue if you live close to your new home.
Safeguard Them
Nothing can save a plant that tumbles across the car during a turn or rapid halt, so ensure that all of your plants are firmly secured before leaving. That may entail utilizing other moving boxes and materials to support the plants or even using seatbelts for larger plants.
Don’t Overnight Plants In The Car
If you have a lengthy drive with multiple stops, you may need to carry your plants with you at all times. If you are staying in a hotel, bring your plants with you to prevent exposure to the elements overnight.
ACCLIMATIZING PLANTS
Your houseplants should be one of the first items unpacked in your new home. Remove the plants from their packaging, place them in a suitable location in your home, and try not to fuss over them. Be mindful of minimizing plant stress.
Any plants (like ferns and calanthes) will be more sensitive to the stress of moving than others, so don’t be surprised if some of your plants exhibit signs of distress after you’ve settled in. They should fully recover with adequate care and time.
If you’ve recently relocated, you may need to be aware of environmental changes that may affect delicate plants. So, consider these factors while relocating your houseplants.
Make contact with a dependable removal services London like Hello Movers if you need any assistance in moving or packing your stuff!
