If you're moving to a new home in the near future, you're probably experiencing a mixture of excitement and dread. You may be excited because you're moving in order to accept a job you've been coveting, and you may be experiencing a certain degree of dread due to apprehension over the moving process as a whole. For instance, you may be concerned that your favorite house plants won't survive the trip -- and you have good reason for your concerns. Plants can be notoriously difficult to move, particularly when distances of more than a day's drive are a part of the picture.  Following are three things that you need to know about moving houseplants across the country.

Some States Won't Let You Bring Your Plants

The first thing that you need to do when planning your strategy for moving your plants to your new home is to check with the Department of Agriculture in the state to which you will be moving. It's possible that the state you're planning on relocating to doesn't allow certain types of vegetative material to cross its border, or that certain conditions must be met before you'll be allowed to bring them with you. This is more prevalent in states such as California in which agriculture is an important industry.

The main reason these restrictions exist is that plant material from other locations may introduce pests and diseases to farmers' fields as well as to native plant populations. It's also important to prevent the spread of invasive species. 

Individual state regulations range from none at all to extremely restrictive requirements that basically mandate that no outside plant material is to be brought across the border. However, most fall somewhere in between. Many states allow you to bring plant material provided it's been inspected by an official from your current state's Department of Agriculture and issued a certificate attesting that the plants are pest-and-disease free and not deemed an invasive species in the state where you'll be moving. 

It's better to research possible restrictions in advance than to be faced with unpleasant surprises. 

Some Plants May Not Survive a Long Trip

Certain plant species may not make it on a trip lasting several hours, let alone one lasting several days, particularly if they are traveling in moving vans that don't have a temperature control option. Temperatures that are too hot or too cold both may adversely affect houseplants to the extent that they die while in transit. Even if they are moved in temperature-controlled moving vans or trucks, they may still suffer from lack of air circulation, particularly if the duration of the move is more than a few hours. If the move lasts several days, lack of water will most likely be a factor as well. Once a plant begins to languish from exposure to overly hot or cold temperatures, it is usually very difficult to revive it. 

Some Plants Can Be Moved in Your Car

Many people find that the best course of action is moving their plants in their personal vehicles as long as everything checks out with their new state's regulations on bringing in plant material. Moving your plants in your car allows you to keep an eye on whether or not they need watering as well as ensure that they aren't too hot or too cold -- after all, you'll be keeping your car at a temperature that is comfortable for you, so it should be fine for your plants as well.

However, if you've got a large collection of houseplants, it may be best for you to choose your favorites and give the rest to friends and family.  Contact local moving companies for more information on safely moving your plants and other possessions to your new home.  

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