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During a move, not all your household items can be wrapped and packed into a moving box. Plants create a difficult situation during a move as they are alive, contain dirt that can spill out, and delicate leaves and branches that can break during the move.  Here are some packing tips you can use to pack and prepare for moving your houseplants.

Traveling With Plants During a Move

It is easy to become attached to your houseplants, so when it is time to move, you will want to move them with you. If you are moving and will be driving with your household items, you can take your plants with you in the vehicle as you travel. To prepare your plants for the move, place your plants inside an open box, packing the base tightly with crumpled newspapers or packing paper. This will secure the plant and pot from tipping over during the move. Then, set the boxes in your vehicle with you. 

You should also consider any potential extreme temperature changes during the move. Be sure not to leave the plants in the vehicle without air conditioning if you are moving during summer, or without heat during winter, just as you would a pet. These extreme temperatures can kill your plants. If you are stopping at a hotel for the night, take the plants into your hotel room with you.

Shipping Your Plants to Your New Home

For longer moves across the country, you can move your plants with you in your vehicle as you travel, packing the plants in open boxes packed with newspaper. But if you are going to be taking an airline flight, a train, or bus, you may not be able to bring a box of plants along with you. Here's what to do to ship your plants to your new home. 

1. Remove a plant from its pot and as much of the soil as possible. 
2. Moisten the root ball with water and wrap it in a wet towel. 
3. Then, wrap the towel with plastic to hold in the moisture and wrap the leaves and branches with a soft towel to prevent them from breaking. 
4. Fill the box with packing peanuts, seal the box, and you can ship it with a priority service to your new home. 

If you have several plants, select two or three to ship to your new home. Give the rest of your plants to a friend or neighbor and take plant cuttings with you to replant when you arrive at your new home. 

Taking Cuttings From Your Plants

When you take a cutting from your plant, you are taking a section of stem and leaves to grow roots and a new plant. 

1. Cut off a section of stem on a diagonal approximately 1/2-inch to 1/4-inch below a leaf node. The leaf node is where new roots will grow from.
2. Bundle the cuttings together and wrap the cuttings' bottoms in wet paper towels. 
3. Place the cuttings in the bottom of a gallon zip-closure bag. 
4. Roll the baggie up from the bottom and place it in your bag or other travel luggage to take with you on your flight, train, or bus trip to your new home. 
5. When you arrive at your new home, place your cuttings in water for several days, out of direct sunlight, until roots begin to grow.
6. When the cuttings have grown new roots, plant them in potting soil in a new pot and give them plenty of water.

Use these instructions to help you successfully move with plants. For more tips, talk to companies like Bekins Van Lines Inc.