Safe Passage for Plants: How Removal Companies Transport Your Green Friends

For many of us, the plants in our home aren’t just decorative or aesthetically pleasing—they’re a part of the household. Plants also need food, water, and attention, like children or pets. So when you prepare to pack up your home and move, there’s no question about it: the plants move, too. But how can you safely move them?

With the proper preparation or the help of professional movers, your plants can be safely stored and secured. At Adlam Transport, we aim to provide excellent service for all types of specialist moving needs. If you don’t want to deal with the stress of loading and transporting, we’re here for quick and convenient service.

Well before the move, you should consider several factors in your initial planning. Moving can be stressful, but a few simple steps can get you on track to your new home in no time.

Planning, Packing, and Preparing Your Plants

Whether it’s up the street or in a new city, taking a few precautions can help protect your flowery friends. Before you even begin the move, you should start to draft a plan about which specific plants will come with you and what the local area’s rules look like.

• Check the Government Regulations: If you plan to move interstate in Australia, check the local rules and regulations first. Ensure you can carry your plants into the new state and that there are no biosecurity certificates you need to obtain before bringing your plants in. Some states may not allow specific species or types of soil, and many regions implement these regulations to help protect the local flora. Knowing this information can help you decide which plants to leave behind.
• Make a List of the Essentials: Depending on how many plants you have, bringing all of your plants with you might not be easy or even possible. After checking the state regulations, decide on your priority plants. Which ones are non-negotiable to bring with you, and which ones could stay behind if needed? Are any plants of sentimental value or particularly rare plants? Brainstorming this list helps reduce excess costs and can help with budgeting plans. If you have any plants you can’t take with you, consider gifting them to friends or family who also share an interest in plants. That way, you know your plants are in good hands, and you’ve put a smile on someone’s face with a new gift.
• Consider the Climate: The best way to ensure a smooth transition for your plants is to keep them in a similar climate. Australia is a vast continent with multiple environments; some plants will thrive better in certain conditions. All plants require different amounts of sunlight, water, and soil. Some plants might be moving to a very different climate than what they’re used to. Sometimes, you can consider whether your indoor plants might become outdoor plants or vice-versa.

Once you have considered these primary factors, you can begin preparing your plants for the big day.

Tips Just Before the Move

In the days leading up to your move, you’ll have to start to get your plants ready. Unlike some of your oversized furniture or clothing, your plants must wait until nearly the last minute. Pack them too early, and you risk underwatering and killing the plants. Pack them too late, and the wet soil may cause root rot.

• Speak to the Professionals: The best way to ensure your plants will move safely and reduce stress in your move is to contact a specialist removalist. These dedicated professionals typically have years of experience and can quickly and efficiently complete the job.
• Check for Crawling Creatures: Before packing your plants, inspect them to make sure they aren’t going to bring any unwanted passengers. Look at the leaves and stems of your plants, particularly for bite marks or tiny insects. It’s also helpful to keep your indoor and outdoor plants in separate containers so there is no chance of the insects crossing over. There are plenty of natural pesticides that you can make to get rid of these bugs safely. Vegetable oil spray, dish soap spray, and neem oil are all natural remedies to this issue.
• Keep Your Pots Protected: Check the material of your plants’ pots. Heavy, delicate materials like clay or ceramic jars will likely break during the move. If they shatter, it can impact the soil and sometimes damage the plant’s roots. Change any of these pots into a more durable material that can withstand travel, like plastic. There are two ways to tackle this:
  1. Use a new plastic, shatterproof container and repot the plant. Make sure you repot these plants a few days before you travel to give them time to adjust to their new environment.
  2. Remove the plant from the pot, wrap your plants with newspaper and string, and repot them again upon arrival. This method is better if you want to use the same pots again. If your plant was already in a beautifully decorated jar, you may want to use it once it is safely in its new home.
• Do Some Prior Pruning: Before leaving, trim any dead leaves or clear out excess plant matter in your pots. This quick pruning makes for a cleaner move and encourages plant growth during the move.
• Take Care in Packaging: Plants are delicate and require careful attention when packing. With just a few simple steps, your plants will be safely ready for transport.
  • Keep plants separate so they do not tangle with each other.
  • Use cardboard boxes that hold the plants firmly in place. Keep the lids on these boxes open to expose the plants to air and sunlight.
  • Fill any space in the boxes with newspaper or scrap paper to help keep the pots contained.

On the day of the move, check the soil of the pots. While you don’t want your plants to travel wet, you also don’t want the soil too dry, especially for a long travel time. Spray the soil to keep it moist without adding too much water. If you are travelling in a car, bring any specialty plants with you if possible. This can help you keep an eye on smaller or high-maintenance plants that may need more care.

Remember that the plants will have less access to air and sunlight in a car or a moving truck. Be sure to bring them out into the sun shortly after you arrive at your new destination.

When In Doubt, Get a Professional

There are so many different steps and checklists to keep track of when you move. It’s not just your plants—it’s your furniture, your kitchen equipment, your bedroom necessities, and even your pets.

Don’t let the hassle bring you down. Bring in the professionals instead. There are many excellent specialist removalist companies throughout Australia. If you’re in the Perth area, visit Adlam Transport for speciality removals. With over 25 years of service and a qualified team of dedicated movers, we’re happy to take the load off your hands and the stress off your mind. Contact us today, and we’ll get you settled into your new home with your happy, healthy plants in no time.