Greening Your Move: Important Steps to Take as You Prepare Your Pot Plants for Moving

Moving house can be one of the most exciting yet daunting things. You don't want to forget about the pot plants (or even a potted tree!!) you have collected and grown over the years. They are part of your life and deserve the same consideration as any other living thing. You must treat them carefully and move them thoughtfully to make sure they arrive at their new home happy and healthy.

And it really doesn't matter if your new home is just across town or just five minutes away, moving house with pot plants involves a unique responsibility.

But, with the right planning, preparation, and execution, a house move with pot plants can be carried out easily. In this guide, we will explain how to care for your plants as you prepare to move them, and once you're settled into your new home - as you make sure they thrive in their new environment. At Men That Move, we have moved many homes and many many green moves, and we are proud of the attention we pay to houseplants. So, when you're looking for guaranteed and reliable movers Wollongong people trust, your plants are in good hands with us.

Greening During the Move: Plant Stress and Management

We forget, as do plants, that stress can also affect plants, too, whether you are moving, or leaving them behind and when a plant is moving, it experiences changes to light, temperature and environment, and each one can shock a plant system. To help manage stress prior to the move, you want to shower your plants with attention and care. By keeping plants well pruned, packed in boxes a little care, and repotted into sturdy containers is a step forward and a good end to stress on a plant!

It is critical for you to prepare your plants before your moving day arrives. The better shape they're in, the better they will do the day of the move. One of the first steps to prepare the plants is to prune them a few days before the move. If you can cut off the dead leaves or unimportant growth, the plant will have more energy left over that can go to any transit stress instead of moving or breaking during transport.

You should water your plants, hot or cold, this is a timing issue. Your plants should be watered leading to the move but you should NOT let the soil become sloppy or saturated. It’s messy, heavy, and you've got them in your hands or sealing the boxes. In some instances, you should consider repotting the plants into lighter, smaller or otherwise manageable containers. This pertains especially if pots are heavy or have a risk of breaking during packing. Even if you can change it out for a shatter-proof plastic pot instead of ceramic or clay, you reduce the risk of not having to deal with the ceramic or clay pots breaking. Repotting allows you to have new soil, and you can inspect the plant and soil for pests, root and/or rot issues. Healthy plants with stable roots are far more likely to thrive once resettled.

Packing Your Plants: How to Move Your Plants Safely

Packing your potted plants requires more attention than most items when you move because they can get knocked over or otherwise damaged in transit. If you are using our plastic moving boxes, line the bottom of the box with soft materials (crumpled paper, bubble wrap, etc). This gives the pot some cushion and adds stability when packed in the box.

Once the plant is inside the box, pack the sides and top corners of the box with more of your packing material so that the pot is secured. The goal is to keep the plant upright, stable and to minimize any jolting or sudden movements. The leaves and stems of your plant should have enough space for breathing but not so much that the plant is able to lean and tip over. It's this fine line that makes plant packing a little more cumbersome but completely worth the work.

If you're moving with a moving company (removalists Wollongong people use), make sure to advise them of which boxes contain plant items. A quality removalist will make a note to take extra care in these instances when loading and unloading.

Watering Your Houseplants: Maintaining the Health of your Plants During Moving Day

Moving day is never the time for heavy watering, especially if the plant is being transported in the car, a light mist, or a small drink of water is often more than enough to keep your plants comfortable through the move. If the pot is too wet, it can be heavy, leak water all over the place, and even lend itself to potential root rot if the soil is left damp.

Instead of watering the morning you move, check for moisture prior to leaving. If the soil is really dry at least an inch deep, it is fine to give them a small drink, also keeping a water spray bottle with you to mist the leaves is a good practice, especially for warm driving or extended stays.

Greening During the Move: Plant Stress and Management

We forget, as do plants, that stress can also affect plants, too, whether you are moving, or leaving them behind and when a plant is moving, it experiences changes to light, temperature and environment, and each one can shock a plant system. To help manage stress prior to the move, you want to shower your plants with attention and care. By keeping plants well pruned, packed in boxes a little care, and repotted into sturdy containers is a step forward and a good end to stress on a plant!

When you are with professional movers, that extra care continues on the moving day. At Men That Move, we've moved not only large indoor palm plants, but also small succulent plants, and everything in between. What we've learned is that we have to care for each class of plant differently, and we've even been known to talk to the plants - after all, it won't hurt.

Returning Home for Your Houseplants: Unboxing and Arranging Your Plants in their New Home

After the work of the move, your plants want to be the first to feel at home. After you're moved in, unbox your plants and inspect each of them. Inspect each plant closely to check whether they show some form of stress (leaves dangling, broken stems, soil that was left too dry, or too wet).

If the temporary pots that were used to move them were unsuitable or too small for their long term growing conditions, then you may like to repot them into permanent pots. Be sure to choose pots that have suitable drainage options and allow for proper root size as the plant grows. Repotting is also a great time to introduce them to fresh soil, full of nutrients for recovery and new growth.

After replanting, you should give your plants a gentle drink, not something too strong. Also, do not fertilize for a few days afterwards to give them time to settle in. Remember to slowly acclimate your plants to the new home; put them in similar light and temperature areas as their original environment. Keep in mind dramatic changes to how much light during the day can shock your plants, do not do that all at once, but rather gradually over a few days.

Most plants recover from a move quickly, given the right amount of care and attention. You may find that they thrive even better in your new home because of the shift in surroundings!

How to make your move with Living Plants A Success From House to Home

Moving your plants with you to your new home is an amazing way to carry on with continuity, comfort and life. Yes, it requires a lot of time and effort, but the potential reward is high. By being proactive, using the right means, and working with a moving company that understands how important plants are, you will give your plants the best opportunity to get established in their new space.

Whether you’re moving a few blocks or starting fresh in a new suburb, trusted removalists in Wollongong like Men That Move can help make your green transition seamless. With a bit of love, light, and patience, your leafy friends will settle in beautifully - and your new house will feel like home in no time.

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