Moving with Plants: 5 Steps to Safely Transport Your Houseplants

Moving is hard on houseplants. Unlike furniture, plants are living organisms that respond to shifts in light, temperature, humidity, and even vibration. A move that takes a few hours can feel like weeks of environmental stress. Some varieties, like Ficus and Fiddle Leaf Figs, are notoriously sensitive to any kind of change. With the right preparation, most plants travel well. Here are five practical steps to give yours the best chance of arriving healthy.

1. Water One Week Before — Not the Night Before

Water your plants thoroughly about one week before moving day. Soil that is saturated too close to the move creates unnecessary weight, and plants enclosed in boxes without airflow are at risk of root rot if they stay wet for extended periods. Watering a week out gives plants time to absorb moisture fully while allowing the top layer of soil to dry slightly, reducing spill risk and keeping roots healthy.

Also avoid fertilising in the two weeks before the move. Fertiliser encourages new, tender growth, which is exactly what suffers most in transit.

Moving with houseplants - tips for safely transporting plants during a move

2. Prune for Stability

Pruning before a move serves two purposes: it reduces the surface area of leaves that can be bruised or damaged in transit, and it lowers the centre of gravity on top-heavy plants like Monstera, Bird of Paradise, and Fiddle Leaf Figs that are prone to tipping in a moving van. Focus on removing dead or yellowing leaves, awkwardly extending stems, and any damaged growth. As a rule, avoid removing more than 20 to 25 percent of foliage at once. Over-pruning is its own form of stress. If your plant is compact and healthy, skip this step.

3. Protect Delicate Foliage

For plants with large, waxy leaves like Monstera or Rubber Plants, loosely wrap the canopy in paper, not plastic film directly against the leaves, which traps moisture and can cause rot. For smaller, humidity-loving plants like Calathea or ferns, a loose plastic bag over the pot (not the leaves) helps preserve the microclimate they are used to. Add a few small air holes if the journey exceeds a couple of hours. Avoid packing plants tightly together: leaves bruise easily, and transit damage often only appears days later.

4. Secure the Soil

Tall plants like Dracaenas, Palms, and Snake Plants often need to be laid on their sides to fit in a vehicle. Before doing this, press a double layer of newspaper firmly against the soil surface and tape it securely to the outside of the pot. This keeps the root zone intact and prevents soil from shifting or compacting around roots during movement. For plants travelling upright, place them in boxes with crumpled paper between pots to stop them from knocking together. Never stack anything on top of foliage.

5. Guard Against Temperature

Most tropical houseplants are comfortable between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 30 Celsius). Below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celsius), many plants struggle. Below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 Celsius), damage can be severe and sometimes permanent. This is the single most underestimated risk when moving plants.

If you are moving in winter or your plants will spend time in an overnight moving truck, plan accordingly. Bring tender plants in your car. At rest stops, never leave plants in a sealed vehicle on a hot day either: interior temperatures rise quickly. When in doubt, treat your plants the way you would a pet. If conditions are uncomfortable for you, they are too much for them.

Can't Move Your Plants?

If your plants can't make the journey, here are a few practical options:

  • Take a cutting: Snip a healthy stem, wrap the cut end in damp tissue, and seal it in a plastic bag for the trip. Most common houseplants (Pothos, Monstera, Rubber Plant, Tradescantia) propagate readily in water. Start fresh in your new home.
  • Give them to friends: A plant you have cared for over years makes a genuinely meaningful parting gift. A friend who appreciates plants will look after it well.
  • Donate to a school or organisation: Offices, schools, and community spaces welcome plants. It is a straightforward way to give your plant a longer life somewhere it will be tended to.

Once your plants arrive, expect a settling-in period. It is normal for plants to drop a few leaves in the first two to four weeks as they adjust to new light levels, humidity, and temperature. Resist the urge to overwater during this time: stressed plants are more susceptible to root rot. Hold off on fertilising for four to six weeks, find each plant its best light position, and let them adjust at their own pace.

If some plants did not survive the move, or you are ready to fill your new space, browse our collection of premium indoor plants, hand-selected and delivered straight to your door.