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Moving Plants From State to State

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Spathiphyllum
Photo Credit: Daniel Overcash
Houseplants like this Spathiphyllum usually have few restrictions moving from state to state since they’ve been in a more controlled environment (inside the house).
When you move from one state to another, there’s obviously lots of extra planning to consider: securing a new job, finding a new house, getting the kids lined up for a new school, and of course, arranging for movers to load up your belongings and deliver them across state lines. You may think you’ve thought of everything when it comes to the big move, but many homeowners – even some avid gardeners – have been surprised when the movers arrive and explain that without the proper documentation, they won’t be able to take their favorite plants along with them.

“What’s the big deal?” you may wonder.

Believe it or not, some states are free of pests and diseases that plague other states. Each state’s Department of Agriculture establishes guidelines to protect their native plants, as well as their gardeners’ cultivated ones. You don’t want to be the culprit who introduces an invasive plant or harmful pest to your new state, do you?

Moving plants from state to state isn’t terribly difficult, but it does require a bit of planning for you to get that necessary stamp of approval.

The first step is to check the laws and regulations of the National Plant Board to determine the exact requirements each state has set forth for moving plants into their territory. Some states have few restrictions, while others are so tightly regulated, it may just be easier to leave the plants behind and start new when you arrive.

Tips
  • Plan at least 15 days ahead to get an official inspection from a state regulatory official.
  • Plants that are shipped bare-rooted are subject to less requirements than plants that are rooted in soil. (The soil can harbor pests and make them difficult to detect.)
Definitions
  • Phytosanitary Certificate: An official document that states that the plants in a shipment are apparently free of harmful organisms.
  • Quarantine: A regulation issued by either the state or federal government to try to prevent or slow the spread of an exotic insect or disease.
Resources
  • Before your big move, be sure to check the laws and regulations of the National Plant Board to determine the exact requirements each state has set for moving plants into its territory.
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