I'm relocating from South Dakota to Nebraska this July, and it's going to be a hot one! I'm feeling pretty stressed about how to transport my houseplants, especially my precious monstera. I'd love to bring most of them with me in my car to avoid the heat of a moving van, but I'm worried not all of them will fit. Should I consider ditching some plants and starting fresh, or is it worth the risk to move them all? I'm looking for any and all tips for moving plants, particularly during the summer heat! Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
I drove my plants cross country in July, and they all made it just fine! We left them in the car overnight at the hotel and did regular long driving. Just make sure to strap the pots together, or place them in boxes to stop them from tipping over. If you can’t fit all of them, maybe take cuttings from the plants you’ll leave behind and either give them away or sell them!
For packing, use open boxes instead of tubs; they need to be sturdy enough. Use household items like towels and grocery bags to keep the pots stable while in transit. Consider wrapping a garbage bag over the car window to filter sunlight if it gets too intense. Most plants can manage unpotted and bare root for a bit, too—just wrap the roots of tropicals in damp paper towels and plastic bags to keep them moist!
When I had to move in a similar situation (August, 12-hour drive), I rented a big SUV and drove early in the morning to avoid the heat. It took me about 3 days to complete the move, with hotel stops where I brought all my plants inside. In the end, I lost about 3 out of 120 plants, so it wasn’t terrible! Best of luck with your move!