When you travel, do you ever visit nurseries or a friend’s garden where they let you dig up some plants to take home? Perhaps you travel cross-country to the Garden Bloggers Fling, the Garden Writers Association summit, or one of the major flower exhibits, and you bring back too much plant swag to fit on the aircraft.
At the most recent Garden Writers symposium in Tucson, I experienced this. When Scott Calhoun and the Civano Nursery representative persuaded me to take a lovely 5-gallon Indian mallow in the vendor show hall, that was the turning point for me. I realized I could no longer simply bring my plants on the aircraft with me (Abutilon palmeri). Check it out! How could I resist an abutilon plant with cupped orange blooms that like gray globemallows and silky, silver-green leaves? I’m not even sure if this native to Arizona will survive in my Austin garden because it’s a little finicky about chilly temperatures. But because it was free, I was prepared to give it a shot.
It was on the balcony of my hotel room till the evening before my travel. It was then time to get it ready for packing in my suitcase. I first removed all of those gorgeous, blossoming branches, sob! Although I was without pruners, the supple branches were simple to break off and snap.
The soil was then secured around the top of the root ball using an old towel that I had brought along just for this purpose. Newspaper coils that had been twisted would have also worked.
I’d been told to knock all the soil off, wrap the roots in damp newspaper, and put the wrapped roots in a plastic bag to eliminate the weight of the soil if the plant’s weight was a worry for checking my bag. However, thanks to the fact that I had packed a duffel bag, I was able to transfer all of my clothing there. This freed up space in my large luggage for plants and my toiletries bag, which could be wet without damaging them.
In an effort to prevent any loose soil from falling into my suitcase, I placed the plant inside of a plastic waste bag and then placed another one on top of it. It fit well when it was turned on its side.
I also got a ton of tiny freebies to take home. The morning before I left, I watered them continuously to ensure that when it came time to pack them, they would be damp but not drenched.
I formed a cone out of newspaper and wrapped it around the pots, fastening the sheets with elastic bands. One was placed in a plastic bag with a zip-top that I had brought.
My cosmetics bag was a perfect match next to the Indian mallow, holding it firmly in place. The smaller plants were crammed tightly into the top of the bag, and any holes were filled with additional newspaper.
The following morning, I briefly worried that this bag would put me over the weight restriction, but everything turned out fine. I settled down for a day of travel once it checked through without a hitch. Again, if you are worried about exceeding the weight restriction, think about removing the dirt and enclosing the plant’s naked roots in wet newspaper or towels.
When I reached home, I opened the bag and took the plants out. They were all contained, with the exception of a small amount of loose soil in the luggage, due to the careful packing. The Indian mallow can be seen here, looking great.
Additionally, the lesser plants were gorgeous. They quickly sat up straight again and appeared unaffected by their travel home with a luggage.
Keep in mind that some nations, including some US jurisdictions, have regulations regarding the importation of plants. Before carrying any plants on your aircraft, make sure it’s legal.
Can a succulent be brought on a plane?
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States, you can transport plants on airplanes. The TSA permits both carry-on and checked luggage to contain plants. However, you should be aware that the on-duty TSA personnel have the authority to refuse anything and will decide what you can bring through security.
When traveling abroad or to Hawaii, it is more difficult to bring plants on a plane. Make sure to do your study well in advance to determine whether any licenses are necessary and to learn whether any plants need to be quarantined or banned. If you want further details, get in touch with the nation’s agriculture department.
Can you carry a plant in a pot and fly?
TSA personnel have seen it all by this point, so they most likely won’t even raise an eyebrow if they see a traveler carrying a plant through screening. Passengers are permitted to bring plants either as carry-on items or in checked luggage, according to the TSA. Plants must go through security screening just like the rest of your possessions. Prepare to put them on the conveyor belt for X-rays together with the rest of your carry-on luggage.
How are succulents transported?
Succulents should be transported in plastic bins when it’s time to move out, especially if they are in small pots or containers. In addition to allowing the plants to remain upright, this will also keep them in place, preventing them from shifting or moving during transport.
Additionally, it’s crucial to mark each plant as you put it in the box. This will enable package handlers to handle them with care.
How are live plants transported?
As people who love plants, we occasionally have to deal with the fairly delicate task of transporting houseplants. Perhaps you want to give away all those stray propagations you started as gifts this Christmas season. Perhaps you should relocate to a different state with your collection. Or perhaps, while on the road, you stop by a little nursery for a “quick peak” and discover the Philodendron of your dreams there.
In any event, whether you’re relocating or giving plants as gifts, here are some useful pointers for keeping your plants secure on their voyage.
Traveling with Houseplants
It is wise to give your houseplants a little attention a week or two prior to your intended trip so that they are prepared for the environmental changes they will experience. Like us, plants lead busy lives in search of nourishment and fulfillment, yet they move far more slowly and necessitate patience and gentle handling from their caretakers. Always leave enough time between major changes to give your plant a chance to adjust. Stress can be caused by too much change or stimulation at once, which can restrict or stop a plant’s growth, cause leaf loss, or make it more vulnerable to pests and illnesses.
Start by grooming and trimming a little before packing your houseplants. Dead or damaged leaves should be removed. Trim lengthy vines or stems that are particularly wandering if your plant has them to make movement easier. To save weight and lower the possibility of shattering pottery, think about repotting plants in plastic nursery pots. Dust the foliage gently with a damp cloth (or a gentle paintbrush for velvety or hairy foliage) and apply pest control measures as necessary.
Very thirsty plants, like ferns, can be watered the day before the trip (or early the same day if it’s hot). Water more moderate plants a few days in advance to ensure that the soil is just moderately moist during transportation. Keep in mind that root rot is most likely in moist soil in a dark, cool environment.
It can be comforting to know that traveling with houseplants is very similar to traveling with animals if you find the idea intimidating. Keep your vehicle cool on hot days and warm on winter days (see below for more details about how temperature affects travelling with houseplants).
Treat your plants like a dog if you must leave them in the car on a hot day. When parking in the shade, open the window, and hurry back from your business. If cleanliness is an issue, a shower curtain or sheet will shield your car from mud and dampness. Extra newspapers, paper towels, and a watering can or bottle should be brought along.
This Ficus lyrata is ready to embark on a trip that is definitely dangerous. It’s best to simply bring along plants that you can accommodate!
Using strong boxes is the safest way to pack your plants. Make sure the boxes are as stable as possible by placing them on the floor or on seats rather than the trunk or open truck bed. Plants can be nestled inside of them, but any loose vines should be lifted and gently spooled on top. If you intend to cover them, make air holes and stuff pots lightly with newspaper. If it’s a particularly hot day, you can load the pots with sphagnum moss or lightly dampened newspaper to keep the plants cool and humid in the heated, dry interior of your car.
Large pots can be placed in garbage bags along with exceptionally large specimens to prevent spills, but make sure to leave a small opening at the top of the bag so the soil can breathe. For very delicate or priceless specimens, a bird cage, dog box, or cat carrier may be useful. These buildings will be shielded from bright light by a sheer cloth.
Your plants should, in theory, be exposed to light every day, but they risk getting burned in the sun on a hot day. Unless the weather is constantly cloudy, keep boxes covered. Finding a parking space with bright, indirect light to stop and remove the lid is a good idea at rest breaks.
Make sure to bring indoor plants with you at night on longer travels. A tropical plant can easily be killed or seriously damaged by spending one night in a cold car. If plants in hotel sinks or bathtubs start to dry up, water them lightly. You can keep them in a hotel tub with the bathroom light (or a grow light brought from home) left on overnight to help make up the difference if they need to be covered during the day due to a lengthy journey.
Just like their human co-pilots, plants can benefit from seatbelts by staying in place while driving!
If you are relocating your collection over state boundaries, never forget to examine the specific requirements of each state first. California, Arizona, and Florida are some states with a reputation for having stricter rules. You might not be able to bring your plants into Canada if you’re vacationing there. Be sure to review the most recent laws and standards pertaining to declaring plant material here.
Houseplants are often acceptable in your carry-on or checked bags as long as they adhere to the baggage regulations, while each airline has its own set of requirements. However, if you want to travel with houseplants, be ready to take them out of their packaging for inspection and to put them through the x-ray machine with the rest of your belongings.
To prevent soil spilling, wrap the plant or the pot in plastic. Alternatively, to be extra safe, maintain plants “bare root” (in some situations, this may be legally required as soil can harbor foreign insects). To do this, carefully remove the plant from its pot, tease away any extra soil with your fingertips, and then gently rinse the roots in warm water to get rid of the remaining soil. For the travel, wrap the roots with wet moss or paper towels, then repot them as soon as you arrive.
In most circumstances, taking houseplants on a trip within the contiguous United States won’t be an issue, however going abroad or abroad can be more challenging. Regulating which plants are permitted to cross international boundaries is frequently the responsibility of national agriculture departments. These regulations must be followed since even a single invasive plant or bug can have a long-lasting negative impact on fragile ecosystems and agricultural economies.
There are stringent agricultural limitations in some US territories, such as Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Some living plants can be carried inside, but the majority must be bare-rooted, and some of them may be invasive. Before planning to transport plants over international (and, in some cases, state) boundaries, make sure to familiarize yourself with the laws of the departure and destination sites. To learn about possible charges and permits, get in touch with the agriculture department of your intended destination nation. For further information, see the US Customs & Border Protection website.
What if you’re not traveling yourself but merely want to give plants to relatives and friends? We’re not to blame; plants make wonderful presents. Here are some pointers for mailing houseplants.
- Keep shipping simple by merely sending plants in their plastic nursery pots, or think about sending bare-root plants (see above for instructions). Before shipping, water the soil so that it is damp but not drenched.
- To stop the plant from shifting and creating a mess in the box, cover the soil at its base. Newspapers often adhere well to tape.
- Wrap the plant with butcher paper or newspaper to form a sleeve. To prevent the foliage from being bent or crumpled during this process, it is helpful to lay the plant on its side or completely invert it before sleeving.
- A box that is only slightly bigger than the plant you are transporting will work best. Place the plant inside and secure it with crumpled paper, peanuts (we prefer the biodegradable variety), shredded newspaper, or anything else to prevent it from shifting while being transported. Shake the package gently before closing it. Do you notice any internal plant movement? Reapply extra insulating material as necessary. The same guidelines apply if you are shipping numerous plants in the same box.
- Your plant can freeze in transit throughout the winter. In our packages, we include hot packs. To prevent your package from sitting out on a hot or chilly porch, avoid sending during heat waves and always let the recipient know when to expect their box.
- Houseplants should be sent via USPS Priority, which takes a maximum of 3 days to arrive. For areas like California that have agricultural limitations, always mark your box “contains live plants” so that mail carriers are aware to handle it carefully.