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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 succulents in pots transported?
We can now pack the plant in plastic containers if we need to move and take it with us. However, we cannot use plastic boxes for shipping, so a cardboard box is the best option here. A sturdy cardboard box works nicely for this.
The succulents can be packed in a sturdy corrugated cardboard box. For shipment, it is preferable to pack tightly. Succulents should be gently placed into the box once bubble wrap or more newspapers have been added.
Fill in any gaps between the succulents and the box or between the succulents if there are any to prevent the succulents from moving around.
Keep in mind that during transportation, packages are handled improperly as well. To prevent harm from improper handling, we must therefore stuff the box’s interior with materials. Materials like bubble wrap and peanuts are additional options. Therefore, be sure to choose the correct box.
It’s also a good idea to label the outside of the box “perishable” or “fragile,” and to keep a note of the plants that are contained inside.
Use tape to tape the box shut so that it won’t open up during traveling. To secure the box, tape needs to be used on all four sides.
A succulent can survive without water for how long?
In general, succulents that are grown indoors or outdoors during the cooler months will need less water. They can go without water for one to three months.
Indoor succulents will be less exposed to the weather outside because the soil dries out more quickly outside than it does indoors due to the wind and sunlight.
The soil remains moist for extended periods of time in milder climes, typically fall and winter.
To avoid overwatering indoor plants during the cooler months, read more about our toothpick test here.
To avoid root rot, it’s crucial to examine the soil before watering indoor succulent plants and to make sure it is completely dry between waterings.
Succulents can they survive shipping?
Succulents are hardy plants, so if you properly package them, they can withstand shipment for a week or two. To avoid any damage, it would be good if you could attempt to make sure that the succulent is delivered within a week.
In order to accomplish this, try shipping the succulent on a Monday or a Tuesday so that it can arrive on time without getting stuck in transit over the weekend.
If your succulent is properly covered and the weather is right, it is completely feasible that it could even last longer. However, there is no way to be certain about this.
How should I care for my succulents while I’m away?
1. Drink Water Before Leaving
Succulents require extremely little care compared to other indoor plants. They also don’t require a lot of irrigation because their roots and leaves can retain water. In fact, they can survive for up to 10 days without any water.
Therefore, giving your succulents a nice soak in water before you go should be plenty to keep them healthy while you’re away if you only want to leave them for a week. Before watering, just make sure the soil is fully dry. It’s preferable to avoid watering them at all if possible.
Give your succulents a nice bath in water before you leave, even if you only intend to leave them for a week.
Install a self-watering system 2.
Even while succulents can tolerate drought, it wouldn’t be a good idea to fully deprive them of water, especially if you’ll be gone for a few weeks.
 
In light of this, we strongly advise installing a self-watering system. You can either purchase one already built, such as a “Cotton/woven string drip system” or “Blumat watering stakes with timer” from Amazon or a nearby retailer, or you can make your own by combining plastic bottles or buckets with “shoelaces” or any other type of woolen string.
Simply set the water-filled plastic bottle or bucket above your plants on a chair or other surface to do this. Put the shoelaces or strings inside the water-filled bucket or plastic bottle. Once finished, insert the other end of the string into the ground about 1 to 1.5 inches.  
To water each plant, add as many strings to the bucket as there are plants.
3. Place plants in a shady location.
Leaving your succulents in direct sunshine can not only make them dry out more quickly, but you also run the chance of them suffering sun damage, especially if you’ll be gone for a month or more.
Better transfer your succulents to a less bright spot before you go in light of this. As this will be sufficient for your succulents to get all the light they need to stay healthy while you’re away and at the same time, prevent the risk of getting any damage caused by the sun, we recommend placing them in a cool, shaded area where they can get at least 3 to 4 hours of indirect or filtered sunlight per day should be great.
4. Increase Interior Temperatures.
Succulents prefer moderate temperatures all year round (between 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit). In light of this, we strongly advise bringing your outdoor plants inside, particularly if you’ll be traveling during the winter. Then, set the thermostat to a low setting (about 12C or 53.6F) to assist prolong the watering cycle. Also, remember to adjust your heat or air conditioning as necessary, and place your succulents near an open window or an air vent so they can breathe, especially if you are leaving on vacation in the spring or summer.
Placing the plants close together is an excellent strategy to increase the humidity level around them while you’re away if you intend to leave your succulents throughout the winter and it gets really dry in your home during this time.
Can I overnight leave my succulents in the car?
Avoid keeping your succulents for an extended period of time in a dark, enclosed area (such as a moving truck or trunk), even though it might be challenging. Your succulents could experience some damage if there is insufficient light and airflow.
Although Aloes and Agaves are the only plants where this typically occurs, be as cautious as you can. As a result, it appears as though the succulent has been overwatered and is rotting. Fortunately, the damage usually doesn’t cause the plant to die, and if you take good care of it, the new growth will eventually appear normal.
Additionally, try your best to preserve your succulents in a temperate atmosphere. Avoid putting them in a place that will get quite hot if you are moving during the summer (over 90 degrees). In contrast, throughout the winter you should keep them somewhere that is above 40 degrees.
You’ll be alright most of the time if you’re in a car. In a big moving truck, it will be more difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature. Just remember to check in on your succulents every so often if you’re going to be gone for several hours or days. In the event that you will be stopped overnight, remove them from the vehicle.
How do plants traverse huge distances?
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.