Transporting plants during a house move requires careful planning and preparation to ensure they remain healthy and undamaged. Ark Relocation, with their extensive experience in house and commercial removals in Milton Keynes, provides valuable insights to help you with the process:
Before Your House Move
- Pruning: Prune larger plants to make them more manageable, involving trimming back long branches or leaves.
- Selective Pruning: Focus on removing dead or dying leaves and branches to encourage healthy growth.
- Timing: Prune a few weeks before the move for recovery time.
- Pest Control: Check for pests and treat them. Ark Relocation suggests inspecting under leaves and near soil lines.
- Treatment: Use organic or chemical pest control methods. Natural options like neem oil are recommended.
- Repotting: Consider repotting into plastic containers for lighter, less breakable options. Ensure adequate drainage and use fresh potting soil for a nutrient boost.
- Watering: Water as usual but avoid overwatering before the move. Soil should be moist, not soggy, on moving day.
During the Move
- Packing: Use sturdy boxes, securing pots with packing materials like bubble wrap or newspaper. Ark Relocation provides high-quality packing materials for this purpose.
- Box Size: Choose a box tall enough and sturdy enough for the plant.
- Securing Plants: Use stakes or ties to keep them upright and prevent movement.
- Temperature Control: Maintain a temperature-controlled environment as much as possible to avoid harm.
- Positioning: Keep plants upright and secure during transport.
- Light: Expose plants to light periodically during lengthy moves.
Ark Relocation’s modern fleet and experienced teams ensure your plants are transported safely, maintaining upright positions and appropriate temperatures.
After the Move
- Unpack Immediately: Reduce stress by unpacking plants as soon as possible.
- Acclimatize: Gradually introduce them to the new environment, mimicking previous light and temperature conditions.
- Watering and Care: Resume normal care routine, adjusting for the new environment.
Special Considerations
- Long-Distance Moves: Assess how long plants will be in transit. Some may not survive extended periods without light or water. See also our advice on moving in bad weather if cold or wet conditions are a concern during transit.
- Health Check: Consider the plant’s health for the journey.
- Alternative Solutions: For very long moves, consider gifting plants or using a specialized plant moving service.
- Climate Change: Be mindful of environmental changes.
Ark Relocation, with their comprehensive service, including packing, storage and insurance coverage, ensures a safe and successful move for your plants. For guidance on safely preparing your other household items, see our appliances and electronics guide.
Plants and UK Law: What You Need to Know
If you are moving internationally, it is worth knowing that the UK has strict rules about importing and exporting certain plant species, soil, and growing media. If you are moving abroad from the UK, check the plant import regulations for your destination country well in advance. Some plants cannot be transported across borders at all.
For domestic moves within the UK, there are no restrictions, but you should still declare any plants treated with pesticides or herbicides to your removal team so we can handle them appropriately.
Large or Established Plants: Is It Worth Moving Them?
For a local move within Milton Keynes, transporting even large established plants is usually straightforward. For longer moves — particularly anything over three or four hours in a vehicle — it is worth honestly assessing whether a plant can cope with the journey. Large tree-like houseplants, mature citrus trees, and orchids are often better gifted to neighbours or rehomed locally, then replaced at the other end.
If you do want to move large plants, our team can arrange appropriate securing in the vehicle and will always transport them upright. We do not transport plants in the back of enclosed lorries on very hot days (above around 25°C) without ventilation, as temperatures inside the load area can exceed 40°C.
Packing Materials for Plants
You should pack your own plants rather than leaving this to the removal crew, as you know each plant’s individual requirements. However, we can supply all the packing materials you need:
- Double-walled tall cardboard boxes for upright plants
- Bubble wrap and packing paper for pots
- Cane stakes and soft ties to secure stems
- Plastic bin bags for over-pot waterproofing
If you would like us to help source or supply packing materials, our packing service team can advise.
Ready to Move?
Whether you have a single cactus or a conservatory full of tropical plants, Ark Relocation will work with you to get everything to your new home safely. Request a free quote or book a home survey and we will plan your move around your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Ark Relocation move my plants for me?
Our team can transport plants in our enclosed vehicles and will always keep them upright and secure. We recommend you do the packing of plants yourself as you know their individual needs, but we can supply all packing materials including tall boxes, bubble wrap and soft ties.
Can I take my plants in the removal lorry?
Yes for local and regional moves. For very long moves (over 4 hours) or in extreme temperatures, we advise assessing whether plants can survive the journey and may suggest alternatives such as rehoming them locally.
Are there restrictions on moving plants internationally?
Yes. The UK has strict regulations on importing and exporting certain plant species, soil and growing media. Always check the destination country's plant import rules before an international move.
How should I water plants before moving day?
Water normally in the days before the move, but avoid overwatering on the day itself. Soil should be moist but not waterlogged to avoid spillage and root rot during transport.
My Story: Gabby Gomes of Ark Relocation
I’m Gabby Gomes, the heart and soul behind Ark Relocation in Milton Keynes. With over three decades in the moving industry, I’ve steered Ark Relocation to be a trusted name, offering everything from house removals to commercial relocations. We’ve also ventured into European and International removals, ensuring seamless transitions for our clients, whether near or far.
