Plants are living cargo. They do not like heat, cold or being closed in a box for days, and most people prefer to carry them in the family car. Some states inspect incoming plants and produce for pests, and moving a plant from one climate to another can be a shock. This guide covers the paperwork, the packing and the first weeks in a high-desert home.
Check the rules at both ends
States protect their crops from pests, and plant rules vary. California runs border inspection stations that check vehicles for plants, fruit and vegetables, and its Department of Food and Agriculture publishes the details. The Nevada Department of Agriculture covers Nevada. Federal plant rules apply to shipments from Hawaii and from other countries.
Citrus and some other plants are restricted in some places. If a plant is rare or a gift, look up its rules before the move, not at the inspection station.
Prepare the plants two weeks ahead
- Prune dead growth and check for insects, so the plant arrives clean.
- Leave plants in their plastic nursery pots for the trip, because they are lighter and easier to pack than ceramic.
- Water a day or two before the move, not on the day, so the soil is damp but not heavy.
- Wrap tall plants loosely in paper and set them in boxes or bins that keep them from tipping.
- Hold cuttings in damp paper towels inside a bag.
Ride in the car
A plant is safest in the passenger compartment of your car, out of direct sun and away from the heater or air conditioner vent. A closed trunk or a moving truck can become hot or cold enough to kill a plant in a day. If the move takes longer than a day or two, open the box overnight and let the plants breathe in a room.
Speak with your estimator about the plants you plan to bring and how they will be handled. What movers will not move explains why most carriers ask you to take living things with you.
A new climate in Reno
Reno sits near 4,500 feet. The air is dry and the sunlight is strong, so plants that grew indoors in a humid coastal home can lose leaves in the first weeks. Place them a little back from the brightest window, mist or group them for humidity, and water on a schedule based on the soil, not the calendar. Expect some leaf drop and some recovery.
Outdoor plants face winter nights that can drop below freezing. Choose plants that are rated for the local zone, and check with a local nursery for plants that thrive in northern Nevada.
Large and valuable plants
A big tree in a heavy pot is hard to move and may not be worth it. A cutting or a seedling is cheaper to replace and often adapts better. Photograph prized plants, record their names, and ask a local nursery about taking cuttings.