Are you thinking of moving your potted plants around? Consider the time of year, how much light and air they need, and the right kind of materials to pack them with, for maximum success. Read on for more tips on how to move your plants without causing them too much stress!
Protecting Your Plants When Moving
When packing plant pots for moving, the best way to ensure their safety is to place them in a box. Regular moving boxes, such as dish packs, are available from your Atlas mover and can be used to fit the bottom of the pot. To keep the pot secure during transport, it is important to pack paper around its base in the box.
Taking care of the basic needs of your plants is also essential when relocating them. Make sure that they get enough sunlight, heat, water and air. If the plant requires a lot of light, it should not be placed in an area too dark.
If the plant needs to be supported, you can use a piece of heavy-gauge wire, such as a wire coat hanger, bent into a loop with the ends embedded in the container’s potting mix. Green vinyl-coated wire is available in garden centers and online retailers.
How to Safely Pack a Plant in a Suitcase
In some cases, it may be necessary to pack a plant in a suitcase. This can be done, but requires extra care to ensure that the plant does not get damaged during transport. When packing a plant in a suitcase, make sure to put it in a plastic bag first and then surround it with soft clothes or towels for extra protection. If the plant is small enough, you can also place it under your front seat as an additional personal item. Finally, make sure that your bag is closed securely and properly cushioned before traveling with your plants inside.
When transplanting large plants, it is important to dig the plant up with its root ball intact. As a general rule of thumb, for every inch of trunk diameter you need at least 10 to 12 inches of root ball diameter. Doing this will ensure that as much of the plant’s root system as possible is preserved and available for a successful transplant.
Ensuring Plant Stability During Transportation
In some cases, it may be beneficial to put a plastic bag over a plant before transporting it. Placing the plant inside a sealed bag will keep the humidity level at essentially 100%, meaning that your plant can survive for months without any water. This is because most of the water you normally apply to your plants is lost to transpiration and evaporation in an open atmosphere. To use this method properly, make sure that there are no holes in the plastic bag and that it is securely closed before transporting your plants.
Aside from the plastic bag technique, there are other ways to ensure that your plants stay in place. For example, roots are essential for anchoring plants and absorbing the nutrients and water they need. Stems also help to provide support for the upper part of a plant while transporting nutrients, water, sugar and starch throughout its body.

Lastly, carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis and enters through small holes in a plant’s leaves, flowers, branches, stems and roots.
Preventing Transplant Shock in Plants

When transplanting plants, it is important to consider the potential for transplant shock. Transplant shock occurs when a plant’s root system is disturbed during the process of being transplanted from one place to another. This can cause stunted growth, wilting and leaf yellowing as the plant struggles to adjust. To help reduce or prevent this type of shock, it is important to use a sugar and water solution at the time of transplant. This solution helps to replace nutrients that are lost during transplantation and can help speed up recovery from transplant shock.