Moving to a new home in Montreal can be an exciting journey, but when it comes to transporting your beloved houseplants, it’s important to proceed with care. Plants are living, delicate companions that can be easily stressed during a move. To help, Flex Déménagement has put together this ultimate guide to ensure your houseplants arrive happy, healthy, and ready to thrive in their new space.
Why Houseplants Need Special Attention
Houseplants are more than just decor—they’re living organisms that are sensitive to changes in temperature, light, and movement. Just like fragile furniture or antiques, they require special preparation to survive a move. Proper care during the packing, transport, and unpacking phases will ensure your plants settle comfortably into their new home.
Preparing Your Houseplants Before Moving Day
Good preparation is key to making the move stress-free for your plants. Follow these steps in the weeks leading up to your move:
1. Re-pot into Plastic Containers Three weeks before moving day, carefully transfer your plants from heavy or fragile clay pots into lightweight, shatter-proof plastic pots. This not only prevents breakage but also makes the plants easier to transport.
2. Prune and Inspect About two weeks before your move, give your plants a gentle prune by removing dead leaves, stems, or flowers. Avoid pruning succulents or ferns as it can stress them out. Take this time to inspect for pests like spider mites or mealybugs. If you find any, treat your plants with insecticidal soap to avoid bringing pests to your new home.
3. Water Wisely Water your plants two days before the move. Too much water can lead to freezing in cold weather or fungal growth in warm weather. Keep the soil lightly moist, but not soaking.
4. Gather Supplies Make sure you have everything you need to pack your plants safely:
- Old bedsheets or tissue paper
- Sturdy boxes (like dish packs)
- Bubble wrap for cacti and succulents
- Newspaper or packing paper for cushioning
- String or plastic bags for taller plants
How to Pack Your Plants for the Move
When moving day arrives, your plants should be one of the last items packed to minimize stress and maximize care. Here’s how to pack them effectively:
1. Wrap Large Plants Wrap tall or leafy plants loosely with old bedsheets or tissue paper to prevent branches or leaves from snapping during transit.
2. Use Boxes for Stability Place each potted plant in a sturdy moving box, ensuring the pot fits snugly at the bottom. Add crumpled newspaper or packing paper around the base to hold the pot securely in place. For boxes with lids, punch a few air holes for ventilation.
3. Protect Delicate Plants Bubble wrap is your best friend for prickly cacti, succulents, or plants with fragile leaves. Wrap them carefully to prevent damage to both the plant and nearby companions.
4. Secure Tall Plants For large plants, position them upright on the car floor or seat. Protect the base with a plastic bag or drip tray to prevent soil spills. Use soft items like pillows or blankets around the pots to stabilize them.
5. Keep the Car Comfortable Avoid exposing your plants to extreme temperatures. During Montreal’s winter months, wrap plants in newspaper and load them from a warm garage if possible. Keep the car temperature at a steady, comfortable level throughout the drive.
Moving Long Distances with Plants
If you’re traveling long distances, treat your plants like pets:
- Avoid leaving them in a parked car for extended periods.
- Allow for airflow by slightly opening car windows.
- Provide water when necessary but avoid overwatering.
- If staying overnight, bring plants indoors to maintain temperature consistency.
Helping Your Plants Settle Into Their New Home
Once you arrive at your new home, unpack your plants as soon as possible. Follow these tips to help them adjust:
1. Unpack Gently Remove plants from their boxes carefully, ideally from the bottom, to avoid damaging leaves and branches.
2. Find Their New Spot Place your plants in a spot with similar lighting conditions to their previous home. Avoid moving them around too much until they’ve acclimated.
3. Rehydrate and Nourish Give your plants a small drink of water to help them recover from the move. If you transferred them to plastic pots, wait about a week before repotting into their original planters to avoid additional stress.
4. Be Patient It’s normal for plants to show signs of stress, such as drooping or yellowing leaves, after a move. With consistent care and attention, they will likely bounce back within a few weeks.
What to Do If You Can’t Take Your Plants
Sometimes, regulations or long-distance logistics make it impossible to bring all your plants with you. In that case, consider gifting them to friends, family, or local plant enthusiasts. Alternatively, hold a plant sale to give them new homes and use the proceeds to buy new plants once you’ve settled in.
Ready for Your Move? Contact Flex Déménagement!
At Flex Déménagement, we understand that your plants are part of your family. While many movers won’t transport plants due to their delicate nature, our team is here to help you plan every detail of your move to ensure nothing gets overlooked. Whether you’re relocating across Montreal or to a nearby city, we’ll work with you to make your move as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Get a quote today and let Montreal’s trusted movers, Flex Déménagement, help you start your new chapter with ease!