How to move plants without killing them?

Moving house is often a time for sorting out. But there's no question of bequeathing your Alligator fern to the next occupant, or giving it to your neighbor. It's going with you, along with the rest of your collection. Wondering how to pack and transport it? Here are our tips for moving your plants in the best possible conditions.

Moving house is an ordeal for your plants. They'll cope better with transport and the change of environment if they're in tip-top shape. In the weeks leading up to the move, stick closely to your maintenance routine. Are you overloaded with boxes and afraid of forgetting to water them? Download the Monstera app! We'll send you a message to remind you to water and fertilize your plants.

Between booking the truck and cancelling your internet box, take the time to search for and treat pests. A plant infested with thrips, mealybugs or red spiders is weakened. It will be harder for it to survive the move. What's more, you'll have to group your plants together to move them. The sick plant risks contaminating the others during transport and storage.

Take advantage of the move to prune. Remove dead leaves and stems, and shorten branches that are too long, especially if they are balding. Your plants will be easier to pack and less likely to break in transit. Once they've settled into their new home, they'll start growing again. If you notice any brittle stems, stake them for support. That way, they won't get damaged in transit.

Got cuttings in the water? Now's the time to repot them! A plant is always easier to transport in a pot than in a glass.

Finally, stop watering your plants 24 to 48 hours before moving them. This will give the soil time to drain. A damp substrate is heavier. It can also give off water, wetting your boxes and cartons.

Start by removing planters, saucers and ollas. If they're made of clay or a fragile material, pack them separately. Then empty the water from the water reserve trays.

Wait until the last moment to pack your plants, especially if you're packing them in cardboard. Lack of light can be fatal. The less they're cooped up, the better they'll do.

You can buy cardboard boxes designed to deliver bouquets of flowers in vases. They can also be used to pack potted plants. Unfortunately, they are rather expensive and are often only sold to professionals. Cartons for glasses and wine bottles are a cheaper alternative. You can also ask your favorite garden center to give you the plastic pallets on which the plants are delivered. You can use them as supports. Last but not least, if you're moving house at Christmas time, take a look around your local decorating store. The cardboard boxes in which the individual baubles are packaged are ideal for holding small pots.

Small and medium-sized houseplants can be packed in plastic or wooden crates. Choose a box whose height matches that of your plants. You can pack several pots into the same container. Tightly packed together, they'll be less likely to shift or tip over during the move. Add bubble or kraft paper to cushion them. It's best to leave the crate open to allow the plants to breathe. If you're using the lid, don't close it completely, or pierce it to allow air to circulate.

For shrubs and large plants, it's best to use individual packaging. Plastic pots don't need to be protected for moving. Terracotta containers, however, should be covered with newspaper to protect them from impact. You should also cover the stem and branches of your plant to prevent them breaking in the event of impact. Use newspaper or winter fleece. If you opt for the former, cut holes in the paper to allow the plant to breathe.

Another option: place your plant in a large cardboard box. Mark the top and bottom so that your Monstera variegata doesn't end up upside down. Also write Fragile/Plants on the box. Movers and friends will then be more attentive during transport.

Do you have a cactus collection? The first rule is to pack them alone, so they don't hurt the other plants. You can put them in a cardboard box or cover them with a paper bag, or even a towel. In any case, make sure the protection is thick enough to prevent thorns from penetrating. Clearly mark containers so that movers can take care.

Hanging plants can be difficult to fit into a box or bag. It's generally advisable to wrap the stems spirally in the pot so that they don't hang down and get damaged in transit. As with upright plants, place several pots in the same box to support them.

When it comes to plants and moving, you're never better served than by yourself. If you're driving to your new home, take your plants with you. Put your Alocasia 'Polly in the dead man's seat and fasten its seatbelt. You can also ask your passenger to hold your Kentia on his lap during the journey. He'll think you've gone berserk, but at least your plants will be safe.

When you take a break, think of your little protégés waiting for you in the trunk or back seat. Don't park in direct sunlight in midsummer, and don't leave your plants in an unheated vehicle for too long in cold winter weather.

Travelling to your new home by train or plane? Then you'll have to leave your jungle to the movers. Pay particular attention to the labeling of cartons and boxes. Indicate the room where they are to be delivered, the direction (top/bottom) and the words Fragile/Plants. Professionals are used to dealing with plants. However, you're never safe from a mishap. The bad news is that in the event of breakage or loss, plants are not covered by insurance.

Unpack your plants as soon as you arrive. Don't forget them in the truck, in the trunk of your car, in a box or a carton, even indoors, for too long.

As a first step, you can put all your plants in the same room, provided it has a window and is heated. This gives you time to move the rest of your belongings, set up your furniture and think about the final location of each one.

Once you've got your bearings, you can assign each plant its place, respecting the recommended exposure for each variety. Then resume your maintenance routine. With regular care, your plants will adapt easily and continue to grow rapidly, especially if you're moving in spring or summer.

The only exception: Ficus. These species hate change. They're likely to lose their leaves in the first few days, and it will take them a little longer than other houseplants to flourish again after a move.

Have you spent years growing your Japanese maple and don't want to part with it? Are you already imagining your Remarkable Bougainvillea blooming on your new terrace? Take them with you! It's perfectly possible to move your outdoor plants, provided you go to a little trouble.

For potted and tub plants, the technique is the same as for indoor plants: they need to be well secured and protected from bumps and road hazards. Stop watering plants 48 hours before moving, to limit the risk of flooding in your boxes.

But you can also move plants planted in the ground. To do this, you'll need to dig them up, without damaging their roots. Once your Oleander is out of the ground, you have two options. The first is to replant it in a pot for the duration of the journey. Choose a large enough container and fill it with your garden soil. Plant your shrub. Transport it as you would a potted plant. When you arrive, replant it in your new garden, in a sunny spot sheltered from the wind.

You don't have to repot a plant to move and transport it. Once you've dug up your plant, wrap the root ball and roots in wintering cloth or fabric. You can spray the soil with a little water to keep it moist. Then wrap your specimen in a cardboard box or crate, as you would for houseplants. As soon as you arrive, replant it in your garden. Your plant won't survive very long with bare roots.