Why plants deserve a bit of planning

Houseplants and garden pot plants are often the last thing anyone thinks about on moving day. They sit quietly on windowsills while you wrestle with boxes, furniture and the kettle, and then suddenly it's 6pm and they're still there, looking slightly wilted. Plants are more fragile than most household items because they can't be bubble-wrapped into oblivion. They need air, light and water, and they hate being tipped on their side in a hot van for four hours.

The good news is that with a little preparation, most plants travel perfectly well. The trick is to treat them like a delicate piece of furniture: water them sensibly, secure the pot, keep them upright and get them to the new place as quickly as you reasonably can. Here's how to do it properly.

Start watering a few days before the move

Water your plants thoroughly two to three days before moving day, not on the morning itself. Damp compost holds the root ball together, which stops it shifting around if the pot gets jostled. Watering on the day is a mistake because sodden compost is heavy, sloshes over your car seats and can encourage rot in a sealed box.

• Indoor plants: give them a good soak in the sink or shower and let them drain completely before returning them to their spot.
• Succulents and cacti: skip the pre-move soak. They cope far better dry and are less likely to rot if they get knocked.
• Large pot plants: water a little less than usual, as a heavy, wet pot is awkward to lift and more likely to crack.
• Recently repotted plants: leave them alone. Fresh roots are easily disturbed, so water sparingly and handle the pot with both hands.

If you're moving in winter, water in the morning so any drips dry off before the cold. If it's midsummer, move plants out of direct sun for a day or two beforehand so they're not already stressed when they travel.

Wrap pots and protect the plant itself

Loose compost is the enemy of a tidy move. Tear a circle of cardboard or use a coffee filter to cover the surface of the compost, then tape it down around the rim. This stops soil spilling out if the pot tilts.

• Small pots: wrap each one in a sheet of newspaper or a soft cloth, then tuck them snugly together in a box with no room to rattle.
• Tall plants: slide a cardboard tube or a rolled magazine around the stems and secure it loosely with string. Loosely is the key word — you want support, not a stranglehold.
• Leafy plants: place a paper bag or a light sleeve over the foliage to stop leaves snagging and snapping.
• Climbing or trailing plants: gently wind the stems around the pot or tie them to a cane so they don't trail across your car boot.
• Terracotta and ceramic pots: these crack easily. Consider sliding the root ball, compost and all, into a plastic pot for the journey, or pad the pot with towels.

Don't seal plants inside plastic bags for long. A couple of hours in a sealed bag on a warm day will cook the leaves and leave you with a soggy, mildewed mess.

Pack them upright in a stable crate

Upright is the single most important rule. A plant laid on its side will bend, snap stems and end up with compost against the leaves, which invites rot.

• Use a sturdy plastic crate, a wooden box or a deep cardboard box with the flaps reinforced with tape.
• Line the base with newspaper or a towel to absorb drips and stop pots sliding.
• Pack smaller pots around larger ones so nothing can shift. Fill gaps with crumpled paper or bubble wrap.
• Keep the heaviest pots in the bottom layer, lighter ones on top, and only stack if the plants are short and robust.
• Label the box "Plants — keep upright" and "this way up" with arrows on every side.

In the van or car, place plant boxes on the floor in the footwell or wedged between soft items like bedding and cushions. Never put them in the boot under heavy boxes, and never on a hot parcel shelf.

Look after them in transit and on arrival

Plants dislike extremes. Keep them out of direct sunlight, away from a blasting heater and away from draughts. On a warm day, crack a window for ventilation rather than blasting the air conditioning, and try not to leave plants sitting in a parked car while you stop for lunch.

If it's a long drive — say a full-day move across the country — plan to arrive within a few hours of packing the plants, or move them in your own car rather than the removals van so you can control the conditions. Hardy outdoor pots can go in the van, but tender houseplants are far better off travelling with you.

At the new home, unpack plants first, before the kettle or the beds. Give them a drink if the compost is dry, remove any wrapping and let them settle in a bright spot out of direct sun for a few days. Expect some leaf drop — it's a normal reaction to a change in light, temperature and humidity. Resist the urge to feed them for a fortnight, and don't repot straight away. Once new growth appears, you'll know they've settled in nicely.

A few final tips for awkward plants

• Very large plants: two people, one pot, always. Consider hiring a plant trolley or using a sack barrow with a padded platform.
• Plants in water: empty the vase, wrap the stems in damp kitchen roll and place them in a sealed food bag.
• Cut flowers: trim the stems, wrap in damp paper and transport in a bucket with a little water, wedged upright.
• Taking cuttings: if a favourite plant is too big to move, take cuttings a few weeks before. They travel in a small box and give you a fresh start in the new place.
• Check the rules: if you're moving across borders within the UK, some plants and soil are restricted, so it's worth a quick check beforehand.

With a bit of care, your plants will arrive looking much the same as they left. Give them a quiet corner, a steady routine and a few weeks of patience, and they'll soon feel at home in their new spot.