Five things to know about transporting plants in the car

You can’t just plonk them in the boot of your car and hope for the best, you know. (Even though we’ve all done this once or twice).

After all, they are living, breathing things that need to be treated with care. That’s why we spoke to Melbourne florist and plant professional Rocky Pepper, who offered us some tips and tricks for keeping your foliage friends healthy and happy when it’s time to transport them. Trust us – your plants are thanking you in advance.

First things first: always prepare your plants for the move by giving them a good drink. Rocky says, “Water your plants ahead of moving day so they stay happy and hydrated during transit. This will also allow your plant to drain properly, which results in a lighter pot and less mess.”

If you’ve already forgotten that tip and realise that you have a troupe of soggy, hefty pots waiting to be loaded into your car, don’t fret: Rocky’s got a solution: “To prevent mess and spills, place your plant in a bucket, or wrap a garbage bag around the pot and tie it at the trunk.”

Like all good things, plants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so where and how you place them in your car is important. Rocky suggests placing larger plants behind the passenger seat so they’ll be protected from potential falls. Lankier plants should always enter head first so they stay intact: “When you’re dealing with the big boys, remember to angle the plant and move it into the car head first. Once it’s in, straighten and place it on its butt.”

If you own a baby car seat, and your child isn’t in the car with you, utilise it – apparently it’s the perfect spot for delicate plants like orchids: “The structure and recline keeps them relatively still and supported without getting squished by other items.”

To prevent a potential accident or injury (and the subsequent heartbreak), you need to secure your plants before you hit the road. Rocky suggests creating a pot buffer that will stop pots touching and soften any road bumps. To do this, wedge towels or blankets between the pots and secure your load by placing weighty boxes on either side.

If you own a trailing plant like a devil’s ivy, you will know that they’re sensitive souls that don’t like their vines being touched or moved. To minimise handling and protect them from tangles, Rocky suggests wrapping a large piece of paper around the base of the pot, and winding it around until vines are contained and supported.

If your plants are going to be inside your car for an extended period, put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself if you’d be comfortable. If you’re driving for more than an hour, it’s best not to place plants in direct sunlight. If it’s a warm day, block out the sun entirely by hanging a sheet in front of the window. This also helps make sure that no leaves touch the glass and burn themselves.”

Unpacking your plants should be the first thing you do when you arrive at your destination. Plants are sensitive and react quickly to changing climates and conditions. So leaving them in a warm car while you unpack your coffee mugs will mostly likely result in a sad, wilting plant.

Once inside, pop them outside in a shady spot and give them a generous water. When it’s time for them to settle into their new home, think about what they need and what will make them happy – not just how good they look in a particular spot. “Light and air quality are the main things to think about here,” says Rocky. “If you struggle to keep ferns alive, hang them in the bathroom. They love the humidity from showers.”

Moving a cactus can be challenging, not to mention painful. But we’ve got a prickle-free tip courtesy of Rocky: “Use a tube of cardboard to create a prickle guard. Place at the base of the plant and secure with tape.” Genius.

If you’d like to know more about Rocky’s plant and flower services, follow her on Instagram

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