Moving or rearranging your plants — whether across the office or across town — doesn’t have to be stressful. With a bit of planning and care, you can make sure your greenery arrives in perfect condition. Here are 10 practical tips for safe plant transport, straight from our Greenday team in Cyprus.
1. Stop Watering a Few Days Before
Avoid watering your plants for 2–3 days before the move. This helps reduce the weight of pots and prevents soil from spilling during transport. Slightly drier soil is also less messy if the pot tilts.
2. Choose the Right Vehicle – Plants Needs Space!
Use a vehicle with enough room and stable flooring, like a van or a car with foldable back seats. Avoid squeezing plants between furniture or boxes — their leaves and stems are delicate.
If you’re moving many or larger plants, it might be worth renting a bigger vehicle for a few hours or a day. A van allows you to transport all your greenery safely in one go, rather than making several trips in a small car and risking broken branches or damaged pots.
Before you start loading, protect your car’s interior. Lay down cardboard, foil, or old blankets to keep the floor and seats clean from soil, leaves, or moisture. It’ll save you some cleaning time later — and keep your vehicle in good shape.
3. Wrap Plants for Protection
Wrap your plants gently using bubble wrap, paper, or stretch film to protect them from drafts, temperature changes, and bumps. Just don’t cover the leaves too tightly — they still need to breathe!
4. Secure Pots to Prevent Tipping
Use cardboard boxes or crates to keep pots upright. You can fill gaps with soft paper, towels, or fabric to stop them from sliding around.
5. Use a Platform Trolley for Heavy Plants
If you’re moving large planters, a flat platform trolley is a lifesaver. You won’t have to tilt or lift pots too much, which helps prevent soil spillage and root damage.
6. Protect Leaves and Stems
For tall or bushy plants, loosely tie the stems together with soft string or twine. This will prevent branches from breaking during movement.
7. Don’t Leave Plants in a Hot Car
Avoid leaving plants in the car for too long — especially under the hot Cyprus sun. Even a short time in a closed vehicle can cause heat stress and lead to leaf burn or dehydration.
To make the process smoother, plan your move carefully. Prepare the car in advance — fold down the seats, clear the trunk, and make sure there’s enough flat space for the plants to stand securely. It’s also a good idea to have the destination spot ready before you start transporting. When everything is well-organized, the entire operation goes quickly and efficiently, minimizing stress for both you and your plants.
8. Clean Up as You Go
Transporting plants can get messy — soil and leaves often find their way onto the floor. Keep a broom and dustpan handy to tidy up quickly after loading or unloading.
9. Let Plants Rest After the Move
Once your plants reach their new home, give them time to adapt to the new environment. Don’t rush to water or replant them immediately; wait a day or two to reduce stress.
Just like people, plants can experience stress after a move. Changes in light, temperature, or humidity can cause them to react — sometimes by dropping a few leaves or looking a bit wilted. Don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal. Usually, all they need is a little time to get used to the new surroundings. Once they adjust, new leaves will start to appear, and your plants will regain their healthy, vibrant look.
10. Consider Professional Help
If you’re moving a large number of plants — especially big office planters — consider using a plant delivery service like Greenday. We handle the packing, transport, and setup safely, so your greenery stays fresh and beautiful throughout the process.
Whether you’re relocating your office or just refreshing your space, careful plant transport makes all the difference. With the right preparation (and a bit of patience), your plants will thank you with lush, healthy growth once they’ve settled in.