1. Research:
Before you start packing up your plants for the big move, make sure you
call storage units near ensure that plants are allowed if so, check for
availability on climate-controlled storage units since that is the kind of unit
you will need for your plants to survive this short-term adjustment. A storage
unit without these capabilities will have you coming back to a unit full of
brown leaves and droopy plants. Make sure the species will survive the change.
Plants that can tolerate low levels of sunlight are the best fit for this
situation, such as philodendrons, dracaena, Chinese evergreens, pothos, and
snake plants. If you have plants that need lots of sunlight, look for storage
units that offer electricity to plug in some grow lights for a less drastic
adjustment.
2. Watering
This may sound a tad nonsensical BUT hear me out, you
should go without watering your plants for a day or two to allow for them to
dry out a little bit. If you absolutely need to water your plants do it 2 to 3
days prior to moving them into a storage unit, this will save your plants from
mold, mildew, or fungal infection that can kill your plants in a matter of days;
it can quickly spread to other plants, and items that you stored with your
plants. Drainage is extremely important for your plant. Ideally, a pot should
have a hole in the bottom so that excess water can drain out of the soil and
collect in a tray underneath the pot. If there is no such hole, all the extra
water is trapped in the soil. Often, this is more water than the plant can
successfully absorb, and this will result in a plant “drowning.”
3. Packing:
Start with repotting your plants into plastic pots, do this ahead of time
for your plants to adjust to its new pot. Pack fragile empty clay and ceramic
pots by filling them in with packing paper as well as wrapping the pots with
additional packing paper, finally bubble wrap those babies. This will keep all
your fancy, collectible one-of-a-kind pots that are irreplaceable. Using a
Ziplock bag or a plastic bag, place it under the bottom of the pot and pull the
bag up to the top of the pit and tie it, this will secure in the soil avoiding
a mess if your plants tip over. Finally place them inside boxes and stuff any
empty spaces with packaging paper to make sure nothing shifts, place in vehicle
and you are good to go!