How to Move Houseplants Safely in Montreal

Preparing Your Plants Before the Move

Start prepping your plants 2–3 weeks before moving day. Prune any dead leaves and overgrown branches to make plants more compact and easier to transport. This is also a good time to check for pests — you don't want to bring spider mites or aphids into your new Montreal apartment.

Water your plants 2–3 days before the move, not the day of. You want the soil to be moist but not dripping — soggy pots are heavy, messy, and more likely to develop mould in transit. For large plants in heavy ceramic pots, consider temporarily repotting into lightweight plastic pots for the move.

If you have plants that are too large or too many to manage, this is a great time to propagate cuttings and gift plants to friends or neighbours. The Montreal plant community is incredibly active — groups like Montreal Plant Exchange on Facebook are always looking for new additions.

Transporting Plants Safely

Plants should ideally travel in your personal vehicle, not the moving truck. Trucks get too hot in summer and too cold in winter, and plants can be crushed by shifting furniture. Place plants in boxes with the tops open, and use crumpled newspaper or packing paper around the base to prevent tipping.

For small pots, a cardboard box with dividers (like a beer case from the SAQ or a wine box) works perfectly as a plant carrier. Tall plants can ride upright in the footwell of your back seat.

In winter — and Montreal winters are serious — wrap plants in plastic bags or newspaper for the walk from your door to the car. Even 30 seconds of exposure to -20°C air can cause frostbite on tropical plant leaves. Pre-heat your car and minimize the time plants spend outside.

Winter vs. Summer Plant Moves in Montreal

Summer moves are easier on plants, but direct sunlight in a hot car can scorch leaves. Avoid leaving plants in a parked car for more than 30 minutes on a hot day. If your move is happening during a July heatwave, transport plants in the early morning when temperatures are cooler.

Winter moves require more caution. Most common houseplants — monsteras, pothos, ficus, snake plants — are tropical and cannot survive freezing temperatures. If your move is in January or February, coordinate with your movers to minimize the time your front door is open. At Up & Out, we work efficiently to keep doors closed between trips, which helps protect both plants and heating bills.

Re-Acclimating Plants After the Move

Plants are creatures of habit. Your new apartment will have different light levels, humidity, and temperature than your old one. A plant that thrived in a south-facing Plateau window may struggle in a north-facing NDG apartment. Give them time to adjust — some leaf drop is normal.

Place plants in their new spots and leave them alone for at least a week. Resist the urge to repot, fertilize, or drastically change their care routine right after a move. Let them settle. Water on your usual schedule and watch for signs of stress.

Montreal's dry winter air (thanks to central heating) is tough on tropical plants. Consider a humidifier or pebble trays to boost humidity around your plant collection, especially if your new place has baseboard heating, which tends to dry out the air more than forced-air systems.