Moving plants is one of the least discussed but most frustrating aspects of a removal: many die from the stress of being transported, others are held up at customs, and some — particularly in the Canary Islands — are outright prohibited. This guide explains how to transport your plants successfully depending on the type of removal, with a particular focus on the plant health regulations that apply in the Canary Islands.
The Canary Islands and plant health regulations
The Canary Islands have a special phytosanitary status within Spain: their geographical isolation has protected local crops (bananas, tomatoes, vines, papaya) from pests that are present on the mainland. For this reason, the entry of live plants and soil from outside is strictly regulated by the Agriculture Department of the Canarian Government.
Plants that ARE permitted
- Indoor ornamental plants without visible loose soil (wrapped in sealed plastic)
- Cacti and succulents in small pots with controlled growing medium
- Plants with a phytosanitary passport issued at the point of origin
- Factory-sealed dry bulbs
- Seeds in sealed manufacturer's packets
Plants that are PROHIBITED or severely restricted
- Banana plants (Musa spp.) and palm trees (risk of red palm weevil)
- Citrus plants in pots (lemon, orange, mandarin) without a phytosanitary passport
- Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and fruit plants
- Tomato, pepper and potato plants (risk of viruses)
- Plants with visible abundant soil (nematode control)
- Olive trees and related plants (risk of Xylella fastidiosa)
Penalties for non-compliance
Bringing prohibited or undeclared plants to the Canary Islands can result in:
- Detention at customs pending verification
- Immediate destruction if conditions are not met
- A fine of 600 € to 6,000 € depending on the infringement
It is not worth the risk. If you have valuable plants that you cannot take, consider giving them to family members at your origin or selling them on Wallapop.
Before the move: preparing your plants
2 weeks before
- Change the growing medium to a clean, commercially produced one (no garden soil)
- Repot into a lighter plastic pot (heavy terracotta pots break in transit and add significant weight)
- Prune long stems or fragile branches that may snap
- Inspect: discard any plants with pests (scale insects, aphids, fungus)
3–5 days before
- Water well for the last time (not excessively — moist but not waterlogged)
- Do not fertilise (can accelerate metabolism under stress)
- Acclimatise to lower light (some tropical plants suffer from sudden changes)
The day before
- Wrap the pots in sealed plastic up to the base of the stem (prevents growing medium from spilling)
- Label each plant with its name and basic care requirements (light, watering)
How to pack plants according to the transport method
National road removal (same day or a few days)
- One box per plant (do not stack)
- Plastic sheeting under the pot to avoid staining the box
- Reinforce with crumpled newspaper around the stem
- Do NOT seal the box completely (the plant needs some air circulation)
- Clear label: "PLANT – FRAGILE – DO NOT INVERT"
- Ask the crew to load plants LAST and unload them first
Inter-island or Canary Islands removal (5–15 days in a container)
Most plants will not survive 10+ days in a sealed container without light. Realistically, you need to choose:
- Give away / sell your plants at the origin (most advisable for long removals)
- Take with you on the plane (in the cabin, maximum 1–2 small plants, with all phytosanitary permits)
- Only the most resilient ones (cacti, succulents, sansevierias) in the container, with accepted risk
Plants on a plane
Airlines generally allow 1–2 small potted plants as cabin baggage if:
- They fit within the standard size allowance (40×30×20 cm or similar)
- The growing medium is not loose garden soil (commercial peat is preferable)
- They pass security screening (rarely a problem, but an agent may occasionally query it)
- For the Canary Islands: phytosanitary declaration on arrival
Recovery after the move
First 48–72 hours
- Place in a spot with indirect natural light (NOT direct sun immediately)
- Stable temperature, away from draughts
- Do NOT water for the first 2 days (let the growing medium acclimatise)
- Remove the plastic from the pots so the roots can breathe
First week
- Water normally according to the species' requirements
- Watch for signs of stress (drooping, yellowing or browning leaves)
- Mist the leaves with water if dry (ferns, calatheas, tropical species)
- Do not fertilise yet (the roots are still recovering)
First month
Some plants (especially large ones) can take 4–6 weeks to recover from being repotted. Losing some leaves is normal. If the plant is still alive at the root, it will recover.
Plants that cope best with a move
- Cacti and succulents: can go weeks without water or light
- Sansevierias (snake plants): virtually indestructible
- Pothos: very resilient and recover quickly
- ZZ plant (Zamioculcas): survives up to 30 days without watering
- Aglaonemas and dracaenas: fairly resilient
Plants that really struggle in a move
- Ferns (need consistently high humidity)
- Calatheas (extremely sensitive to temperature changes)
- Orchids in flower (will lose their blooms)
- Large tropical plants (Ficus benjamina, tall dracaenas)
- Bonsais (require very specific care)
Frequently asked questions about moving with plants
Can I take my favourite tropical plant to the Canary Islands in the container?
Technically yes, if it is not on the prohibited list, but realistically it will NOT survive 10–15 days without light in a container with fluctuating temperatures. For a move to the Canary Islands, it is better to give the plant away or sell it at the origin and buy a similar one there (nurseries in the Canary Islands have an excellent tropical range).
Do I need a permit to take plants on an inter-island move?
Between Canarian islands there is usually no phytosanitary control because you are already in the same territory. However, note: if you arrived from the mainland with unauthorised plants and then move between islands, you are technically still in breach of the original regulation.
How do I get a phytosanitary passport?
It is issued by a nursery or producer REGISTERED as a professional phytosanitary operator. If you buy the plant from a reputable nursery, they will give you the passport. Plants you have had at home for years do not usually have this passport (it is not something a private individual can obtain).
What about my valuable orchid collection? Is there any solution?
For valuable collections (orchids, bonsais, exotic plants), the only serious option is to contract a specialist phytosanitary transport company (not a standard removal service). Cost is very high and the paperwork complex. Sometimes it is more cost-effective to donate the collection to a collector and start again at the destination.
Does your company transport plants?
For national road removals, yes, with the precautions described above. For removals to the Canary Islands or international removals involving a long crossing, we advise you so you can make the best decision — usually recommending AGAINST transporting live plants, given the low survival rate and the legal risks.
Is there insurance for plants in a removal?
Standard removal liability insurance covers accidental breakage of the container (the pot), but NOT the life of the plant. In other words, if the plant dies from stress during transport, there is no compensation. This is why it makes sense to treat plants as "consumables" in a removal.
Personalised advice
At Horizont Atlantic we will advise you on how to handle the plants in your specific removal, without trying to sell you a service that we know does not work well in practice. If your move is to the Canary Islands and you have plants, the best approach is to get in touch and discuss your particular situation before making decisions that could be irreversible.
