Assess the pot and saucer separately
Check that the pot is stable and undamaged. Remove loose decorations that could hit leaves or stems during the journey. Secure a loose saucer separately so it cannot fall away when lifted. Carry the plant by a suitable part of its container, not by leaves or shoots.
Water according to the plant's usual needs and the actual conditions. An automatic extra watering immediately before departure is not appropriate for every species. Avoid standing water that could spill from an outer pot. Unnecessary treatment should not turn the soil into a new transport problem.
Support the container against tipping
Small pots can travel in a suitable open crate with separate positions. Cushion between pots without squeezing the plants together. Keep the centre of gravity as low as practicable. Tall specimens may need an individual arrangement rather than being forced diagonally into a box that is too short.
Protect delicate leaves with a suitable loose covering only where that makes sense for the plant. Do not put tape on leaf surfaces. Closed packaging can change light, airflow and temperature, so keep the wrapping period brief and account for the needs of the species.
Avoid unnecessary waiting during the journey
Load plants where other belongings cannot squash them. Do not leave them for long periods in a parked vehicle, particularly when temperatures vary substantially. Professional help may be a better choice for very large, valuable or particularly delicate specimens.
At the destination, remove transport packaging promptly and check pots and stems. Initially place each plant somewhere quiet and suitable for its needs. Position moving boxes so people passing through cannot catch on the leaves.
