Moving cross-country to Florida with houseplants (inspection, agriculture, trailer)

[Girldawg1]

I'm moving from the southwest to Florida, driving, and wanting to bring a few of my fave houseplants, succulents mostly. A couple people told me I can't do that, there's checkpoints. I already asked the dept of agriculture, and it's complicated, costly, inspection, permits, etc. Come on, people must move there with houseplants. Is everyone stopped who has out of state tags?? Anyone had issues or experiences with this? My friend in Florida says don't worry about it, just bring them. I don't need more issues, as I'm feeling anxious over this trip anyway. Please advise.

[FL_Expert]

Technically there’s probably a process for this, but nobody is going to stop you at the border.

Good luck on your move!

[Bette]

There is the Welcome Station when you enter Florida.

I remember driving back and forth from Illinois to Florida a few times and I don't think we were ever checked. Years ago though.

[Ghaati]

Originally Posted by Girldawg1

I'm moving from the southwest to Florida, driving, and wanting to bring a few of my fave houseplants, succulents mostly. A couple people told me I can't do that, there's checkpoints. I already asked the dept of agriculture, and it's complicated, costly, inspection, permits, etc. Come on, people must move there with houseplants. Is everyone stopped who has out of state tags?? Anyone had issues or experiences with this? My friend in Florida says don't worry about it, just bring them. I don't need more issues, as I'm feeling anxious over this trip anyway. Please advise.

https://www.house-plant-hobbyist.com.../michaels-post

There's your advice. There are dozens of other web pages by hobbyists and by the Dept. of Agriculture to explain it, but that's the first one I saw that was in layman's terms.

[Girldawg1]

Not bringing those this trip

[JenaS62]

Just drive. No one is looking for a passenger car with plants it it. We barely have any cops here anyway.

[Girldawg1]

Thank you. I appreciate that Jen and others who say just go for it, which is what I'll do.We need less annoying and invasive government

[kyle19125]

There are inspection stations on I-75 and I-95 a few miles past the state line but they're voluntary and have never seen anything but tractor trailer trucks pull off to be inspected. People in U-Hauls don't even stop and have never seen/nor heard of any highway patrol activity involving vehicles not stopping.

[DanielAvery]

We need less annoying and invasive government

Oh, I agree there....but there are certain invasive species of plants that the state has a responsibility to keep out. Houseplants aren't typically on their lists, but one never knows what someone might innocently (or ignorantly) try to bring in. There is also a small threat of a pest (insect, fungus, etc.) taking a ride into the state on that otherwise-healthy plant. It's an almost zero chance of anything happening, but they pass these laws to cover all the bases.

But I join everyone else in saying you needn't stop for an inspection. The ag stations are only really inspecting shipments of plants and produce on the big rigs, not mom and pop's Boston Ferns and African Violets.

[Girldawg1]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

There are inspection stations on I-75 and I-95 a few miles past the state line ...

Thank you. I think I might be doing a lot of secondary highways and not interstates if possible. I don't like hurry anyway.