You can take a potted plant on a plane, but you will need to follow the flight regulations. It’ll be easier to carry the plant on a domestic flight than an international one. Because you’ll need to fill out a permit and have the plant inspected by customs.
Can I bring a plant on a plane?
The TSA allows plants in both carry-on and checked bags. You should know, however, that the TSA officers on duty can deny anything and will have the final say on what you can carry when you go through security.
Can I bring a plant through TSA security?
TSA agents have seen it all at this point, so they probably won’t even raise their eyebrows at the sight of a passenger coming through security carrying a plant. The TSA allows passengers to transport plants either as carry-on items or in checked bags.
Do plants count as carry-on luggage?
Plants must fit either in the overhead compartment or under the seat. Check the airline’s size guidelines for carry-on luggage. A plant that exceeds that size won’t fit in the overhead compartment. Plants count toward your personal baggage allowance.
Can I bring planted plants to the USA?
Plants have to be bare-rooted and pest-free, which means they’re stripped from any soil and transported in a towel or a damp newspaper. In the U.S., you’re allowed to bring 12 or fewer articles of allowed plants without a permit.
Can I take a potted plant through TSA?
The TSA allows passengers to transport plants either as carry-on items or in checked bags. Like the rest of your belongings, plants will need to undergo security screening. Plan to send them down the X-ray conveyor belt with the rest of your carry-on luggage.
How do you pack plants for a flight?
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Can I take succulents on a plane?
You can bring succulents like cacti on the plane. You might find that they are easier to pack in your carry-on luggage than other plants. Your personal item is the best place to pack a small cactus. Remember to check the rules about importing plants if you are traveling across borders.
Can I bring cactus on a plane?
Small plants and cacti are allowed through the security checkpoint in your carry-on bag. Safe travels!
Where do plants need to be on a plane?
In general, if you are carrying plants on a plane, they will need to fit in the overhead compartment or in the space under the seat in front of you. Bringing plants on a plane becomes more complicated with foreign travel or when flying to Hawaii.
How to safely travel with a plant?
Another way to neatly and safely travel with a plant is to remove the soil and bare the roots. Rinse all the dirt from the roots first. Then, with the roots still moist, tie a plastic bag around them. Wrap the foliage in newspaper and secure it with tape to protect leaves and branches. Most plants can survive hours to days like this.
How to keep a plant healthy while traveling?
For a plant carry on, try securing it in a garbage bag with a few holes punched in the top. This should prevent a mess by containing any loose soil.
Can TSA officers deny anything?
You should know , however, that the TSA officers on duty can deny anything and will have the final say on what you can carry when you go through security. Airlines also set their own rules as to what is or isn’t allowed on planes.
Can I Take Plants on an Airplane?
Yes, you can bring plants on an airplane, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the U.S. The TSA allows plants in both carry-on and checked bags. You should know, however, that the TSA officers on duty can deny anything and will have the final say on what you can carry when you go through security.
Can you take plants on a plane?
The TSA allows passengers to transport plants either as carry-on items or in checked bags. Like the rest of your belongings, plants will need to undergo security screening. Plan to send them down the X-ray conveyor belt with the rest of your carry-on luggage.
Can you bring fresh flowers through TSA?
The TSA does allow fresh cut flowers through security checkpoints, as noted in their My TSA app: You can bring fresh flowers through the checkpoint, but not in a container filled with water. We suggest wrapping the stems in damp paper towels and plastic wrap or foil to keep them hydrated while you travel.
Are Houseplants and Flowers Allowed on Flight?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows house plants and flowers on airplanes. When traveling with a bouquet, be sure to remove any pins or other securing items that might be dangerous.
Do The Paperwork First Before Bring Plants Onboard
Be sure to check the size guidelines of the carrier before bringing any plants aboard. In the U.S., it is illegal to bring live plants or seeds without proper paperwork, so make sure yours will fit in the overhead compartment.
The Size and Weight of Plants Matter
There are some limitations to the size and weight of plants that can be carried onboard a plane.
How to Pack Plants for a Flight
When transporting your plants, you need to know how to pack them for air travel. Plants should be trimmed with long branches and dead leaves before packing them.
Water Your Plants Before the Flight
It’s also a good idea to water your plants before traveling. This will keep them fresh throughout the flight, but don’t overwater them. Too much water can cause root rot and will cause a problem with airlines.
Keep the Soil Dry
Before packing your plants, make sure the soil is dry. If you’re traveling on a long plane, you may need to cut your plants to fit them in your checked luggage.
How long before you can fly to another country with plant life?
Contact the country’s department of agriculture at least a month (or ideally a few months) before traveling, as they may require a permit.
How to care for a plant while on vacation?
Deadhead and trim the plant before you leave. Pinch off withered blooms and snip of any dead stems or leaves with small shears. Remove fallen plant matter from the soil in the pot and dispose of it. Dead or dying vegetation on the plants is more likely to harbor disease that can afflict the plants while you are on vacation. But while pruning before you leave is beneficial, it's best to fertilize plants only after you return. Fertilizing before you leave can lead to plant growth, which causes the plants to require more care and watering.
How to pack a plant in a plastic bag?
Take care to pack the plant in a way that will keep soil, water and plant matter contained. The easiest method is to place the entire plant inside a plastic garbage bag. Let some air into the bag and tie it closed.
How to get rid of sun on plants?
Move both indoor and outdoor plants out of direct sunlight. Place them in an area that is brightly lit but does not receive direct sun, since sunlight dries the soil quickly. A shaded area sheltered from winds or indoor air vents is usually best, but be sure to take into account the specific sunlight needs of different types of plants.
What to do with a plastic food container?
Collapsible plastic food containers are perfectly suited for this purpose. Fill them with fresh fruits or vegetables and toss them in your carry-on. They’ll protect the food from bruising and crushing, and, once the food is gone, they collapse down to take up limited suitcase space.
How many carry-ons are allowed on a coach?
Coach passengers are typically allowed one carry-on suitcase and one personal item. Depending on the size of the plant, flight attendants and gate agents may decide to let it take the place of a carry-on bag.
What to eat on a flight when you are tired?
When you’re tired, cranky and stuck in the middle seat, something as small as a delicious apple has the power to turn your mood around. Eating fruits or vegetables during a flight is a simple way to keep your energy up and resist the temptation to gorge on unhealthy airport food.
TSA Plants Rules
If you are flying on a domestic flight you can relax. The Transportation Security Administration doesn’t have a problem with you bringing plants on a plane.
Check Your Airline Luggage Allowance
Full-service airlines usually allow you to bring two pieces of luggage, one personal item, and one carry-on bag.
Check Your Destination Country Or Zone
If you are flying internationally you should check that you are permitted to bring plants into the country.
How To Prepare & Pack A Houseplant For Flying
This video has lots of great tips about how to pack plants to protect them.
The Bottom Line
You can bring plants on a plane in carry-on luggage or checked luggage.
How big is a potted plant for a plane?
Make sure that your plant, together with the pot, fits the airline size requirements for hand luggage. Most commonly, it’s 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
How to protect a plant from a flight?
If the flight is short, it’s best to water your plant the last night. Cover the soil in the pot with a few newspapers to avoid having the solid spill out and creating a mess. For additional protection, you can wrap the pot in a small plastic bag. To protect the visible part of the plant, wrap it fully in a newspaper.
How to keep a plant moisturized on a plane?
Wrap the whole plant in a newspaper to keep it moisturized and to protect it during your flight.
What are the restrictions on plants?
Some plants have additional restrictions: Permits, post-entry quarantines, ESA or CITES documentation, and other treatments.
How to pass a plant in a car?
Place your plant in a plastic bag, and you’re good to go. If it’s small enough, you may be allowed to pass it as a personal item and place it under your front seat.
How to get rid of a plant in a suitcase?
You will save some space in your suitcase, and there will be fewer plant parts to damage. Take your plant out of its pot, and try to get rid of the soil manually. Get rid of as much of the soil as possible but be careful not to damage the plant. Use a bowl full of water to wash off all the excess soil from the roots.
Why do plants need to be bare root?
That’s because they can’t predict what pests and insects lie in the soil. There could potentially be hidden infectious pests inside, which could be catastrophic for the environment.
Can You Bring Plants on A plane?
Different Types of Plants
- Bringing a fresh cut flower or arrangement through airport security is pretty straightforward but a lot of people have questions about other types of plants like cacti and dried plants. So we supplied some additional info to help you navigate those sometimes *prickly* situations.
Agricultural Restrictions
- Not every state will allow you to simply bring in plants without some type of inspection or declaration. To make sure that you are not violating the law and bringing in plants to another state, check the national plant boardand/or check with the appropriate department of that state. For example, if you have questions about bringing plants into California then you may want to co…
Travel to Hawaii
- Hawaii will allow you to bring different plants into the statebut there are some conditions. First, you will need to declare your plants on the “Plants and Animals Declaration Form,” which you should receive on your flight. The plants will then need to be inspected at the Agricultural Inspection Counter located near the exits in the baggage claim area. All plant material must be f…
International Travel
- The requirements may differ based on whether you are traveling from the US to an international destination or traveling into the US. I’ll cover instructions for each scenario below.
Final Word
- Taking your plants on a plane is relativelystraightforward when you are traveling around the US. But if you are heading to certain destinations like Hawaii or traveling internationally, the stakes get much higher. The keys are to make sure that you comply with TSA and airline rules, pack properly, and that you always prioritize agricultural regulations.