Can I Bring My Plants?

Moving to Colorado

Can I bring my plants into Colorado?

Colorado asks for an inspection certificate on nursery stock and anything potted or rooted in soil, with a Japanese beetle treatment on top from much of the country. Houseplants, fruit trees and hay are fine, and out-of-state firewood from a pest area isn't.

  • Checked Sep 2026
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What Colorado asks for

4 of these change depending on where you're leaving. Pick a state to see which.

Plant by plant

Houseplants (no outdoor soil)

Fine

Houseplants you own and grew indoors can come in without the Japanese beetle certificate other plants need.

Source & details
Notwithstanding the requirements of Part 5, the Department may allow privately owned house plants obviously grown, or certified at the place of origin as having been grown indoors without exposure to Japanese beetle to be brought into this state without meeting the requirements of Part 5.

Summaries of Exterior Quarantines, Colorado Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Houseplants in every state

Potted plants in soil

Conditional

  • Certificate

Plants rooted in soil can carry Japanese beetle, so they need certifying under the Japanese beetle plan before they come in. Mix that arrives commercially packaged is the exception.

You'd need: Certificate showing it meets the Japanese beetle plan

Because of: Japanese beetle.

Source & details

Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving

Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)

Witchweed (7 CFR 301.80): Witchweed is regulated in a handful of Carolina counties, not the whole of either state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of the Carolinas, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of North Carolina, South Carolina. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart O: Witchweed (eCFR)

Golden nematode (7 CFR 301.85): Golden nematode is regulated in parts of a few New York counties, not the whole state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of New York, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of New York. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart R: Golden Nematode (eCFR)

Regulated articles shipped to category 1 and category 2 states must be produced and certified according to options as outlined additional requirements or limitations imposed by a state quarantine must be followed.
Category 2 States with established quarantines Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 80-10-4 http://www.alabamaadministrativecode.state.al.us/docs/agr/McWord10AGR4.pdf Colorado - Code of Colorado Regulations, Number 8 CCR 1203-21 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Rules%20for%20Nursery%20Program%20- %20Japanese%20Beetle%20Quarantine.pdf New Mexico Administrative Code, Title 21, Chapter 17, Part 27
Soil, humus, compost, manure, and all growing media (except when commercially packaged) All plants with roots (except bareroot plants free from soil). Free from soil means plants with less the amount of soil or growing media that can harbor any life stage of Japanese beetle (egg, pupa, or larva). Some states define this as free from soil or growing media larger than ½ inch. Grass sod Plants with crowns or roots for propagation (except when free from soil) Bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes of ornamental plants (except when free from soil)

U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Potted plants in soil in every state

Citrus trees

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 2 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: What Colorado publishes about citrus trees is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.

Source & details

Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving

Citrus greening and Asian citrus psyllid (7 CFR 301.76): Citrus plants may not be moved interstate out of a citrus greening quarantine area unless a specific provision allows it. APHIS asks people not to mail or carry home-grown citrus plants out at all. Leaving Georgia, Florida, or parts of Alabama, California, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart N: Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid (eCFR)

Each shipment or lot of plant material moving into Colorado must be plainly marked with the names and addresses of shipper and consignee and the general nature of the contents and bear a valid inspection certificate of the state of origin.

Plant Imports, Colorado Department of Agriculture · checked 15 Sep 2026

Citrus trees in every state

Other fruit trees

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 13 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: Apple, fig and most fruit trees are fine anywhere in Colorado. Only stone fruit -- plums, cherries, peaches, apricots -- is restricted, and only into five San Luis Valley counties: Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande, Saguache.

Source & details

Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving

Spongy moth (trees and shrubs with roots) (7 CFR 301.45): A tree or shrub with roots needs a federal certificate or permit to leave a spongy moth quarantine area. Anything greenhouse-grown all year is exempt, so this is about what has been living in your garden. Leaving Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart E: Gypsy Moth (eCFR)

All Prunus species with the exception of Prunus besseyi, Prunus cistena, Prunus glandulosa, Prunus maackii, Prunus tomentosa, Prunus triloba and Prunus virginiana are prohibited entry into Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties of Colorado.

Plant Imports, Colorado Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Other fruit trees in every state

Nursery stock & shrubs

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 40 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: What Colorado publishes about nursery stock and shrubs is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.

Source & details

Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving

Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)

Spongy moth (trees and shrubs with roots) (7 CFR 301.45): A tree or shrub with roots needs a federal certificate or permit to leave a spongy moth quarantine area. Anything greenhouse-grown all year is exempt, so this is about what has been living in your garden. Leaving Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart E: Gypsy Moth (eCFR)

Witchweed (7 CFR 301.80): Witchweed is regulated in a handful of Carolina counties, not the whole of either state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of the Carolinas, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of North Carolina, South Carolina. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart O: Witchweed (eCFR)

Colorado treats 39 origins differently

Alabama: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Alaska: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Arkansas: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Connecticut: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Delaware: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

District of Columbia: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Georgia: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Illinois: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Indiana: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Iowa: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Kansas: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Kentucky: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Louisiana: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Maine: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Maryland: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Massachusetts: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Michigan: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Minnesota: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Mississippi: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Missouri: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Nebraska: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

New Hampshire: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

New Jersey: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

New Mexico: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

New York: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

North Carolina: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

North Dakota: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Ohio: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Oklahoma: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Pennsylvania: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Rhode Island: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

South Carolina: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

South Dakota: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Tennessee: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Texas: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Vermont: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Virginia: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

West Virginia: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Wisconsin: Conditional . On top of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plants need an approved insecticide treatment or a certificate saying they're free of Japanese beetle.

Each shipment or lot of plant material moving into Colorado must be plainly marked with the names and addresses of shipper and consignee and the general nature of the contents and bear a valid inspection certificate of the state of origin.
Any shipment of plant material that is found or deemed liable, to carry pests may be sent out of the state or destroyed within forty-eight hours with no compensation to the owner.

Plant Imports, Colorado Department of Agriculture · Plant Imports, Colorado Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026

Nursery stock & shrubs in every state

Cut flowers & bouquets

No data

No data yet on bringing cut flowers and bouquets into Colorado.

Colorado Department of Agriculture is the office that answers this one.

Seeds & bulbs

Conditional

  • Certificate

Seed potatoes headed for the San Luis Valley need to be certified and carry a certificate showing no late blight, a field inspection, and a tested sample of tubers. Elsewhere in Colorado this one doesn't apply.

You'd need: Certificate showing no late blight, a field inspection and a tested sample

Source & details
Seed potatoes imported into the San Luis Valley of Colorado shall be certified and accompanied by a certificate attesting to the absence of late blight and which shows proof of field inspection and documents that a representative sample of tubers from the loads was tested for late blight.

Plant Imports, Colorado Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Seeds & bulbs in every state

Firewood

Not allowed

It's against the law to bring in firewood from an area with a forest pest like spongy moth or spotted lanternfly. Buy your firewood in Colorado instead.

Because of: State firewood rules.

Source & details

Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving

Gypsy moth (outdoor household articles) (7 CFR 301.45): Firewood counts as an outdoor household article. Moving it out of a gypsy moth quarantine area needs a certificate, or the self-inspection checklist from the "Don’t Move Gypsy Moth" program aid. Leaving Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart E: Gypsy Moth (eCFR)

It is against the law to bring out-of-state firewood into Colorado from areas infested with regulated forest pests like imported fire ant , spongy moth , spotted lanternfly , and Asian longhorned beetle .

CO firewood rules, Don’t Move Firewood (The Nature Conservancy) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Firewood in every state

Hay & straw

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 13 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: You can bring hay and straw into Colorado freely. Using it is the catch: on public land it has to be certified weed-free, inspected in the field before it was ever baled.

Source & details

Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving

Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)

Colorado treats 13 origins differently

Alabama: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

Arkansas: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

California: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

Florida: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

Georgia: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

Louisiana: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

Mississippi: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

North Carolina: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

Oklahoma: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

South Carolina: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

Tennessee: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

Texas: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

Virginia: Conditional . Fire ants travel in hay, so hay from the state you're leaving needs a certificate or permit showing it's pest-free before it ships.

The use of certified weed-free forage and mulch is intended to reduce the spread of weeds on public land or other areas where forage or mulch is used.

Weed Free Forage, Colorado Department of Agriculture · checked 17 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Hay & straw in every state

Soil & compost

Conditional

  • Certificate

Soil, compost, humus and manure can carry Japanese beetle, so they need certifying under the Japanese beetle plan before they come in. Mix that arrives commercially packaged is the exception.

You'd need: Certificate showing it meets the Japanese beetle plan

Because of: Japanese beetle.

Source & details

Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving

Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)

Witchweed (7 CFR 301.80): Witchweed is regulated in a handful of Carolina counties, not the whole of either state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of the Carolinas, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of North Carolina, South Carolina. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart O: Witchweed (eCFR)

Golden nematode (7 CFR 301.85): Golden nematode is regulated in parts of a few New York counties, not the whole state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of New York, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of New York. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart R: Golden Nematode (eCFR)

Regulated articles shipped to category 1 and category 2 states must be produced and certified according to options as outlined additional requirements or limitations imposed by a state quarantine must be followed.
Category 2 States with established quarantines Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 80-10-4 http://www.alabamaadministrativecode.state.al.us/docs/agr/McWord10AGR4.pdf Colorado - Code of Colorado Regulations, Number 8 CCR 1203-21 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Rules%20for%20Nursery%20Program%20- %20Japanese%20Beetle%20Quarantine.pdf New Mexico Administrative Code, Title 21, Chapter 17, Part 27
Soil, humus, compost, manure, and all growing media (except when commercially packaged) All plants with roots (except bareroot plants free from soil). Free from soil means plants with less the amount of soil or growing media that can harbor any life stage of Japanese beetle (egg, pupa, or larva). Some states define this as free from soil or growing media larger than ½ inch. Grass sod Plants with crowns or roots for propagation (except when free from soil) Bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes of ornamental plants (except when free from soil)

U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Soil & compost in every state

Still stuck? The people who answer this in Colorado are Colorado Department of Agriculture.