Can I Bring My Plants?

Moving to District of Columbia

Can I bring my plants into District of Columbia?

DC is the one place on this site with nothing of its own to ask you for. The federal pest rules on the state you're leaving are still the ones to check.

  • Checked Sep 2026
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What District of Columbia asks for

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

Plant by plant

Houseplants (no outdoor soil)

Fine

DC has nothing to ask you for: no plant health service of its own, and its old pest control law is repealed. Federal pest rules still cover what you're taking out of the state you're leaving.

Source & details
Since the District has no official plant protection service, APHIS provides the District with plant health services, including inspecting and documenting the plant health status of plants and plant products being moved from the District.
§ 8–304. Plant diseases and insect pest control. [Repealed]

District of Columbia; Movement of Plants and Plant Products, 66 FR 1015 (APHIS) · D.C. Code Title 8, Chapter 3: Weeds and Plant Diseases · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Houseplants in every state

Potted plants in soil

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: DC has nothing to ask you for: no plant health service of its own, and its old pest control law is repealed. Federal pest rules still cover what you're taking out of the state you're leaving.

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)

Since the District has no official plant protection service, APHIS provides the District with plant health services, including inspecting and documenting the plant health status of plants and plant products being moved from the District.
§ 8–304. Plant diseases and insect pest control. [Repealed]

District of Columbia; Movement of Plants and Plant Products, 66 FR 1015 (APHIS) · D.C. Code Title 8, Chapter 3: Weeds and Plant Diseases · 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: DC has nothing to ask you for: no plant health service of its own, and its old pest control law is repealed. Federal pest rules still cover what you're taking out of the state you're leaving.

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)

Since the District has no official plant protection service, APHIS provides the District with plant health services, including inspecting and documenting the plant health status of plants and plant products being moved from the District.
§ 8–304. Plant diseases and insect pest control. [Repealed]

District of Columbia; Movement of Plants and Plant Products, 66 FR 1015 (APHIS) · D.C. Code Title 8, Chapter 3: Weeds and Plant Diseases · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Citrus trees in every state

Other fruit trees

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 12 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: DC has nothing to ask you for: no plant health service of its own, and its old pest control law is repealed. Federal pest rules still cover what you're taking out of the state you're leaving.

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)

Since the District has no official plant protection service, APHIS provides the District with plant health services, including inspecting and documenting the plant health status of plants and plant products being moved from the District.
§ 8–304. Plant diseases and insect pest control. [Repealed]

District of Columbia; Movement of Plants and Plant Products, 66 FR 1015 (APHIS) · D.C. Code Title 8, Chapter 3: Weeds and Plant Diseases · 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. 18 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: DC has nothing to ask you for: no plant health service of its own, and its old pest control law is repealed. Federal pest rules still cover what you're taking out of the state you're leaving.

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)

Since the District has no official plant protection service, APHIS provides the District with plant health services, including inspecting and documenting the plant health status of plants and plant products being moved from the District.
§ 8–304. Plant diseases and insect pest control. [Repealed]

District of Columbia; Movement of Plants and Plant Products, 66 FR 1015 (APHIS) · D.C. Code Title 8, Chapter 3: Weeds and Plant Diseases · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Nursery stock & shrubs in every state

Cut flowers & bouquets

Fine

DC has nothing to ask you for: no plant health service of its own, and its old pest control law is repealed. Federal pest rules still cover what you're taking out of the state you're leaving.

Source & details
Since the District has no official plant protection service, APHIS provides the District with plant health services, including inspecting and documenting the plant health status of plants and plant products being moved from the District.
§ 8–304. Plant diseases and insect pest control. [Repealed]

District of Columbia; Movement of Plants and Plant Products, 66 FR 1015 (APHIS) · D.C. Code Title 8, Chapter 3: Weeds and Plant Diseases · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Cut flowers & bouquets in every state

Seeds & bulbs

Fine

DC has nothing to ask you for: no plant health service of its own, and its old pest control law is repealed. Federal pest rules still cover what you're taking out of the state you're leaving.

Source & details
Since the District has no official plant protection service, APHIS provides the District with plant health services, including inspecting and documenting the plant health status of plants and plant products being moved from the District.
§ 8–304. Plant diseases and insect pest control. [Repealed]

District of Columbia; Movement of Plants and Plant Products, 66 FR 1015 (APHIS) · D.C. Code Title 8, Chapter 3: Weeds and Plant Diseases · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Seeds & bulbs in every state

Firewood

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 12 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: DC has nothing to ask you for: no plant health service of its own, and its old pest control law is repealed. Federal pest rules still cover what you're taking out of the state you're leaving.

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)

Since the District has no official plant protection service, APHIS provides the District with plant health services, including inspecting and documenting the plant health status of plants and plant products being moved from the District.
§ 8–304. Plant diseases and insect pest control. [Repealed]

District of Columbia; Movement of Plants and Plant Products, 66 FR 1015 (APHIS) · D.C. Code Title 8, Chapter 3: Weeds and Plant Diseases · 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. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: DC has nothing to ask you for: no plant health service of its own, and its old pest control law is repealed. Federal pest rules still cover what you're taking out of the state you're leaving.

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)

Since the District has no official plant protection service, APHIS provides the District with plant health services, including inspecting and documenting the plant health status of plants and plant products being moved from the District.
§ 8–304. Plant diseases and insect pest control. [Repealed]

District of Columbia; Movement of Plants and Plant Products, 66 FR 1015 (APHIS) · D.C. Code Title 8, Chapter 3: Weeds and Plant Diseases · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Hay & straw in every state

Soil & compost

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: DC has nothing to ask you for: no plant health service of its own, and its old pest control law is repealed. Federal pest rules still cover what you're taking out of the state you're leaving.

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)

Since the District has no official plant protection service, APHIS provides the District with plant health services, including inspecting and documenting the plant health status of plants and plant products being moved from the District.
§ 8–304. Plant diseases and insect pest control. [Repealed]

District of Columbia; Movement of Plants and Plant Products, 66 FR 1015 (APHIS) · D.C. Code Title 8, Chapter 3: Weeds and Plant Diseases · 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 District of Columbia are DC Department of Energy and Environment.