Can I Bring My Plants?

Moving to Georgia

Can I bring my plants into Georgia?

Your own houseplants, kept indoors and moving with your household goods, are exempt — the certificate Georgia asks for is on plants arriving to be sold. Potted plants, fruit trees and bulbs do need an inspection certificate from the state you are leaving, and citrus is very close to a no.

  • Checked Sep 2026
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What Georgia 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 kept indoors and travelling with your household goods are exempt. The certificate Georgia asks for is on plants coming in to be sold.

Source & details
House plants maintained indoors and moving with household goods are exempt.
all Live Plants are accompanied by a valid inspection Certificate from the state of origin, and a bill of lading or invoice describing the shipment and licensed destination.

Georgia summary, National Plant Board · Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.04: Movement of Live Plants into Georgia · checked 15 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Houseplants in every state

Potted plants in soil

Conditional

  • Certificate

Potted plants need a valid inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plus a bill of lading or invoice saying what's in the shipment and where it's going.

You'd need: Valid inspection certificate from the state you're leaving · Bill of lading or invoice saying what's in the shipment and where it's going

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)

all Live Plants are accompanied by a valid inspection Certificate from the state of origin, and a bill of lading or invoice describing the shipment and licensed destination.
Any whole or propagative part of any member of the Plant Kingdom, capable of or intended for propagation or growth.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.04: Movement of Live Plants into Georgia · Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.01: Definitions (Live Plant Regulations) · checked 14 Sep 2026

Potted plants in soil in every state

Citrus trees

Not allowed

  • Certificate
  • Permit

Citrus plants can't come into Georgia unless the plant agency in the state you're leaving holds a Master Permit, the plants were grown in a pest-proof structure, and they come from a certified citrus facility.

You'd need: Master Permit, held by the plant agency in the state you're leaving · Proof they were grown in a pest-proof structure under a citrus certification programme

Because of: Citrus greening (HLB).

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)

Citrus plants are prohibited from entering Georgia unless: 1. The state plant regulatory organization has been issued a Master Permit by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Section; 2. The citrus plants were produced inside an exclusion structure as defined in these Rules. 3. The citrus plants are produced in a facility under a citrus certification compliance program with either the relevant state plant regulatory organization or USDA- APHIS-PPQ;
The purpose of these Rules is to minimize the spread of serious graft-transmissible diseases as well as certain other pathogens and nematodes of citrus by: (1) requiring anyone propagating citrus to participate in a mandatory citrus nursery stock program; and (2) outlining established protocols for movement of citrus into the state of Georgia.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-26: Citrus Regulations and Quarantine · Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-26: Citrus Regulations and Quarantine · checked 14 Sep 2026

Citrus trees in every state

Other fruit trees

Conditional

  • Certificate

A fruit tree needs a valid inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, plus a bill of lading or invoice saying what's in the shipment and where it's going.

You'd need: Valid inspection certificate from the state you're leaving · Bill of lading or invoice saying what's in the shipment and where it's going

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 Live Plants are accompanied by a valid inspection Certificate from the state of origin, and a bill of lading or invoice describing the shipment and licensed destination.
Any whole or propagative part of any member of the Plant Kingdom, capable of or intended for propagation or growth.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.04: Movement of Live Plants into Georgia · Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.01: Definitions (Live Plant Regulations) · checked 14 Sep 2026

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: What Georgia 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)

You Need this License If You are a Live Plant Dealer (garden center, landscapers, florist re-wholesalers, agents, brokers, etc.), OR You are a Live Plant Grower (such as field grown nurseries, container nurseries, greenhouse nurseries, collected native plants, or sod and/or sprig growers) and meet at least one of the following conditions: Your production space is greater than 1,000 square feet, OR You are shipping plants out of state or internationally, OR You are bringing plants in from out of state for re-sale, OR You are collecting wild plants to sell
Live Plant Shipping Certificates will be issued only to those Live Plant Growers and Live Plant Dealers who are licensed and in full compliance with all requirements of this Chapter.

Live Plant Licenses, Georgia Department of Agriculture · Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.06: Live Plant Shipping Certificates · checked 14 Sep 2026

Nursery stock & shrubs in every state

Cut flowers & bouquets

Fine

Cut flowers and decorative cut foliage sit outside Georgia's plant rules, along with true seeds, so a bouquet needs nothing at all.

Source & details
It does not include true seeds, cut flowers, or decorative cut foliage.
Any whole or propagative part of any member of the Plant Kingdom, capable of or intended for propagation or growth.
all Live Plants are accompanied by a valid inspection Certificate from the state of origin, and a bill of lading or invoice describing the shipment and licensed destination.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.01: Definitions (Live Plant Regulations) · Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.01: Definitions (Live Plant Regulations) · Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.04: Movement of Live Plants into Georgia · checked 14 Sep 2026

Cut flowers & bouquets in every state

Seeds & bulbs

Conditional

  • Certificate

Bulbs can still grow, so Georgia treats them like any other plant and wants an inspection certificate from the state you're leaving. True seeds are left out by name.

You'd need: Valid inspection certificate from the state you're leaving · Bill of lading or invoice saying what's in the shipment and where it's going

Source & details
all Live Plants are accompanied by a valid inspection Certificate from the state of origin, and a bill of lading or invoice describing the shipment and licensed destination.
Any whole or propagative part of any member of the Plant Kingdom, capable of or intended for propagation or growth.
It does not include true seeds, cut flowers, or decorative cut foliage.

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.04: Movement of Live Plants into Georgia · Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.01: Definitions (Live Plant Regulations) · Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-4-9-.01: Definitions (Live Plant Regulations) · checked 14 Sep 2026

Seeds & bulbs in every state

Firewood

Depends

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

From most states: Nothing in law stops you bringing firewood into Georgia. The state agencies would rather you didn't, because of emerald ash borer, spongy moth and laurel wilt.

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)

Georgia’s Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources,

GA 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. 5 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: No data yet on bringing hay and straw into Georgia.

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)

Hay & straw in every state

Soil & compost

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 5 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: No data yet on bringing soil and compost into Georgia.

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)

Soil & compost in every state

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