Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to Iowa
Can I bring my plants into Iowa?
Iowa's test is whether a plant could survive an Iowa winter, so houseplants, citrus, cut flowers and seeds travel free. Hardy woody plants need an inspection certificate from the state you're leaving.
- Checked Sep 2026
What Iowa asks for
- HouseplantsHouseplants (no outdoor soil)Fine
- Potted plants in soilPotted plants in soilConditional
- Citrus treesCitrus treesDepends
- Other fruit treesOther fruit treesConditional
- Nursery stock & shrubsNursery stock & shrubsConditional
- Cut flowers & bouquetsCut flowers & bouquetsFine
- Seeds & bulbsSeeds & bulbsFine
- FirewoodFirewoodDepends
- Hay & strawHay & strawDepends
- Soil & compostSoil & compostDepends
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 are fine. Iowa's certificate rule only covers woody plants tough enough to survive an Iowa winter, and a houseplant isn't one.
Source & details
Hardy. Capable of surviving the normal winter temperatures of Iowa.
Nursery stock. Hardy, cultivated or wild woody plants, such as trees, evergreens, shrubs and vines, and small fruits such as strawberries and raspberries.
Provide a valid copy of the certificate of inspection of the state of origin which will accompany each shipment of nursery stock into Iowa.
Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · checked 14 Sep 2026
Potted plants in soil
Conditional
- Certificate
It depends on the plant. A potted shrub that could survive an Iowa winter needs an inspection certificate from the state you're leaving; a tender houseplant needs nothing.
You'd need: A copy of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, travelling with the plants · The same certificate filed with Iowa's state entomologist
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)
Provide a valid copy of the certificate of inspection of the state of origin which will accompany each shipment of nursery stock into Iowa.
Nursery stock. Hardy, cultivated or wild woody plants, such as trees, evergreens, shrubs and vines, and small fruits such as strawberries and raspberries.
Hardy. Capable of surviving the normal winter temperatures of Iowa.
Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · checked 14 Sep 2026
Citrus trees
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 2 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Citrus trees are fine to bring. Iowa's rule only reaches plants that can survive an Iowa winter, and citrus can't.
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)
Hardy. Capable of surviving the normal winter temperatures of Iowa.
Nursery stock. Hardy, cultivated or wild woody plants, such as trees, evergreens, shrubs and vines, and small fruits such as strawberries and raspberries.
Provide a valid copy of the certificate of inspection of the state of origin which will accompany each shipment of nursery stock into Iowa.
Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · checked 14 Sep 2026
Other fruit trees
Conditional
- Certificate
An apple or pear tree needs an inspection certificate from the state you're leaving travelling with it, and the same certificate filed with Iowa's state entomologist.
You'd need: A copy of the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, travelling with the plants · The same certificate filed with Iowa's state entomologist
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)
Provide a valid copy of the certificate of inspection of the state of origin which will accompany each shipment of nursery stock into Iowa.
Nursery stock. Hardy, cultivated or wild woody plants, such as trees, evergreens, shrubs and vines, and small fruits such as strawberries and raspberries.
File with the state entomologist’s office an official certificate of inspection showing that the nursery from which the plants originated has been inspected and certified by the plant regulatory officials of that state.
Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · checked 14 Sep 2026
Nursery stock & shrubs
Conditional
- Certificate
Shipping plants into Iowa means filing the inspection certificate from the state you're leaving with the state entomologist, and sending a copy along with every shipment.
You'd need: Inspection certificate from the state you're leaving, filed with the state entomologist · A copy travelling with each shipment
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)
Any person desiring to ship nursery stock into Iowa shall: 46.7(1) File with the state entomologist’s office an official certificate of inspection showing that the nursery from which the plants originated has been inspected and certified by the plant regulatory officials
Provide a valid copy of the certificate of inspection of the state of origin which will accompany each shipment of nursery stock into Iowa.
Iowa Admin. Code 21—46.7(177A): Out-of-state nursery growers and nursery dealers · Iowa Admin. Code 21—46.7(177A): Out-of-state nursery growers and nursery dealers · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
Fine
Bring the bouquet. Iowa's rule covers woody plants and small fruits like strawberries, and a cut flower is neither of those.
Source & details
Nursery stock. Hardy, cultivated or wild woody plants, such as trees, evergreens, shrubs and vines, and small fruits such as strawberries and raspberries.
Hardy. Capable of surviving the normal winter temperatures of Iowa.
Provide a valid copy of the certificate of inspection of the state of origin which will accompany each shipment of nursery stock into Iowa.
Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · checked 14 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
Fine
Seeds and bulbs are fine. Iowa's certificate rule only covers woody plants and small fruits, and a seed packet is neither.
Source & details
Nursery stock. Hardy, cultivated or wild woody plants, such as trees, evergreens, shrubs and vines, and small fruits such as strawberries and raspberries.
Provide a valid copy of the certificate of inspection of the state of origin which will accompany each shipment of nursery stock into Iowa.
Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · Iowa Admin. Code ch. 21—46: Nursery Stock · checked 14 Sep 2026
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, but Iowa strongly encourages travellers to leave out-of-state firewood behind. Firewood sold in the state has to be labelled.
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)
Travelers entering Iowa are strongly encouraged to leave out-of-state firewood behind.
IA 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
Hay & straw
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: No data yet on bringing hay and straw into Iowa.
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)
Soil & compost
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: No data yet on bringing soil and compost into Iowa.
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)
Still stuck? The people who answer this in Iowa are Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.