Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to Kentucky
Can I bring my plants into Kentucky?
Kentucky wants a copy of an inspection certificate on the plants you bring in, whether they came from a nursery or not, and that includes hay and straw. Nothing stops you bringing firewood across the state line, though the state parks have a rule of their own.
- Checked Sep 2026
What Kentucky asks for
- HouseplantsHouseplants (no outdoor soil)Conditional
- Potted plants in soilPotted plants in soilConditional
- Citrus treesCitrus treesDepends
- Other fruit treesOther fruit treesConditional
- Nursery stock & shrubsNursery stock & shrubsConditional
- Cut flowers & bouquetsCut flowers & bouquetsConditional
- Seeds & bulbsSeeds & bulbsConditional
- FirewoodFirewoodDepends
- Hay & strawHay & strawConditional
- Soil & compostSoil & compostDepends
3 of these change depending on where you're leaving. Pick a state to see which.
Plant by plant
Houseplants (no outdoor soil)
Conditional
- Certificate
Kentucky's rule covers trees, plants and parts of plants, nursery-grown or not, so houseplants count. Bring a copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector.
You'd need: A copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector
Source & details
Trees, plants, or parts of plants, whether nursery-grown or not, that are sold, shipped, or transported into this state shall bear a copy of a certificate of inspection from a state or United States government inspector.
Nursery stock or other trees, plants, or parts of plants shipped into this state in violation of a state or United States quarantine may be seized and destroyed or returned to the shipper at the expense of the owner or possessor.
KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Potted plants in soil
Conditional
- Certificate
Kentucky's rule covers trees, plants and parts of plants, nursery-grown or not, so houseplants count. Bring a copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector.
You'd need: A copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector
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)
Trees, plants, or parts of plants, whether nursery-grown or not, that are sold, shipped, or transported into this state shall bear a copy of a certificate of inspection from a state or United States government inspector.
Nursery stock or other trees, plants, or parts of plants shipped into this state in violation of a state or United States quarantine may be seized and destroyed or returned to the shipper at the expense of the owner or possessor.
KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Citrus trees
Depends
- Certificate
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 2 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Kentucky's rule covers trees, plants and parts of plants, nursery-grown or not, so houseplants count. Bring a copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector.
You'd need: A copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector
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)
Trees, plants, or parts of plants, whether nursery-grown or not, that are sold, shipped, or transported into this state shall bear a copy of a certificate of inspection from a state or United States government inspector.
Nursery stock or other trees, plants, or parts of plants shipped into this state in violation of a state or United States quarantine may be seized and destroyed or returned to the shipper at the expense of the owner or possessor.
KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Other fruit trees
Conditional
- Certificate
Kentucky's rule covers trees, plants and parts of plants, nursery-grown or not, so houseplants count. Bring a copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector.
You'd need: A copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector
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)
Trees, plants, or parts of plants, whether nursery-grown or not, that are sold, shipped, or transported into this state shall bear a copy of a certificate of inspection from a state or United States government inspector.
Nursery stock or other trees, plants, or parts of plants shipped into this state in violation of a state or United States quarantine may be seized and destroyed or returned to the shipper at the expense of the owner or possessor.
KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Nursery stock & shrubs
Conditional
- Certificate
Plants coming into Kentucky need a copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector, nursery-grown or not. Anything that breaks the pest rules can be seized or sent back.
You'd need: A copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector
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)
Trees, plants, or parts of plants, whether nursery-grown or not, that are sold, shipped, or transported into this state shall bear a copy of a certificate of inspection from a state or United States government inspector.
Nursery stock or other trees, plants, or parts of plants shipped into this state in violation of a state or United States quarantine may be seized and destroyed or returned to the shipper at the expense of the owner or possessor.
KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
Conditional
- Certificate
Kentucky's rule covers trees, plants and parts of plants, nursery-grown or not, so houseplants count. Bring a copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector.
You'd need: A copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector
Source & details
Trees, plants, or parts of plants, whether nursery-grown or not, that are sold, shipped, or transported into this state shall bear a copy of a certificate of inspection from a state or United States government inspector.
Nursery stock or other trees, plants, or parts of plants shipped into this state in violation of a state or United States quarantine may be seized and destroyed or returned to the shipper at the expense of the owner or possessor.
KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Seeds & bulbs
Conditional
- Certificate
Kentucky's rule covers trees, plants and parts of plants, nursery-grown or not, so houseplants count. Bring a copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector.
You'd need: A copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector
Source & details
Trees, plants, or parts of plants, whether nursery-grown or not, that are sold, shipped, or transported into this state shall bear a copy of a certificate of inspection from a state or United States government inspector.
Nursery stock or other trees, plants, or parts of plants shipped into this state in violation of a state or United States quarantine may be seized and destroyed or returned to the shipper at the expense of the owner or possessor.
KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Firewood
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 13 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Nothing stops you bringing firewood across the state line. The rule is narrower: Kentucky's state parks only take out-of-state wood that's bundled and certified heat-treated, and national parks bar most outside wood.
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)
Kentucky State Parks prohibit out-of-state firewood unless it is bundled certified heat-treated.
KY 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
Conditional
- Certificate
Hay and straw are dried plant parts, and Kentucky's rule covers plant parts, so they need a copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector.
You'd need: A copy of an inspection certificate from a state or federal inspector
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)
Trees, plants, or parts of plants, whether nursery-grown or not, that are sold, shipped, or transported into this state shall bear a copy of a certificate of inspection from a state or United States government inspector.
Nursery stock or other trees, plants, or parts of plants shipped into this state in violation of a state or United States quarantine may be seized and destroyed or returned to the shipper at the expense of the owner or possessor.
KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · KRS 249.100: Plants to bear inspection certificate · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
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 Kentucky.
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 Kentucky are Kentucky Office of the State Entomologist.