Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to Maryland
Can I bring my plants into Maryland?
Maryland licenses the seller rather than the traveller: anyone selling plants here needs a Plant Dealer Licence. Only plants hardy enough for a Maryland winter are covered, so houseplants, citrus and cut flowers fall outside it.
- Checked Sep 2026
What Maryland asks for
- HouseplantsHouseplants (no outdoor soil)Fine
- Potted plants in soilPotted plants in soilDepends
- Citrus treesCitrus treesDepends
- Other fruit treesOther fruit treesDepends
- Nursery stock & shrubsNursery stock & shrubsDepends
- Cut flowers & bouquetsCut flowers & bouquetsFine
- Seeds & bulbsSeeds & bulbsNo data
- FirewoodFirewoodDepends
- Hay & strawHay & strawDepends
- Soil & compostSoil & compostDepends
7 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. Maryland's rules cover plants that survive its winters, and the bit about tender plants is about ones being sent out of state, not ones arriving.
Source & details
Any nonhardy plant or plant part to be distributed in another state that requires plant inspection and certification before entering that state; and (c) Any other plant included by the Secretary, if regulating its movement is necessary to control any dangerously injurious plant pest.
Any hardy plant or plant that survives Maryland winters, including a deciduous or evergreen tree, shrub or woody vine whether cultivated, native, or wild, and all viable parts of the plant;
A plant dealer engaged in the sale or distribution of nursery stock shall hold a valid Plant Dealer License for each sales location.
Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.01: Definitions · Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.01: Definitions · Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.04: Plant Dealer License · checked 14 Sep 2026
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: What Maryland publishes about potted plants in soil 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)
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)
A plant dealer engaged in the sale or distribution of nursery stock shall hold a valid Plant Dealer License for each sales location.
Any hardy plant or plant that survives Maryland winters, including a deciduous or evergreen tree, shrub or woody vine whether cultivated, native, or wild, and all viable parts of the plant;
Any nonhardy plant or plant part to be distributed in another state that requires plant inspection and certification before entering that state; and (c) Any other plant included by the Secretary, if regulating its movement is necessary to control any dangerously injurious plant pest.
Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.04: Plant Dealer License · Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.01: Definitions · Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.01: Definitions · 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. They don't survive a Maryland winter, so they sit outside the rules, and the clause about tender plants only covers ones being sent out of state.
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)
Any nonhardy plant or plant part to be distributed in another state that requires plant inspection and certification before entering that state; and (c) Any other plant included by the Secretary, if regulating its movement is necessary to control any dangerously injurious plant pest.
Any hardy plant or plant that survives Maryland winters, including a deciduous or evergreen tree, shrub or woody vine whether cultivated, native, or wild, and all viable parts of the plant;
A plant dealer engaged in the sale or distribution of nursery stock shall hold a valid Plant Dealer License for each sales location.
Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.01: Definitions · Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.01: Definitions · Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.04: Plant Dealer License · checked 14 Sep 2026
Other fruit trees
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 12 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: What Maryland publishes about fruit trees other than citrus 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
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)
A plant dealer engaged in the sale or distribution of nursery stock shall hold a valid Plant Dealer License for each sales location.
Any hardy plant or plant that survives Maryland winters, including a deciduous or evergreen tree, shrub or woody vine whether cultivated, native, or wild, and all viable parts of the plant;
Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.04: Plant Dealer License · Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.01: Definitions · checked 14 Sep 2026
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 Maryland 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)
A plant dealer engaged in the sale or distribution of nursery stock shall hold a valid Plant Dealer License for each sales location.
Unless sooner revoked, a license is valid for a year beginning January 1, or date of issuance, and ending December 31.
Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.04: Plant Dealer License · Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.04: Plant Dealer License · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
Fine
Bring the bouquet. A cut flower isn't a plant that survives a Maryland winter, and the clause about tender plants only covers ones being sent out of state.
Source & details
Any nonhardy plant or plant part to be distributed in another state that requires plant inspection and certification before entering that state; and (c) Any other plant included by the Secretary, if regulating its movement is necessary to control any dangerously injurious plant pest.
Any hardy plant or plant that survives Maryland winters, including a deciduous or evergreen tree, shrub or woody vine whether cultivated, native, or wild, and all viable parts of the plant;
A plant dealer engaged in the sale or distribution of nursery stock shall hold a valid Plant Dealer License for each sales location.
Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.01: Definitions · Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.01: Definitions · Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.04: Plant Dealer License · checked 14 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
No data
What Maryland publishes about seeds and bulbs is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.
Source & details
A plant dealer engaged in the sale or distribution of nursery stock shall hold a valid Plant Dealer License for each sales location.
Any hardy plant or plant that survives Maryland winters, including a deciduous or evergreen tree, shrub or woody vine whether cultivated, native, or wild, and all viable parts of the plant;
Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.04: Plant Dealer License · Md. Code Regs. 15.06.02.01: Definitions · checked 14 Sep 2026
Firewood
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 12 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Nothing stops you bringing firewood across the state line. The actual rule is narrower: Maryland's state parks and state-managed properties won't let you bring your own firewood in, so buy it on site.
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)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources has a firewood policy that prohibits the entry of visitors’ personal firewood into all parks and properties managed by the state .
MD 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 Maryland.
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 Maryland.
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 Maryland are Maryland Department of Agriculture.