Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to Massachusetts
Can I bring my plants into Massachusetts?
Massachusetts only covers the woody things: trees, shrubs and strawberry plants. Houseplants, cut flowers, seeds and bulbs come in free, and what is covered needs an unexpired inspection certificate.
- Checked Sep 2026
What Massachusetts 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
Your houseplants are fine. Massachusetts only covers trees, shrubs, woody plants and strawberry plants meant for planting, and a leafy houseplant isn't one of those.
Source & details
Trees, shrubs, woody plants and strawberry plants, whether wild or cultivated and parts thereof for propagation.
Massachusetts: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Potted plants in soil
Conditional
- Certificate
It depends on the plant. A woody one in a pot, like a citrus or fruit tree, needs an inspection certificate that hasn't expired, and you have to tell the director it arrived.
You'd need: An inspection certificate that hasn't expired · A note to the director saying it arrived, with the recipient's name and address
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)
No nursery stock shall be brought into the commonwealth unless it bears an unexpired certificate of inspection.
Trees, shrubs, woody plants and strawberry plants, whether wild or cultivated and parts thereof for propagation.
Massachusetts General Laws c.128 §20: Nursery stock brought into the commonwealth · Massachusetts: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · 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: A citrus tree is woody, so Massachusetts wants an inspection certificate that hasn't expired travelling with it, and a note to the director saying it arrived.
You'd need: An inspection certificate that hasn't expired · A note to the director saying it arrived, with the recipient's name and address
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)
No nursery stock shall be brought into the commonwealth unless it bears an unexpired certificate of inspection.
Trees, shrubs, woody plants and strawberry plants, whether wild or cultivated and parts thereof for propagation.
Massachusetts General Laws c.128 §20: Nursery stock brought into the commonwealth · Massachusetts: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Other fruit trees
Conditional
- Certificate
A fruit tree is woody, so Massachusetts wants an inspection certificate that hasn't expired travelling with it, and a note to the director saying it arrived.
You'd need: An inspection certificate that hasn't expired · A note to the director saying it arrived, with the recipient's name and address
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)
No nursery stock shall be brought into the commonwealth unless it bears an unexpired certificate of inspection.
Trees, shrubs, woody plants and strawberry plants, whether wild or cultivated and parts thereof for propagation.
Massachusetts General Laws c.128 §20: Nursery stock brought into the commonwealth · Massachusetts: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Nursery stock & shrubs
Conditional
- Certificate
Anything from a nursery needs an inspection certificate that hasn't expired, and whoever brings it in has to tell the director it arrived.
You'd need: An inspection certificate that hasn't expired · A note to the director saying it arrived, with the recipient's name and address
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)
No nursery stock shall be brought into the commonwealth unless it bears an unexpired certificate of inspection.
Each person bringing into the commonwealth, or receiving for transportation to a point within the commonwealth from outside thereof, any car, box, bundle, package or consignment in any form, of living trees, shrubs or plants commonly known as nursery stock, shall immediately notify the director of the fact that such consignment has been received by him and give the name and address of the consignee, together with such further report as may be lawfully required by the director.
Massachusetts General Laws c.128 §20: Nursery stock brought into the commonwealth · Massachusetts General Laws c.128 §20: Nursery stock brought into the commonwealth · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
Fine
Bring the bouquet. Massachusetts only covers trees, shrubs and woody plants meant for planting, and a cut flower is headed nowhere but a vase.
Source & details
Trees, shrubs, woody plants and strawberry plants, whether wild or cultivated and parts thereof for propagation.
Massachusetts: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Seeds & bulbs
Fine
Seeds and bulbs are fine. Massachusetts covers trees, shrubs, woody plants and strawberry plants, and leaves seeds and bulbs off the list entirely.
Source & details
Trees, shrubs, woody plants and strawberry plants, whether wild or cultivated and parts thereof for propagation.
Massachusetts: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · 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. 12 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Nothing stops you bringing firewood across the state line. The rule is narrower: Massachusetts state parks won't take your own firewood, they sell it there. A big area around Worcester is separately restricted for Asian longhorned beetle.
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)
Massachusetts prohibits the movement of firewood into state parks.
MA 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 Massachusetts.
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 Massachusetts.
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 Massachusetts are Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.