Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to Minnesota
Can I bring my plants into Minnesota?
Minnesota takes the word of the state you're leaving, as long as the inspection is recent. Houseplants, cut flowers, seeds and bulbs are left out altogether, and firewood is the strict one.
- Checked Sep 2026
What Minnesota 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 & bulbsFine
- FirewoodFirewoodConditional
- Hay & strawHay & strawDepends
- Soil & compostSoil & compostDepends
6 of these change depending on where you're leaving. Pick a state to see which.
Plant by plant
Houseplants (no outdoor soil)
Fine
Minnesota leaves tropical plants out of its plant rules, and most houseplants are tropical. Yours can come along as they are.
Source & details
Nursery stock does not include: (1) field and forage crops or sod; (2) seeds; (3) vegetable plants, bulbs, or tubers; (4) cut material such as flowers or other herbaceous or woody plants, unless stems or other portions are intended for propagation; (5) tropical plants; (6) annuals; or (7) Christmas trees
means a plant intended for planting or propagation, including, but not limited to, trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, biennials, grafts, cuttings, and buds that may be sold for propagation, whether cultivated or wild, and all viable parts of these plants
All nursery stock originating from out of state and offered for sale in Minnesota must have been inspected by the appropriate state or federal agency during the previous 12 months and found free from significantly dangerous or potentially damaging plant pests. A nursery stock certificate is valid from January 1 to December 31.
Minn. Stat. § 18H.02: Definitions · Minn. Stat. § 18H.02: Definitions · Minn. Stat. § 18H.09: Nursery stock inspection · 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 Minnesota 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)
All nursery stock originating from out of state and offered for sale in Minnesota must have been inspected by the appropriate state or federal agency during the previous 12 months and found free from significantly dangerous or potentially damaging plant pests. A nursery stock certificate is valid from January 1 to December 31.
means a plant intended for planting or propagation, including, but not limited to, trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, biennials, grafts, cuttings, and buds that may be sold for propagation, whether cultivated or wild, and all viable parts of these plants
Minn. Stat. § 18H.09: Nursery stock inspection · Minn. Stat. § 18H.02: 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 is tropical, and Minnesota leaves tropical plants out of its plant rules. Your lemon tree doesn't need anything.
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)
Nursery stock does not include: (1) field and forage crops or sod; (2) seeds; (3) vegetable plants, bulbs, or tubers; (4) cut material such as flowers or other herbaceous or woody plants, unless stems or other portions are intended for propagation; (5) tropical plants; (6) annuals; or (7) Christmas trees
means a plant intended for planting or propagation, including, but not limited to, trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, biennials, grafts, cuttings, and buds that may be sold for propagation, whether cultivated or wild, and all viable parts of these plants
All nursery stock originating from out of state and offered for sale in Minnesota must have been inspected by the appropriate state or federal agency during the previous 12 months and found free from significantly dangerous or potentially damaging plant pests. A nursery stock certificate is valid from January 1 to December 31.
Minn. Stat. § 18H.02: Definitions · Minn. Stat. § 18H.02: Definitions · Minn. Stat. § 18H.09: Nursery stock inspection · checked 14 Sep 2026
Other fruit trees
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 13 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: What Minnesota 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)
All nursery stock originating from out of state and offered for sale in Minnesota must have been inspected by the appropriate state or federal agency during the previous 12 months and found free from significantly dangerous or potentially damaging plant pests. A nursery stock certificate is valid from January 1 to December 31.
means a plant intended for planting or propagation, including, but not limited to, trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, biennials, grafts, cuttings, and buds that may be sold for propagation, whether cultivated or wild, and all viable parts of these plants
Minn. Stat. § 18H.09: Nursery stock inspection · Minn. Stat. § 18H.02: Definitions · checked 14 Sep 2026
Nursery stock & shrubs
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 19 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: What Minnesota 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)
All nursery stock originating from out of state and offered for sale in Minnesota must have been inspected by the appropriate state or federal agency during the previous 12 months and found free from significantly dangerous or potentially damaging plant pests. A nursery stock certificate is valid from January 1 to December 31.
Minn. Stat. § 18H.09: Nursery stock inspection · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
Fine
Cut flowers sit outside Minnesota's plant rules, as long as no part of them is meant to be grown on. A bouquet travels freely.
Source & details
Nursery stock does not include: (1) field and forage crops or sod; (2) seeds; (3) vegetable plants, bulbs, or tubers; (4) cut material such as flowers or other herbaceous or woody plants, unless stems or other portions are intended for propagation; (5) tropical plants; (6) annuals; or (7) Christmas trees
All nursery stock originating from out of state and offered for sale in Minnesota must have been inspected by the appropriate state or federal agency during the previous 12 months and found free from significantly dangerous or potentially damaging plant pests. A nursery stock certificate is valid from January 1 to December 31.
Minn. Stat. § 18H.02: Definitions · Minn. Stat. § 18H.09: Nursery stock inspection · checked 14 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
Fine
Seeds, bulbs and tubers are all left out of Minnesota's plant rules. Nothing has to travel with them.
Source & details
Nursery stock does not include: (1) field and forage crops or sod; (2) seeds; (3) vegetable plants, bulbs, or tubers; (4) cut material such as flowers or other herbaceous or woody plants, unless stems or other portions are intended for propagation; (5) tropical plants; (6) annuals; or (7) Christmas trees
All nursery stock originating from out of state and offered for sale in Minnesota must have been inspected by the appropriate state or federal agency during the previous 12 months and found free from significantly dangerous or potentially damaging plant pests. A nursery stock certificate is valid from January 1 to December 31.
Minn. Stat. § 18H.02: Definitions · Minn. Stat. § 18H.09: Nursery stock inspection · checked 14 Sep 2026
Firewood
Conditional
- Certificate
Minnesota won't let in firewood from states that have mountain pine beetle unless it's certified. Inside the state, wood can't leave Lake and Cook counties without permission.
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)
MN prohibits the entry of uncertified firewood from states infested with mountain pine beetle
MN 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: Hay and straw count as field and forage crops, which Minnesota leaves out of its plant rules. Nothing needs to travel with them.
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)
Nursery stock does not include: (1) field and forage crops or sod; (2) seeds; (3) vegetable plants, bulbs, or tubers; (4) cut material such as flowers or other herbaceous or woody plants, unless stems or other portions are intended for propagation; (5) tropical plants; (6) annuals; or (7) Christmas trees
All nursery stock originating from out of state and offered for sale in Minnesota must have been inspected by the appropriate state or federal agency during the previous 12 months and found free from significantly dangerous or potentially damaging plant pests. A nursery stock certificate is valid from January 1 to December 31.
Minn. Stat. § 18H.02: Definitions · Minn. Stat. § 18H.09: Nursery stock inspection · 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 Minnesota.
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 Minnesota are Minnesota Department of Agriculture.