Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to Missouri
Can I bring my plants into Missouri?
Missouri's rule is about the nursery your plants came from, not about you: it wants the out-of-state nurseryman listed in a certified nursery directory, or a filed inspection certificate, before nursery stock ships in. What that means for someone driving their own plants in personally is something we have not found written down — see the categories below for what is and isn't answered. Cut flowers are the clear yes regardless.
- Checked Sep 2026
What Missouri asks for
- HouseplantsHouseplants (no outdoor soil)No data
- 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)
No data
What Missouri publishes about houseplants is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.
Source & details
nurseryman of any other state, territory, or district of the United States desiring to ship nursery stock into Missouri shall be listed in their state certified nursery directory and this directory must be filed with the office of the Missouri state entomologist or posted online by their state plant regulatory agency.
stock shall be understood to mean all plants having a persistent woody stem, perennials, bulbs, roots, crowns, corms, rhizomes and tubers capable of propagating, including strawberry, asparagus and rhubarb, but excluding seed potatoes and other garden vegetables.
2 CSR 70-10.050: Out-of-State Nurseryman to Verify Inspection-Certification · 2 CSR 70-10.010: Nursery Stock Defined · 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 Missouri 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)
nurseryman of any other state, territory, or district of the United States desiring to ship nursery stock into Missouri shall be listed in their state certified nursery directory and this directory must be filed with the office of the Missouri state entomologist or posted online by their state plant regulatory agency.
stock shall be understood to mean all plants having a persistent woody stem, perennials, bulbs, roots, crowns, corms, rhizomes and tubers capable of propagating, including strawberry, asparagus and rhubarb, but excluding seed potatoes and other garden vegetables.
Nurseries in states that fail to file this directory individually must file a copy of their certificate of inspection with the office of the Missouri state entomologist.
2 CSR 70-10.050: Out-of-State Nurseryman to Verify Inspection-Certification · 2 CSR 70-10.010: Nursery Stock Defined · 2 CSR 70-10.050: Out-of-State Nurseryman to Verify Inspection-Certification · 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: What Missouri publishes about citrus trees 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
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)
nurseryman of any other state, territory, or district of the United States desiring to ship nursery stock into Missouri shall be listed in their state certified nursery directory and this directory must be filed with the office of the Missouri state entomologist or posted online by their state plant regulatory agency.
stock shall be understood to mean all plants having a persistent woody stem, perennials, bulbs, roots, crowns, corms, rhizomes and tubers capable of propagating, including strawberry, asparagus and rhubarb, but excluding seed potatoes and other garden vegetables.
Nurseries in states that fail to file this directory individually must file a copy of their certificate of inspection with the office of the Missouri state entomologist.
2 CSR 70-10.050: Out-of-State Nurseryman to Verify Inspection-Certification · 2 CSR 70-10.010: Nursery Stock Defined · 2 CSR 70-10.050: Out-of-State Nurseryman to Verify Inspection-Certification · 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 Missouri 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)
nurseryman of any other state, territory, or district of the United States desiring to ship nursery stock into Missouri shall be listed in their state certified nursery directory and this directory must be filed with the office of the Missouri state entomologist or posted online by their state plant regulatory agency.
stock shall be understood to mean all plants having a persistent woody stem, perennials, bulbs, roots, crowns, corms, rhizomes and tubers capable of propagating, including strawberry, asparagus and rhubarb, but excluding seed potatoes and other garden vegetables.
Nurseries in states that fail to file this directory individually must file a copy of their certificate of inspection with the office of the Missouri state entomologist.
2 CSR 70-10.050: Out-of-State Nurseryman to Verify Inspection-Certification · 2 CSR 70-10.010: Nursery Stock Defined · 2 CSR 70-10.050: Out-of-State Nurseryman to Verify Inspection-Certification · 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 Missouri 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)
Each nursery dealer, before selling or offering for sale or otherwise distributing nursery stock within this state, shall annually obtain a nursery dealers' registration-inspection certificate for each individual location from which the dealer sel
RSMo § 263.070: Nursery inspection and dealer certificates · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
Fine
Cut flowers are fine. Missouri's rule covers plants you could grow on from, and a cut stem in a bouquet isn't one.
Source & details
stock shall be understood to mean all plants having a persistent woody stem, perennials, bulbs, roots, crowns, corms, rhizomes and tubers capable of propagating, including strawberry, asparagus and rhubarb, but excluding seed potatoes and other garden vegetables.
nurseryman of any other state, territory, or district of the United States desiring to ship nursery stock into Missouri shall be listed in their state certified nursery directory and this directory must be filed with the office of the Missouri state entomologist or posted online by their state plant regulatory agency.
2 CSR 70-10.010: Nursery Stock Defined · 2 CSR 70-10.050: Out-of-State Nurseryman to Verify Inspection-Certification · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Seeds & bulbs
No data
What Missouri 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
nurseryman of any other state, territory, or district of the United States desiring to ship nursery stock into Missouri shall be listed in their state certified nursery directory and this directory must be filed with the office of the Missouri state entomologist or posted online by their state plant regulatory agency.
stock shall be understood to mean all plants having a persistent woody stem, perennials, bulbs, roots, crowns, corms, rhizomes and tubers capable of propagating, including strawberry, asparagus and rhubarb, but excluding seed potatoes and other garden vegetables.
2 CSR 70-10.050: Out-of-State Nurseryman to Verify Inspection-Certification · 2 CSR 70-10.010: Nursery Stock Defined · 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 stops you bringing firewood into Missouri. The state's advice is to keep it within 50 miles of where it was cut, and campgrounds set their own rules, so buying it at your destination is simpler.
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)
Missouri Department of Conservation strongly recommends not moving firewood more than 50 miles from where it was harvested.
MO firewood rules, Don’t Move Firewood (The Nature Conservancy) · checked 17 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 Missouri.
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 Missouri.
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 Missouri are Missouri Department of Agriculture.