Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to Montana
Can I bring my plants into Montana?
Montana's nursery law asks businesses that sell or distribute nursery stock to have it inspected and certified free of pests. What that means for a plant you're driving in yourself is something we have not found written down — see the categories below for what is and isn't answered. Bulbs, corms and soil are the exception: they need Japanese beetle certification no matter who's carrying them. Untreated firewood from out of state is the hard no, and hay is fine to bring but has to be certified weed free to use on public land.
- Checked Sep 2026
What Montana 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 & bulbsConditional
- FirewoodFirewoodNot allowed
- Hay & strawHay & strawDepends
- Soil & compostSoil & compostConditional
5 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 Montana 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
By law, and by reciprocal agreements with other states, plant material at businesses that sell or distribute nursery stock is required to be inspected and certified free from injurious plant pests.
Nursery stock means botanically classified plants or parts of plants, including but not limited to tropical potted plants, aquatic plants, and turf or sod grass
About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · 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 Montana 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)
By law, and by reciprocal agreements with other states, plant material at businesses that sell or distribute nursery stock is required to be inspected and certified free from injurious plant pests.
y stock? The definition of nursery stock is as follows and can be found in MCA 80-7-105 : Nursery stock means botanically classified plants or parts of plants, including but not limited to tropical potted plants, aquatic plants, and turf or sod grass. The following plants and plant materials may not be considered nursery stock: a. field crop plants and seeds; b. pasture grasses; c. cut plants not for propagation; d. fruits or
About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · About Nurseries Program · 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 Montana 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)
By law, and by reciprocal agreements with other states, plant material at businesses that sell or distribute nursery stock is required to be inspected and certified free from injurious plant pests.
Nursery stock means botanically classified plants or parts of plants, including but not limited to tropical potted plants, aquatic plants, and turf or sod grass
The following plants and plant materials may not be considered nursery stock: a. field crop plants and seeds; b. pasture grasses; c. cut plants not for propagation; d. fruits or vegetables for human or animal consumption; f. cut trees and products that are going to be processed to a point that they no longer represent a pest risk; e. plant debris for disposal or processing
About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · 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 Montana 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)
By law, and by reciprocal agreements with other states, plant material at businesses that sell or distribute nursery stock is required to be inspected and certified free from injurious plant pests.
Nursery stock means botanically classified plants or parts of plants, including but not limited to tropical potted plants, aquatic plants, and turf or sod grass
The following plants and plant materials may not be considered nursery stock: a. field crop plants and seeds; b. pasture grasses; c. cut plants not for propagation; d. fruits or vegetables for human or animal consumption; f. cut trees and products that are going to be processed to a point that they no longer represent a pest risk; e. plant debris for disposal or processing
About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · 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 Montana 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)
By law, and by reciprocal agreements with other states, plant material at businesses that sell or distribute nursery stock is required to be inspected and certified free from injurious plant pests.
About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
Fine
Cut flowers are fine. Montana leaves out cut plants that aren't going to be replanted, so the certificate rule doesn't reach them.
Source & details
The following plants and plant materials may not be considered nursery stock: a. field crop plants and seeds; b. pasture grasses; c. cut plants not for propagation; d. fruits or vegetables for human or animal consumption; f. cut trees and products that are going to be processed to a point that they no longer represent a pest risk; e. plant debris for disposal or processing
Nursery stock means botanically classified plants or parts of plants, including but not limited to tropical potted plants, aquatic plants, and turf or sod grass
About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · About the Nurseries Program, Montana Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
Conditional
- Certificate
Bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes have to be certified under the Japanese beetle plan before they come in. Commercially packaged growing media is the exception.
You'd need: Certification under the Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan
Source & details
Regulated articles shipped to category 1 and category 2 states must be produced and certified according to options as outlined additional requirements or limitations imposed by a state quarantine must be followed.
Category 1 States Arizona Administrative Code, Title 3, Chapter 4, Supp. 12-3, Section R3-4-248 https://agriculture.az.gov/r3-4-248-japanese-beetle California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 4, Chapter 3, Subchapter 4, Article 3, Section 3280 http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/htm/pqm_index.htm Idaho - Administrative Code, Rule 02.06.24 http://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/2001/02/0624.pdf Montana Order MTQ-2013-01 http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/PestMgt/quarantines/ Nevada Administrative Code, Chapter 554.162 through 554-220 http://agri.nv.gov/Resources/Regulations/Nursery/ Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 603, Division 52, Section 603 -52-0127 http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_600/oar_603/603_052.html 35 Utah Administrative Code, Rule R68-15 http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r068/r068-015.htm Washington Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 470, Section 16-470-700 through 19-470-720
Soil, humus, compost, manure, and all growing media (except when commercially packaged) All plants with roots (except bareroot plants free from soil). Free from soil means plants with less the amount of soil or growing media that can harbor any life stage of Japanese beetle (egg, pupa, or larva). Some states define this as free from soil or growing media larger than ½ inch. Grass sod Plants with crowns or roots for propagation (except when free from soil) Bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes of ornamental plants (except when free from soil)
U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Firewood
Not allowed
Leave the firewood behind. Bringing untreated wood into Montana from most out-of-state sources is against state or federal law.
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)
it is against state and/or federal law to bring untreated firewood into Montana from most out-of-state source
MT 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: You can bring hay in freely. Using it is the catch: on public land it has to be certified free of weed seed, with a marker on every bale.
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)
Certified noxious weed seed free forage is required when horses or pack animals are used on public land in Montana.
National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and State lands require the use of certified forage and each bale or bag of feed must have an approved NWSFF marker (twine, tags, or label).
Noxious Weed Free Materials, Montana Department of Agriculture · Noxious Weed Free Materials, Montana Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026
Soil & compost
Conditional
- Certificate
Soil, compost, humus and manure have to be certified under the Japanese beetle plan before they come in. Commercially packaged bags are the exception.
You'd need: Certification under the Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan
Because of: Japanese beetle.
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)
Regulated articles shipped to category 1 and category 2 states must be produced and certified according to options as outlined additional requirements or limitations imposed by a state quarantine must be followed.
Category 1 States Arizona Administrative Code, Title 3, Chapter 4, Supp. 12-3, Section R3-4-248 https://agriculture.az.gov/r3-4-248-japanese-beetle California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 4, Chapter 3, Subchapter 4, Article 3, Section 3280 http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/htm/pqm_index.htm Idaho - Administrative Code, Rule 02.06.24 http://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/2001/02/0624.pdf Montana Order MTQ-2013-01 http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/PestMgt/quarantines/ Nevada Administrative Code, Chapter 554.162 through 554-220 http://agri.nv.gov/Resources/Regulations/Nursery/ Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 603, Division 52, Section 603 -52-0127 http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_600/oar_603/603_052.html 35 Utah Administrative Code, Rule R68-15 http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r068/r068-015.htm Washington Administrative Code, Title 16, Chapter 470, Section 16-470-700 through 19-470-720
Soil, humus, compost, manure, and all growing media (except when commercially packaged) All plants with roots (except bareroot plants free from soil). Free from soil means plants with less the amount of soil or growing media that can harbor any life stage of Japanese beetle (egg, pupa, or larva). Some states define this as free from soil or growing media larger than ½ inch. Grass sod Plants with crowns or roots for propagation (except when free from soil) Bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes of ornamental plants (except when free from soil)
U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Still stuck? The people who answer this in Montana are Montana Department of Agriculture.