Can I Bring My Plants?

Moving to Nebraska

Can I bring my plants into Nebraska?

Nebraska licenses the people who hand plants on rather than checking what you carry, so most of what it publishes is written for sellers and says nothing about a move. Soil, firewood, hay and straw are fine at the state line, though anything found carrying noxious weed seed has to stay where it is.

  • Checked Sep 2026
Nebraska on a map of the United States Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut District of Columbia Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming

What Nebraska asks for

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 Nebraska 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
A person distributing greenhouse plants grown for indoor use, annual plants, florist stock, cut flowers, sod, turf, onions, or potatoes, or seeds of any such plant, shall not be required to obtain a license but may do so pursuant to section 2-10,105 .
A person shall not operate as a nursery stock distributor without a valid license issued by the department.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · checked 14 Sep 2026

Houseplants in every state

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 Nebraska 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 person shall not operate as a nursery stock distributor without a valid license issued by the department.
Each applicant for a nursery stock distributor license shall furnish a signed written statement that such person will acquire and distribute only nursery stock which has been distributed by a person who is duly licensed pursuant to the act or approved by an authorizing agency within the state of origin recognized by the department.
A person distributing greenhouse plants grown for indoor use, annual plants, florist stock, cut flowers, sod, turf, onions, or potatoes, or seeds of any such plant, shall not be required to obtain a license but may do so pursuant to section 2-10,105 .

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · checked 14 Sep 2026

Potted plants in soil in every state

Citrus trees

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 2 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: What Nebraska 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)

A person shall not operate as a nursery stock distributor without a valid license issued by the department.
Each applicant for a nursery stock distributor license shall furnish a signed written statement that such person will acquire and distribute only nursery stock which has been distributed by a person who is duly licensed pursuant to the act or approved by an authorizing agency within the state of origin recognized by the department.
A person distributing greenhouse plants grown for indoor use, annual plants, florist stock, cut flowers, sod, turf, onions, or potatoes, or seeds of any such plant, shall not be required to obtain a license but may do so pursuant to section 2-10,105 .

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · checked 14 Sep 2026

Citrus trees in every state

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 Nebraska 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 person shall not operate as a nursery stock distributor without a valid license issued by the department.
Each applicant for a nursery stock distributor license shall furnish a signed written statement that such person will acquire and distribute only nursery stock which has been distributed by a person who is duly licensed pursuant to the act or approved by an authorizing agency within the state of origin recognized by the department.
A person distributing greenhouse plants grown for indoor use, annual plants, florist stock, cut flowers, sod, turf, onions, or potatoes, or seeds of any such plant, shall not be required to obtain a license but may do so pursuant to section 2-10,105 .

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · checked 14 Sep 2026

Other fruit trees in every state

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 Nebraska 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 applicant for a nursery stock distributor license shall furnish a signed written statement that such person will acquire and distribute only nursery stock which has been distributed by a person who is duly licensed pursuant to the act or approved by an authorizing agency within the state of origin recognized by the department.
Every nursery stock distributor shall continually maintain a complete and accurate list with the department of all sources from which nursery stock is received.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · checked 14 Sep 2026

Nursery stock & shrubs in every state

Cut flowers & bouquets

No data

What Nebraska publishes about cut flowers and bouquets 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 person distributing greenhouse plants grown for indoor use, annual plants, florist stock, cut flowers, sod, turf, onions, or potatoes, or seeds of any such plant, shall not be required to obtain a license but may do so pursuant to section 2-10,105 .
A person shall not operate as a nursery stock distributor without a valid license issued by the department.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · checked 14 Sep 2026

Cut flowers & bouquets in every state

Seeds & bulbs

No data

What Nebraska 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 person shall not operate as a nursery stock distributor without a valid license issued by the department.
A person distributing greenhouse plants grown for indoor use, annual plants, florist stock, cut flowers, sod, turf, onions, or potatoes, or seeds of any such plant, shall not be required to obtain a license but may do so pursuant to section 2-10,105 .

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · Neb. Rev. Stat. § 2-1091.01: Nursery stock distributor license; licensee duties · checked 14 Sep 2026

Seeds & bulbs in every state

Firewood

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 13 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: Nothing in law stops you bringing firewood in, but Nebraska's agriculture department would rather you didn't.

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)

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) strongly advises that in general, no firewood be brough

NE 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

Firewood in every state

Hay & straw

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: Ordinary hay and straw are fine. The rule only reaches a load that actually becomes infested with a noxious weed: once that happens it can't leave that spot, though it can still be used there.

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, sod, nursery stock, hay, straw, and other material of a similar nature are articles for which no known acceptable method of treatment exists. Such articles may not be moved from the location at which they initially become infested, but may be utilized at that location for their commonly recognized purpose.
004.01D Hay, straw, and other material of a similar nature;

Title 25, Chapter 10: Nebraska Noxious Weed Regulations (Nebraska Department of Agriculture) · Title 25, Chapter 10: Nebraska Noxious Weed Regulations (Nebraska Department of Agriculture) · checked 15 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Hay & straw in every state

Soil & compost

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: Ordinary soil is fine. The rule only reaches soil that actually becomes infested with a noxious weed: once that happens it can't leave that spot, though it can still be used there.

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)

Soil, sod, nursery stock, hay, straw, and other material of a similar nature are articles for which no known acceptable method of treatment exists. Such articles may not be moved from the location at which they initially become infested, but may be utilized at that location for their commonly recognized purpose.
004.01D Hay, straw, and other material of a similar nature; 004.01E Nursery stock; 004.01F Fence posts, fencing, or railroad ties; 004.01G Sod; 004.01H Manure; 004.01I Soil;
Soil intended for laboratory analysis may be allowed entry into the state under this quarantine, provided the Nebraska recipient applies for a compliance agreement and receives a soil permit issued by the Department.

Title 25, Chapter 10: Nebraska Noxious Weed Regulations (Nebraska Department of Agriculture) · Title 25, Chapter 10: Nebraska Noxious Weed Regulations (Nebraska Department of Agriculture) · Nebraska: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations (National Plant Board) · checked 15 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Soil & compost in every state

Still stuck? The people who answer this in Nebraska are Nebraska Department of Agriculture.