Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to New Hampshire
Can I bring my plants into New Hampshire?
New Hampshire wants a licence or certificate number on the package, showing an inspector found the plants free of pests and disease. Firewood from out of state is the strict one.
- Checked Sep 2026
What New Hampshire 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
- 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)
No data
What New Hampshire 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
All nursery stock shipped into New Hampshire shall bear on each consignment or package a valid license or certificate number indicating that the contents of that consignment or package have been inspected by a duly authorized inspecting officer, and that the contents are apparently free from all dangerous insects and plant diseases, and are therefore certified stock.
means woody plants, including ornamental and fruiting trees, shrubs, vines, and all viable parts of these plants; herbaceous plants, including florist stock plants, annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, herbs, potted plants, and all viable parts of these plants; and any other plant or plant part designated by the commissioner.
If nursery stock is brought into the state without a certificate of inspection, or notification of licensure, the consignee shall return it to the consignor at the expense of the consignor, or shall call the director to inspect the nursery stock.
N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · 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 New Hampshire 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 shipped into New Hampshire shall bear on each consignment or package a valid license or certificate number indicating that the contents of that consignment or package have been inspected by a duly authorized inspecting officer, and that the contents are apparently free from all dangerous insects and plant diseases, and are therefore certified stock.
means woody plants, including ornamental and fruiting trees, shrubs, vines, and all viable parts of these plants; herbaceous plants, including florist stock plants, annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, herbs, potted plants, and all viable parts of these plants; and any other plant or plant part designated by the commissioner.
If nursery stock is brought into the state without a certificate of inspection, or notification of licensure, the consignee shall return it to the consignor at the expense of the consignor, or shall call the director to inspect the nursery stock.
N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · 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 New Hampshire 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)
All nursery stock shipped into New Hampshire shall bear on each consignment or package a valid license or certificate number indicating that the contents of that consignment or package have been inspected by a duly authorized inspecting officer, and that the contents are apparently free from all dangerous insects and plant diseases, and are therefore certified stock.
means woody plants, including ornamental and fruiting trees, shrubs, vines, and all viable parts of these plants; herbaceous plants, including florist stock plants, annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, herbs, potted plants, and all viable parts of these plants; and any other plant or plant part designated by the commissioner.
If nursery stock is brought into the state without a certificate of inspection, or notification of licensure, the consignee shall return it to the consignor at the expense of the consignor, or shall call the director to inspect the nursery stock.
N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · checked 14 Sep 2026
Other fruit trees
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 12 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: What New Hampshire 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 shipped into New Hampshire shall bear on each consignment or package a valid license or certificate number indicating that the contents of that consignment or package have been inspected by a duly authorized inspecting officer, and that the contents are apparently free from all dangerous insects and plant diseases, and are therefore certified stock.
means woody plants, including ornamental and fruiting trees, shrubs, vines, and all viable parts of these plants; herbaceous plants, including florist stock plants, annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, herbs, potted plants, and all viable parts of these plants; and any other plant or plant part designated by the commissioner.
If nursery stock is brought into the state without a certificate of inspection, or notification of licensure, the consignee shall return it to the consignor at the expense of the consignor, or shall call the director to inspect the nursery stock.
N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · checked 14 Sep 2026
Nursery stock & shrubs
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 18 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: What New Hampshire 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 shipped into New Hampshire shall bear on each consignment or package a valid license or certificate number indicating that the contents of that consignment or package have been inspected by a duly authorized inspecting officer, and that the contents are apparently free from all dangerous insects and plant diseases, and are therefore certified stock.
means woody plants, including ornamental and fruiting trees, shrubs, vines, and all viable parts of these plants; herbaceous plants, including florist stock plants, annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, herbs, potted plants, and all viable parts of these plants; and any other plant or plant part designated by the commissioner.
If nursery stock is brought into the state without a certificate of inspection, or notification of licensure, the consignee shall return it to the consignor at the expense of the consignor, or shall call the director to inspect the nursery stock.
N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
Fine
Cut flowers are left out here, along with wreaths, seeds and dried herbs. Nothing has to travel with them.
Source & details
Nursery stock does not include cut Christmas trees, wreaths, seeds, dried herbs, vegetables, cut flowers, or such plant products.
means woody plants, including ornamental and fruiting trees, shrubs, vines, and all viable parts of these plants; herbaceous plants, including florist stock plants, annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, herbs, potted plants, and all viable parts of these plants; and any other plant or plant part designated by the commissioner.
All nursery stock shipped into New Hampshire shall bear on each consignment or package a valid license or certificate number indicating that the contents of that consignment or package have been inspected by a duly authorized inspecting officer, and that the contents are apparently free from all dangerous insects and plant diseases, and are therefore certified stock.
N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · checked 14 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
Conditional
- Certificate
- Permit
Bulbs travel under the same certificate as the plant they came from. Seeds are left out by name, so they need nothing.
You'd need: Licence or certificate number on each package, showing an inspector found the contents free of pests and disease
Source & details
All nursery stock shipped into New Hampshire shall bear on each consignment or package a valid license or certificate number indicating that the contents of that consignment or package have been inspected by a duly authorized inspecting officer, and that the contents are apparently free from all dangerous insects and plant diseases, and are therefore certified stock.
means woody plants, including ornamental and fruiting trees, shrubs, vines, and all viable parts of these plants; herbaceous plants, including florist stock plants, annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, herbs, potted plants, and all viable parts of these plants; and any other plant or plant part designated by the commissioner.
Nursery stock does not include cut Christmas trees, wreaths, seeds, dried herbs, vegetables, cut flowers, or such plant products.
N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · N.H. RSA 433: Plant Pest Law and Nursery Stock · checked 14 Sep 2026
Firewood
Conditional
- Treatment
- Certificate
You can't bring firewood in from out of state unless it's been heat-treated to 140°F for 60 minutes and labelled with the facility that did it.
You'd need: Certification of heat treatment to 140°F for 60 minutes, labelled with the facility
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 state of New Hampshire prohibits the entry of out-of-state firewood unless it has been certified heat-treated to 140° F (60° C) for 60 minutes and is clearly labeled with the name and address of the federal or state approved production facility.
NH 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 New Hampshire.
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 New Hampshire.
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 New Hampshire are New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food.