Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to New Mexico
Can I bring my plants into New Mexico?
New Mexico checks plants for pests when they arrive and wants them certified by the state you're leaving. Japanese beetle and fire ant rules cover soil, compost, bulbs and baled hay on top of that.
- Checked Sep 2026
What New Mexico asks for
- HouseplantsHouseplants (no outdoor soil)Conditional
- Potted plants in soilPotted plants in soilConditional
- Citrus treesCitrus treesDepends
- Other fruit treesOther fruit treesConditional
- Nursery stock & shrubsNursery stock & shrubsConditional
- Cut flowers & bouquetsCut flowers & bouquetsConditional
- Seeds & bulbsSeeds & bulbsConditional
- FirewoodFirewoodDepends
- Hay & strawHay & strawConditional
- Soil & compostSoil & compostConditional
2 of these change depending on where you're leaving. Pick a state to see which.
Plant by plant
Houseplants (no outdoor soil)
Conditional
- Certificate
New Mexico checks arriving plants for pests and wants them certified by the state you're leaving. Houseplants come under that too.
You'd need: A certificate from the state you're leaving, plus whatever the pest rules ask for
Source & details
They verify that plants brought into New Mexico from other states are safe. They must be in compliance with various quarantines and are certified appropriately by their state of origin.
Plant Inspection, Certification and Quarantines, New Mexico Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Potted plants in soil
Conditional
- Certificate
New Mexico has a Japanese beetle rule, and a plant with roots in soil comes under it. It needs certifying under that plan before it comes in; commercially packaged growing media is 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 2 States with established quarantines Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 80-10-4 http://www.alabamaadministrativecode.state.al.us/docs/agr/McWord10AGR4.pdf Colorado - Code of Colorado Regulations, Number 8 CCR 1203-21 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Rules%20for%20Nursery%20Program%20- %20Japanese%20Beetle%20Quarantine.pdf New Mexico Administrative Code, Title 21, Chapter 17, Part 27
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
Citrus trees
Depends
- Certificate
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 2 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: New Mexico checks arriving plants for pests and wants them certified by the state you're leaving. Houseplants come under that too.
You'd need: A certificate from the state you're leaving, plus whatever the pest rules ask for
Because of: Citrus greening (HLB).
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)
They verify that plants brought into New Mexico from other states are safe. They must be in compliance with various quarantines and are certified appropriately by their state of origin.
Plant Inspection, Certification and Quarantines, New Mexico Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Other fruit trees
Conditional
- Certificate
New Mexico checks arriving plants for pests and wants them certified by the state you're leaving. Houseplants come under that too.
You'd need: A certificate from the state you're leaving, plus whatever the pest rules ask for
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)
They verify that plants brought into New Mexico from other states are safe. They must be in compliance with various quarantines and are certified appropriately by their state of origin.
Plant Inspection, Certification and Quarantines, New Mexico Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Nursery stock & shrubs
Conditional
- Certificate
Anything from a nursery gets checked for pests when it arrives. Bring a certificate from the state you're leaving, and make sure it meets whatever pest rules apply.
You'd need: A certificate from the state you're leaving, plus whatever the pest rules ask for
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)
They verify that plants brought into New Mexico from other states are safe. They must be in compliance with various quarantines and are certified appropriately by their state of origin.
Plant Inspection, Certification and Quarantines, New Mexico Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Cut flowers & bouquets
Conditional
- Certificate
New Mexico checks arriving plants for pests and wants them certified by the state you're leaving. Houseplants come under that too.
You'd need: A certificate from the state you're leaving, plus whatever the pest rules ask for
Source & details
They verify that plants brought into New Mexico from other states are safe. They must be in compliance with various quarantines and are certified appropriately by their state of origin.
Plant Inspection, Certification and Quarantines, New Mexico Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Seeds & bulbs
Conditional
- Certificate
New Mexico's Japanese beetle rule covers bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes. They need certifying under that 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 2 States with established quarantines Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 80-10-4 http://www.alabamaadministrativecode.state.al.us/docs/agr/McWord10AGR4.pdf Colorado - Code of Colorado Regulations, Number 8 CCR 1203-21 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Rules%20for%20Nursery%20Program%20- %20Japanese%20Beetle%20Quarantine.pdf New Mexico Administrative Code, Title 21, Chapter 17, Part 27
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
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 13 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Nothing stops you, but New Mexico asks you not to bring firewood in from out of state, because of pest problems elsewhere.
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)
Firewood should not be brought into New Mexico from out-of-state sources due to quarantines aimed
NM 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
Conditional
- Certificate
Baled hay and straw that has been sitting on the ground need certifying under New Mexico's red imported fire ant rules, which follow the USDA's Imported Fire Ant Manual.
You'd need: A certificate that meets the USDA's Imported Fire Ant Manual
Because of: Imported fire ant.
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)
Certification guidelines are those listed in the USDA, APHIS, PPQ Imported Fire Ant Manual.
The red imported fire ant in any living stage of development; soil, compost, decomposed manure, humus, muck, and peat separately or with other things, except potting soil that is shipped in original containers in which the soil was placed after commercial preparation; plants with roots and soil attached, except houseplants grown in the home and not for sale; grass sod; baled hay and baled straw stored in direct contact with the ground; used mechanized soil-moving equipment, unless removed of all non-compacted soil; any other product, articles, or means of conveyance of any character whatsoever, when it is determined that they present a risk of spreading red imported fire ants.
New Mexico: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations (National Plant Board) · New Mexico: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations (National Plant Board) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Soil & compost
Conditional
- Certificate
New Mexico's Japanese beetle rule covers soil, compost, humus and manure. It needs certifying under that plan before it comes in, unless it's commercially packaged.
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 2 States with established quarantines Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 80-10-4 http://www.alabamaadministrativecode.state.al.us/docs/agr/McWord10AGR4.pdf Colorado - Code of Colorado Regulations, Number 8 CCR 1203-21 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Rules%20for%20Nursery%20Program%20- %20Japanese%20Beetle%20Quarantine.pdf New Mexico Administrative Code, Title 21, Chapter 17, Part 27
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 New Mexico are New Mexico Department of Agriculture.