Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to New York
Can I bring my plants into New York?
New York's inspection-certificate rule and its separate seller registration both bind the nursery trade — shippers, dealers, growers. What that means for a personal move is something we have not found written down for most categories. See below for which ones.
- Checked Sep 2026
What New York 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 & bouquetsNo data
- Seeds & bulbsSeeds & bulbsNo data
- 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 York 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
Any nursery stock shipped into New York must have an unexpired inspection certificate issued by an authorized official from the state of origin attached to each package, signifying that the contents appear to be free from all injurious plant pests.
All trees, shrubs, plants and vines and parts thereof, annuals, biennials, perennials, vegetables, fruit, forage and cereal plants and all other plant cuttings, grafts, scions, buds, bulbs and roots.
New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · 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 York 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)
Any nursery stock shipped into New York must have an unexpired inspection certificate issued by an authorized official from the state of origin attached to each package, signifying that the contents appear to be free from all injurious plant pests.
All trees, shrubs, plants and vines and parts thereof, annuals, biennials, perennials, vegetables, fruit, forage and cereal plants and all other plant cuttings, grafts, scions, buds, bulbs and roots.
New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · 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 York 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)
Any nursery stock shipped into New York must have an unexpired inspection certificate issued by an authorized official from the state of origin attached to each package, signifying that the contents appear to be free from all injurious plant pests.
All trees, shrubs, plants and vines and parts thereof, annuals, biennials, perennials, vegetables, fruit, forage and cereal plants and all other plant cuttings, grafts, scions, buds, bulbs and roots.
New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · 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 York 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)
Any nursery stock shipped into New York must have an unexpired inspection certificate issued by an authorized official from the state of origin attached to each package, signifying that the contents appear to be free from all injurious plant pests.
All trees, shrubs, plants and vines and parts thereof, annuals, biennials, perennials, vegetables, fruit, forage and cereal plants and all other plant cuttings, grafts, scions, buds, bulbs and roots.
New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · 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 York 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)
Anyone selling plants in New York State must be registered with the Division of Plant Industry as either a nursery grower or nursery dealer.
The Division issues Certificates of Registration for nursery growers. When a nursery grower begins operation, the business owner completes a nursery grower application. Before a Certificate of Registration can be issued, the operation must first be inspected to ensure it is free of insect pests, diseases, or invasive species.
Licensing and Plant Inspections, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets · Licensing and Plant Inspections, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
No data
What New York 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
Any nursery stock shipped into New York must have an unexpired inspection certificate issued by an authorized official from the state of origin attached to each package, signifying that the contents appear to be free from all injurious plant pests.
All trees, shrubs, plants and vines and parts thereof, annuals, biennials, perennials, vegetables, fruit, forage and cereal plants and all other plant cuttings, grafts, scions, buds, bulbs and roots.
New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · checked 14 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
No data
What New York 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
Any nursery stock shipped into New York must have an unexpired inspection certificate issued by an authorized official from the state of origin attached to each package, signifying that the contents appear to be free from all injurious plant pests.
All trees, shrubs, plants and vines and parts thereof, annuals, biennials, perennials, vegetables, fruit, forage and cereal plants and all other plant cuttings, grafts, scions, buds, bulbs and roots.
New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · New York: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations, National Plant Board · checked 14 Sep 2026
Firewood
Conditional
- Treatment
Out-of-state firewood needs to be heat-treated to 160°F for 75 minutes and carry New York's approved-firewood label with the producer's name before it can come in.
You'd need: Proof of heat treatment to 160°F for 75 minutes, plus the New York approved label
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)
New York prohibits the entry of out-of-state firewood of all types unless it has been certified, heat-treated to 71° C (160° F) for 75 minutes and is labeled as “New York Approved Heat-treated Firewood/Pest Free” with the producer’s name and address .
NY 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 York.
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 York.
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 York are New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.