Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to Oregon
Can I bring my plants into Oregon?
Oregon asks for a certificate from the state you're leaving on most plants, though houseplants and potted plants are fine. Businesses shipping stock also have to mark each box with who sent it and who's getting it -- what that means for someone driving their own plants isn't something we've found spelled out, so check the categories below. Leaving a state that has fire ants or spongy moth adds a federal certificate on top.
- Checked Sep 2026
What Oregon asks for
- HouseplantsHouseplants (no outdoor soil)Fine
- Potted plants in soilPotted plants in soilDepends
- Citrus treesCitrus treesDepends
- Other fruit treesOther fruit treesConditional
- Nursery stock & shrubsNursery stock & shrubsConditional
- Cut flowers & bouquetsCut flowers & bouquetsNo data
- Seeds & bulbsSeeds & bulbsNo data
- FirewoodFirewoodConditional
- Hay & strawHay & strawDepends
- Soil & compostSoil & compostConditional
3 of these change depending on where you're leaving. Pick a state to see which.
Plant by plant
Houseplants (no outdoor soil)
Fine
Oregon usually lets new residents bring their own houseplants in, no certificate. Five is the limit, they have to stay indoors for good, and nothing on the state's noxious weed lists.
Source & details
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) usually allows new residents to bring their personal houseplants to Oregon if used for non-commercial purposes.
Indoor potted houseplants must remain as indoor potted houseplants indefinitely.
Plants that are found on Oregon’s A-designated and B-designated weed lists are not allowed into the state.
Oregon Labeling & Certification Law states that all nursery stock and other plant material shipped into or within Oregon must be accompanied by a nursery stock certificate and/ or the required permits or tags of the state of origin, and be free from injurious pests, diseases, and noxious weeds.
Moving Houseplants, Oregon Department of Agriculture · Moving Houseplants, Oregon Department of Agriculture · Moving Houseplants, Oregon Department of Agriculture · Quick Guide Table of Oregon Quarantines (2022), Oregon Department of Agriculture · checked 16 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
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: You can bring them, but they become houseplants. Oregon asks that anything that lived outside moves indoors and stays there for good, and five plants is the limit.
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)
Oregon treats 6 origins differently
Alabama: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Florida: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Georgia: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Louisiana: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Mississippi: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
South Carolina: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Outdoor plants must be turned into indoor potted houseplants and remain indoors indefinitely.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) usually allows new residents to bring their personal houseplants to Oregon if used for non-commercial purposes.
Plants that are found on Oregon’s A-designated and B-designated weed lists are not allowed into the state.
Oregon Labeling & Certification Law states that all nursery stock and other plant material shipped into or within Oregon must be accompanied by a nursery stock certificate and/ or the required permits or tags of the state of origin, and be free from injurious pests, diseases, and noxious weeds.
Moving Houseplants, Oregon Department of Agriculture · Moving Houseplants, Oregon Department of Agriculture · Moving Houseplants, Oregon Department of Agriculture · Quick Guide Table of Oregon Quarantines (2022), Oregon Department of Agriculture · checked 16 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: A citrus tree needs to be free of pests, disease and weeds, and arrive with a shipping certificate from the state you're leaving.
You'd need: Shipping certificate from the state you're leaving
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)
Nursery stock shipped into Oregon must meet the following requirements: Be free of pests, diseases, and noxious weeds. Be accompanied by a shipping certificate issued by a state regulatory official for the state of origin.
Importing Plant Material, Oregon Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026
Other fruit trees
Conditional
- Certificate
A fruit tree needs a shipping certificate from the state you're leaving, plus a certificate for any pest that state has. Blueberry has to be tested for scorch virus before it arrives.
You'd need: Shipping certificate from the state you're leaving · A certificate for any pest the state you're leaving has
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)
Nursery stock shipped into Oregon must meet the following requirements: Be free of pests, diseases, and noxious weeds. Be accompanied by a shipping certificate issued by a state regulatory official for the state of origin.
Blueberry nursery stock must have been tested for Blueberry Scorch Virus prior to arriving in Oregon
Grapevine nursery stock must have originated from an official certification program approved by the ODA, and include a phytosanitary certificate
Importing Plant Material, Oregon Department of Agriculture · Importing Plant Material, Oregon Department of Agriculture · Importing Plant Material, Oregon 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 has to arrive free of pests, disease and weeds, with a shipping certificate from the state you're leaving and a certificate for any pest that state has.
You'd need: Shipping certificate from the state you're leaving · A certificate for any pest the state you're leaving has
Because of: Sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum).
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)
Oregon treats 13 origins differently
Connecticut: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
Delaware: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
District of Columbia: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
Maine: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
Maryland: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
Massachusetts: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
Michigan: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
New Hampshire: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
New Jersey: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
New York: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
Pennsylvania: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
Rhode Island: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
Vermont: Conditional . Because of gypsy moth, plants and plant parts leaving this state need a federal certificate on top of the shipping certificate, or the shield that stands in for one.
Nursery stock shipped into Oregon must meet the following requirements: Be free of pests, diseases, and noxious weeds. Be accompanied by a shipping certificate issued by a state regulatory official for the state of origin.
Oregon has quarantines that apply to most incoming plant material. These quarantines may be specific to species, pathogens, or insect pests. All plants coming into Oregon must: Be in compliance with Oregon's quarantines Be shipped with all required Quarantine Certificates issued by the state of origin
Importing Plant Material, Oregon Department of Agriculture · Importing Plant Material, Oregon Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
No data
What Oregon 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
Oregon Labeling & Certification Law states that all nursery stock and other plant material shipped into or within Oregon must be accompanied by a nursery stock certificate and/ or the required permits or tags of the state of origin, and be free from injurious pests, diseases, and noxious weeds.
Each unit (container, bundle, cargo box, etc.) must show that it contains nursery stock, seedlings, other plant material, or seeds, and must be conspicuously marked with the name and address of the shipper and consignee
Quick Guide Table of Oregon Quarantines (2022), Oregon Department of Agriculture · Quick Guide Table of Oregon Quarantines (2022), Oregon Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
No data
What Oregon 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
Oregon Labeling & Certification Law states that all nursery stock and other plant material shipped into or within Oregon must be accompanied by a nursery stock certificate and/ or the required permits or tags of the state of origin, and be free from injurious pests, diseases, and noxious weeds.
Each unit (container, bundle, cargo box, etc.) must show that it contains nursery stock, seedlings, other plant material, or seeds, and must be conspicuously marked with the name and address of the shipper and consignee
Quick Guide Table of Oregon Quarantines (2022), Oregon Department of Agriculture · Quick Guide Table of Oregon Quarantines (2022), Oregon Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026
Firewood
Conditional
- Treatment
- Certificate
- Permit
Firewood needs a shipping permit and a certificate showing it was treated or checked. Whole or split logs under 48 inches count; wood bricks and pellets don't.
You'd need: Shipping permit · Treatment certificate, or a state health certificate for the wood
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 All tree species used for fuel Whole or split logs less than 48" in length; Not including wood bricks, pellets, and other processed wood products used for fuel AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY No Shipping permit and Treatment certificate
Quick Guide Table of Oregon Quarantines (2022), Oregon Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026
Hay & straw
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: What Oregon publishes about hay and straw 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)
Oregon treats 6 origins differently
Alabama: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Florida: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Georgia: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Louisiana: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Mississippi: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
South Carolina: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Oregon Labeling & Certification Law states that all nursery stock and other plant material shipped into or within Oregon must be accompanied by a nursery stock certificate and/ or the required permits or tags of the state of origin, and be free from injurious pests, diseases, and noxious weeds.
Each unit (container, bundle, cargo box, etc.) must show that it contains nursery stock, seedlings, other plant material, or seeds, and must be conspicuously marked with the name and address of the shipper and consignee
Quick Guide Table of Oregon Quarantines (2022), Oregon Department of Agriculture · Quick Guide Table of Oregon Quarantines (2022), Oregon Department of Agriculture · checked 14 Sep 2026
Soil & compost
Conditional
- Certificate
Soil, compost, humus and manure can carry Japanese beetle, so they have to be certified under the Japanese beetle plan before coming in. Shop-bought bagged potting mix is the exception.
You'd need: Certificate under the Japanese beetle 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)
Oregon treats 6 origins differently
Alabama: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Florida: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Georgia: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Louisiana: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
Mississippi: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
South Carolina: Conditional . Because of imported fire ants, plants in soil, sod, hay and straw leaving this state need a federal certificate as well.
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 Oregon are Oregon Department of Agriculture.