Moving to Tennessee
Can I bring my plants into Tennessee?
Tennessee wants plants to travel with a copy of a licence or certificate saying they look pest-free. Fire ant rules add soil, compost, hay and straw, and out-of-state firewood has to be heat-treated.
- Checked Sep 2026
What Tennessee 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 & strawConditional
- Soil & compostSoil & compostConditional
4 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 Tennessee 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 shall not sell, offer for sale, or transport a plant in commerce unless the plant or its shipment is accompanied by a copy of a valid license or certificate from a duly authorized federal or state regulatory official, affirming the plant is apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Unless otherwise stated, all licenses issued under this chapter shall serve as certification that plants and plant parts sold or held by the licensee are apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · 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 Tennessee 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 sell, offer for sale, or transport a plant in commerce unless the plant or its shipment is accompanied by a copy of a valid license or certificate from a duly authorized federal or state regulatory official, affirming the plant is apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Unless otherwise stated, all licenses issued under this chapter shall serve as certification that plants and plant parts sold or held by the licensee are apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · 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 Tennessee 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 sell, offer for sale, or transport a plant in commerce unless the plant or its shipment is accompanied by a copy of a valid license or certificate from a duly authorized federal or state regulatory official, affirming the plant is apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Unless otherwise stated, all licenses issued under this chapter shall serve as certification that plants and plant parts sold or held by the licensee are apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · checked 14 Sep 2026
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 Tennessee 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 sell, offer for sale, or transport a plant in commerce unless the plant or its shipment is accompanied by a copy of a valid license or certificate from a duly authorized federal or state regulatory official, affirming the plant is apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Unless otherwise stated, all licenses issued under this chapter shall serve as certification that plants and plant parts sold or held by the licensee are apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · checked 14 Sep 2026
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 Tennessee 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)
A person shall not sell, offer for sale, or transport a plant in commerce unless the plant or its shipment is accompanied by a copy of a valid license or certificate from a duly authorized federal or state regulatory official, affirming the plant is apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Unless otherwise stated, all licenses issued under this chapter shall serve as certification that plants and plant parts sold or held by the licensee are apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
No data
What Tennessee 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 shall not sell, offer for sale, or transport a plant in commerce unless the plant or its shipment is accompanied by a copy of a valid license or certificate from a duly authorized federal or state regulatory official, affirming the plant is apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Unless otherwise stated, all licenses issued under this chapter shall serve as certification that plants and plant parts sold or held by the licensee are apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · checked 14 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
No data
What Tennessee 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 sell, offer for sale, or transport a plant in commerce unless the plant or its shipment is accompanied by a copy of a valid license or certificate from a duly authorized federal or state regulatory official, affirming the plant is apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Unless otherwise stated, all licenses issued under this chapter shall serve as certification that plants and plant parts sold or held by the licensee are apparently free of pests, pest plants, and disease.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-06-01-.03: License, Certificate, and Packing Requirements · checked 14 Sep 2026
Firewood
Conditional
- Treatment
- Certificate
Firewood from out of state can't come in unless it's been certified, heat-treated and properly labelled.
You'd need: Certification of heat treatment, with labelling
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 Tennessee prohibits the entry of out-of-state firewood unless it has been certified, heat-treated and is properly labeled.
TN 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
Tennessee's fire ant rules cover hay and straw, so they need a certificate that meets the USDA's Imported Fire Ant Program manual.
You'd need: A certificate that meets the USDA's Imported Fire Ant Program 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 Program manual.
Imported fire ant in any life stage, soil, compost, decomposed manure, humus, peat, plants with roots with soil attached, hay, straw, used mechanized soil moving equipment and any other means of conveyance.
Tennessee: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations (National Plant Board) · Tennessee: 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
Tennessee's fire ant rules cover soil and compost, so they need a certificate that meets the USDA's Imported Fire Ant Program manual.
You'd need: A certificate that meets the USDA's Imported Fire Ant Program 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)
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)
Certification guidelines are those listed in the USDA, APHIS, PPQ Imported Fire Ant Program manual.
Imported fire ant in any life stage, soil, compost, decomposed manure, humus, peat, plants with roots with soil attached, hay, straw, used mechanized soil moving equipment and any other means of conveyance.
Tennessee: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations (National Plant Board) · Tennessee: Summary of Plant Protection Regulations (National Plant Board) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Still stuck? The people who answer this in Tennessee are Tennessee Department of Agriculture.