Can I Bring My Plants?

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
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What Tennessee asks for

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

Houseplants in every state

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

Potted plants in soil in every state

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

Citrus trees in every state

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

Other fruit trees in every state

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

Nursery stock & shrubs in every state

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

Cut flowers & bouquets in every state

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

Seeds & bulbs in every state

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

Firewood in every state

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

Hay & straw in every state

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

Soil & compost in every state

Still stuck? The people who answer this in Tennessee are Tennessee Department of Agriculture.