Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to Vermont
Can I bring my plants into Vermont?
Vermont wants a certificate of inspection travelling with plants brought in to sell, give away or plant, and the nursery behind them licensed in its own state. Out-of-state firewood is the strict one.
- Checked Oct 2026
What Vermont 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 & bouquetsFine
- Seeds & bulbsSeeds & bulbsConditional
- FirewoodFirewoodConditional
- Hay & strawHay & strawDepends
- Soil & compostSoil & compostDepends
3 of these change depending on where you're leaving. Pick a state to see which.
Plant by plant
Houseplants (no outdoor soil)
Conditional
- Certificate
Plants grown under cover count here, houseplants included. One brought in to sell, give away or plant needs a certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving.
You'd need: Certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving, or a USDA inspector, saying the plants look free of pests and disease
Source & details
Nursery stock transported into this state for sale, distribution or installation shall be accompanied by a valid certificate of inspection, a reasonable facsimile, or other certification accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture from the state of origin, or a federal United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA, APHIS, PPQ) inspector, stating that the nursery stock is believed to be free of injurious pests or plant diseases. The certificate shall contain the name and mailing address of the consignor.
means all woody or herbaceous shrubs, trees, plants and vines, including bulbs and rhizomes as well as buds, grafts, scions and other parts capable of propagation whether wild, cultivated or grown under artificial covering or artificial conditions. This definition does not include cut flowers or seeds
Importing Plants to Vermont, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets · 20-009 Code Vt. R. 20-031-009-X: Regulations Relating to the Inspection of Nurseries · checked 14 Sep 2026
Potted plants in soil
Conditional
- Certificate
A potted plant counts here, woody or soft-stemmed. One brought in to sell, give away or plant needs a certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving.
You'd need: Certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving, or a USDA inspector, saying the plants look free of pests and disease
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)
Nursery stock transported into this state for sale, distribution or installation shall be accompanied by a valid certificate of inspection, a reasonable facsimile, or other certification accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture from the state of origin, or a federal United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA, APHIS, PPQ) inspector, stating that the nursery stock is believed to be free of injurious pests or plant diseases. The certificate shall contain the name and mailing address of the consignor.
means all woody or herbaceous shrubs, trees, plants and vines, including bulbs and rhizomes as well as buds, grafts, scions and other parts capable of propagation whether wild, cultivated or grown under artificial covering or artificial conditions. This definition does not include cut flowers or seeds
Importing Plants to Vermont, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets · 20-009 Code Vt. R. 20-031-009-X: Regulations Relating to the Inspection of Nurseries · checked 14 Sep 2026
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 counts here. One brought in to sell, give away or plant needs a certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving.
You'd need: Certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving, or a USDA inspector, saying the plants look free of pests and disease
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 transported into this state for sale, distribution or installation shall be accompanied by a valid certificate of inspection, a reasonable facsimile, or other certification accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture from the state of origin, or a federal United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA, APHIS, PPQ) inspector, stating that the nursery stock is believed to be free of injurious pests or plant diseases. The certificate shall contain the name and mailing address of the consignor.
means all woody or herbaceous shrubs, trees, plants and vines, including bulbs and rhizomes as well as buds, grafts, scions and other parts capable of propagation whether wild, cultivated or grown under artificial covering or artificial conditions. This definition does not include cut flowers or seeds
Importing Plants to Vermont, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets · 20-009 Code Vt. R. 20-031-009-X: Regulations Relating to the Inspection of Nurseries · checked 14 Sep 2026
Other fruit trees
Conditional
- Certificate
Fruit trees count here. One brought in to sell, give away or plant needs a certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving.
You'd need: Certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving, or a USDA inspector, saying the plants look free of pests and disease
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 transported into this state for sale, distribution or installation shall be accompanied by a valid certificate of inspection, a reasonable facsimile, or other certification accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture from the state of origin, or a federal United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA, APHIS, PPQ) inspector, stating that the nursery stock is believed to be free of injurious pests or plant diseases. The certificate shall contain the name and mailing address of the consignor.
means all woody or herbaceous shrubs, trees, plants and vines, including bulbs and rhizomes as well as buds, grafts, scions and other parts capable of propagation whether wild, cultivated or grown under artificial covering or artificial conditions. This definition does not include cut flowers or seeds
Importing Plants to Vermont, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets · 20-009 Code Vt. R. 20-031-009-X: Regulations Relating to the Inspection of Nurseries · checked 14 Sep 2026
Nursery stock & shrubs
Conditional
- Certificate
Anything from a nursery brought into Vermont to sell, give away or plant needs a certificate of inspection naming who sent it, and has to come from a nursery licensed where it is.
You'd need: Certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving, or a USDA inspector, naming who sent it
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)
Nursery stock transported into this state for sale, distribution or installation shall be accompanied by a valid certificate of inspection, a reasonable facsimile, or other certification accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture from the state of origin, or a federal United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA, APHIS, PPQ) inspector, stating that the nursery stock is believed to be free of injurious pests or plant diseases. The certificate shall contain the name and mailing address of the consignor.
All plants entering Vermont are required to originate from nurseries licensed by the state of origin.
Importing Plants to Vermont, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets · Importing Plants to Vermont, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
Fine
Cut flowers are written out of Vermont's rules by name, so a bouquet needs no certificate.
Source & details
means all woody or herbaceous shrubs, trees, plants and vines, including bulbs and rhizomes as well as buds, grafts, scions and other parts capable of propagation whether wild, cultivated or grown under artificial covering or artificial conditions. This definition does not include cut flowers or seeds
Nursery stock transported into this state for sale, distribution or installation shall be accompanied by a valid certificate of inspection, a reasonable facsimile, or other certification accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture from the state of origin, or a federal United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA, APHIS, PPQ) inspector, stating that the nursery stock is believed to be free of injurious pests or plant diseases. The certificate shall contain the name and mailing address of the consignor.
20-009 Code Vt. R. 20-031-009-X: Regulations Relating to the Inspection of Nurseries · Importing Plants to Vermont, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets · checked 14 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
Conditional
- Certificate
Bulbs and rhizomes count, and need a certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving. Seeds are written out by name.
You'd need: Certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving, or a USDA inspector, saying the plants look free of pests and disease
Source & details
Nursery stock transported into this state for sale, distribution or installation shall be accompanied by a valid certificate of inspection, a reasonable facsimile, or other certification accepted by the Secretary of Agriculture from the state of origin, or a federal United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA, APHIS, PPQ) inspector, stating that the nursery stock is believed to be free of injurious pests or plant diseases. The certificate shall contain the name and mailing address of the consignor.
means all woody or herbaceous shrubs, trees, plants and vines, including bulbs and rhizomes as well as buds, grafts, scions and other parts capable of propagation whether wild, cultivated or grown under artificial covering or artificial conditions. This definition does not include cut flowers or seeds
Importing Plants to Vermont, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets · 20-009 Code Vt. R. 20-031-009-X: Regulations Relating to the Inspection of Nurseries · checked 14 Sep 2026
Firewood
Conditional
- Treatment
- Certificate
Out-of-state firewood only comes into Vermont if it was certified heat-treated at an approved facility and labelled with the producer’s name and address. Nothing else is admissible.
You'd need: Label showing certified heat treatment, with the producer’s name and address
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)
Only firewood that has been certified heat-treated to 71° C (160° F) for 75 minutes at an approved treatment facility is allowed in, and it must be labeled as such with the producer’s name and address.
VT firewood rules, Don’t Move Firewood (The Nature Conservancy) · checked 2 Oct 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 Vermont.
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 Vermont.
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 Vermont are Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.