Can I Bring My Plants?

Moving to Virginia

Can I bring my plants into Virginia?

Virginia's inspection-certificate law reaches nursery stock offered for sale or distribution — trees, shrubs, fruit and nut trees moved by nurseries and dealers — and it can still be checked once it's there; what it means for someone driving their own plants over the state line isn't something we've found spelled out, so check the categories below. Houseplants and cut flowers are excluded from the rule outright, and firewood is the strict one.

  • Checked Sep 2026
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What Virginia asks for

6 of these change depending on where you're leaving. Pick a state to see which.

Plant by plant

Houseplants (no outdoor soil)

Fine

Virginia leaves out florist and greenhouse plants meant to live indoors, and that's your houseplant. Nothing has to travel with it.

Source & details
Unless designated by the Board, nursery stock shall not include florist or greenhouse plants for inside culture or use.
means all trees, shrubs, woody vines (including ornamentals), bush fruits, grapevines, fruit trees, and nut trees offered for sale and distribution; all buds, grafts, scions, and cuttings from such plants; and any container, soil, and other packing material with such plants or plant products
It is unlawful to knowingly deliver, send, ship, or transport nursery stock within or into the Commonwealth without an inspection certificate clearly attached to each carload, truckload, box, bale, or package.

Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · 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 Virginia 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)

It is unlawful to knowingly deliver, send, ship, or transport nursery stock within or into the Commonwealth without an inspection certificate clearly attached to each carload, truckload, box, bale, or package.
Nursery stock brought into the Commonwealth under an inspection certificate may be sold and moved by a licensed nurseryman or dealer or agent, but this shall not preclude inspection at any time within the Commonwealth.
own, fumigated, treated, packed, stored, or otherwise prepared for sale or distribution. "Nursery stock" means all trees, shrubs, woody vines (including ornamentals), bush fruits, grapevines, fruit trees, and nut trees offered for sale and distribution; all buds, grafts, scions, and cuttings from such plants; and any container, soil, and other packing material with such plants or plant products. It shall also mean herbaceous p

Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia Code - Chapter 38. Plants and Plant Products Inspection · 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 Virginia 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)

It is unlawful to knowingly deliver, send, ship, or transport nursery stock within or into the Commonwealth without an inspection certificate clearly attached to each carload, truckload, box, bale, or package.
Nursery stock brought into the Commonwealth under an inspection certificate may be sold and moved by a licensed nurseryman or dealer or agent, but this shall not preclude inspection at any time within the Commonwealth.
own, fumigated, treated, packed, stored, or otherwise prepared for sale or distribution. "Nursery stock" means all trees, shrubs, woody vines (including ornamentals), bush fruits, grapevines, fruit trees, and nut trees offered for sale and distribution; all buds, grafts, scions, and cuttings from such plants; and any container, soil, and other packing material with such plants or plant products. It shall also mean herbaceous plants (including str

Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia Code - Chapter 38. Plants and Plant Products Inspection · 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 Virginia 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)

It is unlawful to knowingly deliver, send, ship, or transport nursery stock within or into the Commonwealth without an inspection certificate clearly attached to each carload, truckload, box, bale, or package.
Nursery stock brought into the Commonwealth under an inspection certificate may be sold and moved by a licensed nurseryman or dealer or agent, but this shall not preclude inspection at any time within the Commonwealth.
own, fumigated, treated, packed, stored, or otherwise prepared for sale or distribution. "Nursery stock" means all trees, shrubs, woody vines (including ornamentals), bush fruits, grapevines, fruit trees, and nut trees offered for sale and distribution; all buds, grafts, scions, and cuttings from such plants; and any container, soil, and other packing material with such plants or plant products. It shall also mean herbaceous p

Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia Code - Chapter 38. Plants and Plant Products Inspection · 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 Virginia 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)

It is unlawful to knowingly deliver, send, ship, or transport nursery stock within or into the Commonwealth without an inspection certificate clearly attached to each carload, truckload, box, bale, or package.
Nursery stock brought into the Commonwealth under an inspection certificate may be sold and moved by a licensed nurseryman or dealer or agent, but this shall not preclude inspection at any time within the Commonwealth.

Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · checked 14 Sep 2026

Nursery stock & shrubs in every state

Cut flowers & bouquets

Fine

Virginia leaves florist plants meant for indoor use out of its rules, so a bouquet needs nothing.

Source & details
Unless designated by the Board, nursery stock shall not include florist or greenhouse plants for inside culture or use.
It is unlawful to knowingly deliver, send, ship, or transport nursery stock within or into the Commonwealth without an inspection certificate clearly attached to each carload, truckload, box, bale, or package.

Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Cut flowers & bouquets in every state

Seeds & bulbs

Fine

Virginia's rules cover trees, shrubs, vines and fruit or nut trees, not seeds. Bulbs are only pulled in if the state decides a particular one needs controlling.

Source & details
"Nursery stock" means all trees, shrubs, woody vines (including ornamentals), bush fruits, grapevines, fruit trees, and nut trees offered for sale and distribution; all buds, grafts, scions, and cuttings from such plants; and any container, soil, and other packing material with such plants or plant products.
It shall also mean herbaceous plants (including strawberry plants, narcissus plants, and narcissus bulbs) if the Board determines that controlling the movement of such plants or bulbs is necessary to control any plant pest.

Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out

Seeds & bulbs in every state

Firewood

Not allowed

  • Treatment
  • Permit

Firewood from an area with a pest problem can't come into Virginia without heat-treatment paperwork or a permit. Spongy moth and fire ant are the pests behind it.

You'd need: Heat-treatment paperwork, or the right permit

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)

it is illegal to bring firewood into or out of Virginia from quarantined areas without the proper heat-treatment documentation and/or permits.

VA 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

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 Virginia.

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)

Hay & straw in every state

Soil & compost

Depends

This one depends on where you are leaving from. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.

From most states: What Virginia publishes about soil and compost 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)

It is unlawful to knowingly deliver, send, ship, or transport nursery stock within or into the Commonwealth without an inspection certificate clearly attached to each carload, truckload, box, bale, or package.
means all trees, shrubs, woody vines (including ornamentals), bush fruits, grapevines, fruit trees, and nut trees offered for sale and distribution; all buds, grafts, scions, and cuttings from such plants; and any container, soil, and other packing material with such plants or plant products

Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · Code of Virginia, Title 3.2 Chapter 38: Plants and Plant Products Inspection · checked 14 Sep 2026

Soil & compost in every state

Still stuck? The people who answer this in Virginia are Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.