Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - July 29, 2008

From: Fort Walton Beach, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Plant Laws, Container Gardens
Title: Regulations for transporting plants to Texas from Florida
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

We are relocating to TX from FL, I have a collection of potted palm trees and quite a few potted tropical plants (none are invasive)that I would like to bring with us, we will be traveling by car and truck, is there any particular plants that are not allowed or laws prohibiting me from bringing them across state lines?

ANSWER:

There are, indeed, regulations about what plants you can move across state lines and into Texas. First of all, you can visit the National Plant Board Laws and Regulation page to find the regulations for each state. The Texas Summary of Plant Protection Regulations has an extensive list of plants that are prohibited because of disease, possibility of insect or other pest infestation, or invasiveness. Any kind of citrus importation is strictly prohibited. More relevant to your interests, however, is the section on "Lethal Yellowing" which involves a large number of palm trees. Also, one new pest of concern for plants from Florida is the red palm mite. I talked with Dr. Awinash Bhatkar, Coordinator for Plant Quality at the Texas Department of Agriculture, and he told me that generally plants that have been houseplants and only grown in artificial media (not grown in Florida soils) are not considered a threat. You can contact Dr. Bhatkar (512-463-5025 if you have further questions. Contact the Florida Department of Agriculture to have your plants inspected and certified as disease- and pest-free and you shouldn't have any problems moving your plants to Texas or through Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. You might also like to read the information and helpful advice from Rossiter Relocation Services about Moving with House Plants. Thank you for being responsible and conscientious about moving your plants.

 

More Non-Natives Questions

Non-flowering plants in Scottsdale AZ
July 01, 2013 - I have three plants that are supposed to do well in Arizona but mine are not flowering. The yellow bells and orange jubilee I have get full sun, drip watered 3 x a week for 1 1/2 hrs (at 4am) and are...
view the full question and answer

Weeds invading non-native Asian Jasmine in Dallas
April 26, 2011 - Weeds have invaded my Asian Jasmine. What can I do to kill the weeds and not the Asian Jasmine?
view the full question and answer

Plectranthus (native of South Africa) winter care and insects
September 26, 2007 - I was recently given a beautiful plant which is now in a pot in my yard. I live in Rochester, NY and need to know what to do with this plant in the fall. The plant is 'Mona Lavender' Plectranthus p...
view the full question and answer

Replacing St. Augustine with native grass in Austin
February 24, 2012 - We are renting a house our Sister-in-law owns- the St Augustine is in tough shape, drought and lack of care over the years. Could we plant a native grass or do we have to pull up the remaining St. Aug...
view the full question and answer

Can lantana be grown in British Columbia from Vernon BC
October 20, 2012 - Can I grow lantana in Vernon B.C. Canada?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.