In article , Hope Munro
Smith wrote:

Hello,

My husband and I are relocating to California from Texas, and we are
getting contradictory information about whether or which plants we can take
with us. My understanding is that you can take houseplants that have not
spent time outdoors or at least don't have any critters like fire ants in
them. Does anyone have experience with the border check point and what the
procedure is? I don't want to bring a bunch of plants and then have them
thrown out at the border, I'd rather give them away. Thanks for your help!

until soon, Hope

See if you can have your plants inspected by an ag agent before you leave TX.
The plants need to be insect and disease free. It's not a big deal, but bringing
new bugs/diseases into Calif. could be. The ag agent would probably give you
a piece of paper that says your plants are clean.

Yes, the border cops in Calif. will ask you about plants. They're trying to keep
bugs/diseases out of the state. It's a big deal, since California is the
food basket
of America.

The last time I drove into Canada from Washington state, they took away a bag
of #1 non-certified potatos. They're trying to keep the potato blight out
of Canada,
and it's present in WA state. (That's the spud blight that caused a
million Irish to
starve to death, and another 1.6 million to move to America in the 1880's. Two
pairs of my great-grandparents left Ireland because of the pratie famine. Our
family who stayed behind all died of starvation.)

Take the plant inspection stuff seriously, because it *is* serious. Don't import
anything with bugs or disease. Call your state ag dept. and ask for an
inspection
or ask them what procedure they recommend. You may be able to ask the border
guys in Calif. for an inspection.

Jan