Going thru the Airport with a Plant

greenthumbomaha · March 7, 2021

I don't remember this being discussed or never had need to pay attention ...

My son is having spring vacation with friends in San Diego (one is an ICU nurse, nuff said about this). Two of the ladies like flower gardening.
Perhaps they wander past a garden center (at my suggestion) Would they be able to carry a plant onboard, or are there restrictions? How would this count towards their carry on baggage allowance? Any tips on travel or unusual nurseries in the area?

Lisa

shatbox · March 8, 2021

The Carlsbad flower fields are within a half hour/ hour drive from downtown SD. Armstrong Garden Centers is a local chain that have a nice assortment of what grows locally. I think Ace Mega Succulents will really give you that surf, van life vibe souvenir that screams SoCal (EDIT: Call ahead for the location and a appointment, no walk ins due to covid). Plus succulents can be small and be stashed in a carry on. I never had a problem transporting plants on domestic flights in carry on.

Scooty · March 8, 2021

Quote:

Originally Posted by shatbox

The Carlsbad flower fields are within a half hour/ hour drive from downtown SD. Armstrong Garden Centers is a local chain that have a nice assortment of what grows locally. I think Ace Mega Succulents will really give you that surf, van life vibe souvenir that screams SoCal (EDIT: Call ahead for the location and a appointment, no walk ins due to covid). Plus succulents can be small and be stashed in a carry on. I never had a problem transporting plants on domestic flights in carry on.

So long as its not one of the quarantined items like citrus, I don't see why getting out of Cali should be a problem.

ScottinAtlanta · March 8, 2021

I never had a problem on domestic flights, either.

International can be a problem, but I regularly took bags of tulip bulbs to Baghdad, and they never had an issue. Of course, they were fighting a major insurgency at the time, so they were a bit distracted.

greenthumbomaha · March 8, 2021

Thanks. for the list. I sent a text with the info an we'll see if they go plant shopping.I did get a short video of a sea otter in return, was not expecting that!

Lisa

bjbebs · March 9, 2021

Just got back from AZ. In my backpack, inside a paper sack I brought bare root jade plant cuttings, barely rooted tomato plants and a cell pack of pepper plants. I've done this a few times. After getting thru TSA the sack comes out and gets organized. Flew out of St.Louis and smaller regional airports. Usually no questions asked. Coming out of Boston, headed home after a wedding with a potted plant. Got thru TSA but was told no go at the gate. No argument, boarded without the plant. That's the last time we flew Delta.

Tormato · March 9, 2021

If I went through an airport with Robert, we'd be late for the flight, him being hounded for autographs.

March 7, 2021	#1
greenthumbomaha Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha Zone 5 Posts: 2,514	Going thru the Airport with a Plant I don't remember this being discussed or never had need to pay attention ... My son is having spring vacation with friends in San Diego (one is an ICU nurse, nuff said about this). Two of the ladies like flower gardening. Perhaps they wander past a garden center (at my suggestion) Would they be able to carry a plant onboard, or are there restrictions? How would this count towards their carry on baggage allowance? Any tips on travel or unusual nurseries in the area? Lisa

March 8, 2021	#2
shatbox Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles County, CA Posts: 258	The Carlsbad flower fields are within a half hour/ hour drive from downtown SD. Armstrong Garden Centers is a local chain that have a nice assortment of what grows locally. I think Ace Mega Succulents will really give you that surf, van life vibe souvenir that screams SoCal (EDIT: Call ahead for the location and a appointment, no walk ins due to covid). Plus succulents can be small and be stashed in a carry on. I never had a problem transporting plants on domestic flights in carry on. Last edited by shatbox; March 8, 2021 at 01:13 AM. Reason: links

March 8, 2021	#4
ScottinAtlanta Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,593	I never had a problem on domestic flights, either. International can be a problem, but I regularly took bags of tulip bulbs to Baghdad, and they never had an issue. Of course, they were fighting a major insurgency at the time, so they were a bit distracted.

March 9, 2021	#6
bjbebs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: illinois Posts: 281	Just got back from AZ. In my backpack, inside a paper sack I brought bare root jade plant cuttings, barely rooted tomato plants and a cell pack of pepper plants. I've done this a few times. After getting thru TSA the sack comes out and gets organized. Flew out of St.Louis and smaller regional airports. Usually no questions asked. Coming out of Boston, headed home after a wedding with a potted plant. Got thru TSA but was told no go at the gate. No argument, boarded without the plant. That's the last time we flew Delta.

March 9, 2021	#7
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	If I went through an airport with Robert, we'd be late for the flight, him being hounded for autographs.