label Move
Live plants can't go into a storage unit, so move them with you, leave them with someone or give them away. Garden tools, empty pots, hoses and garden furniture store well once cleaned and fully dry. Drain fuel from petrol equipment and use up or give away fertilisers, pesticides and soil. Self Storage India offers private, lockable rooms with 24/7 CCTV, regular pest control and monthly plans with no lock-in.
- Can you keep live plants in a storage unit?
- How do you decide what to keep, store or give away?
- How should you clean garden tools before storage?
- How do you pack empty pots and planters?
- What about hoses, sprinklers and watering cans?
- How should you prepare a lawn mower or power tools?
- What do you do with fertiliser, pesticides and soil?
- How should garden items sit in the unit?
- How do you plan a garden for the new flat?
- What mistakes damage garden items in storage?
- Why use self storage for garden items during a move?
- Garden storage checklist
- FAQs
- Sources and notes
Moving flats in Delhi NCR often means deciding what happens to a balcony garden: pots, planters, tools, hoses and the plants themselves. Tools and empty pots store well if you clean and dry them first. Live plants are different. They can't go into a storage unit, so they need a separate plan. This guide covers both, so nothing in your garden gets lost or ruined in the move.
Can you keep live plants in a storage unit?
No. Living things, including plants, are on the list of items that can't be stored. A closed room has no sunlight or watering, so a plant would die and the wet soil could bring damp, mould and insects into the room. See what can and cannot be stored for the full list.
That leaves a few practical options for the plants:
- Move them with you if the new flat has a balcony or a sunny window.
- Leave them with a neighbour, friend or relative who has space and will water them.
- Give them away to your society's garden, a neighbour or a local plant group.
- Take cuttings of a favourite plant and grow it again later.
How do you decide what to keep, store or give away?
| Item | Usual choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Live potted plants | Move with you, or leave with someone | They can't go into storage |
| Empty terracotta, ceramic or plastic pots | Store, if you'll garden again | Bulky but easy to store once clean |
| Hand tools (trowel, pruner, fork) | Store or carry | Small, and fine once cleaned and dry |
| Long tools (spade, rake, hoe) | Store | Awkward in a car, simple to stand in a unit |
| Hoses and watering cans | Store if dry | Must be fully drained first |
| Garden furniture | Store | Wipe down and dry before packing |
| Soil, compost and manure | Use up or give away | Damp and organic, so it attracts pests |
| Fertiliser, pesticide and plant sprays | Use up or dispose of safely | Chemicals aren't allowed in storage |
| Petrol lawn mower or trimmer | Store only after fuel and oil are drained | Fuel is a fire risk |
How should you clean garden tools before storage?
Soil holds moisture, and moisture leads to rust on metal and rot in wooden handles. Clean each tool before it is packed:
- Knock off loose soil, then scrub blades with a stiff brush and water.
- Dry every tool fully in the sun or with a cloth. Don't pack anything damp.
- Remove any rust spots with a wire brush or sandpaper.
- Wipe metal parts with a light coat of machine oil to slow rust.
- Check wooden handles for cracks. Sand rough spots and rub in a little linseed oil if the wood looks dry.
- Wrap sharp edges such as pruner blades, saws and shears in cardboard or an old cloth and tape it.
How do you pack empty pots and planters?
Empty every pot of soil and wash it. Old soil can carry insect eggs and fungus. Let pots dry for a day or two, since terracotta holds water longer than plastic.
- Terracotta and ceramic: wrap each pot in newspaper or bubble wrap. Nest smaller pots inside larger ones with paper between them, and pack them upright in a sturdy box.
- Plastic pots: stack them inside each other. They are light and can go near the top of a stack.
- Large planters: place them on the floor of the unit, upright, and use the space inside for light items like rolled hoses.
- Hanging baskets and stands: remove chains and hooks, bag them, and tape the bag to the stand.
Mark boxes of ceramic pots "Fragile" on every side. Our crockery packing guide has more on wrapping breakable items.
What about hoses, sprinklers and watering cans?
Drain hoses completely by laying them out on a slope, then coil them loosely. Tight coils can crack the hose over time. Tie the coil with string and place it in a bag or box. Empty watering cans and sprayers, rinse them and leave them open to dry before packing. Any water left inside can cause mould and a musty smell in the unit.
How should you prepare a lawn mower or power tools?
Fuel and oil are a fire risk, so petrol equipment must be drained before drop-off. For a petrol mower or trimmer, follow the maker's manual to empty the fuel tank and oil, then let it run until it stops. Clean grass from the blade and underside. For electric tools, unplug, clean and coil the cords. Remove batteries from cordless tools and keep them with you, or ask the team before storing them. Our storage rules cover fuel and chemicals.
What do you do with fertiliser, pesticides and soil?
Garden chemicals, including fertilisers, pesticides and plant sprays, can't be stored. Use them up before you move, give unopened packs to a neighbour who gardens, or follow local rules for safe disposal. Don't pour them down a drain.
Bags of soil, compost and manure are damp and organic. They attract insects and can make a room smell. Spread them on a building garden, give them away or use them up before the move. You can buy fresh potting mix when you set up a garden again.
How should garden items sit in the unit?
- Stand long tools upright in a tall box, a bin or a corner, handles up, so they don't fall.
- Keep metal tools off the floor on a pallet or plank, in case of damp.
- Put boxes of pots on the bottom of a stack, and keep light items on top.
- Keep garden furniture near the back if you won't need it soon.
- Leave a path if you plan to visit. See how to lay out a storage unit.
In the monsoon, add silica gel packs to boxes of metal tools and check our monsoon storage tips.
How do you plan a garden for the new flat?
Before you take everything out of storage, check the new balcony. Note how much sun it gets, whether the society allows heavy planters, and where water will drain. Many societies have rules about pots on railings. Bring out only what fits, and leave the rest in storage until you know what works. A list of everything you stored, with photos, makes this easier. Our storage inventory guide shows how to make one.
What mistakes damage garden items in storage?
- Packing tools with soil still on them. Soil stays damp and rusts blades within weeks.
- Leaving water in hoses or cans. Trapped water causes mould and smells.
- Stacking heavy boxes on clay pots. Terracotta cracks under weight. Keep pot boxes at the bottom with light items above.
- Sealing wooden handles in plastic. Wood needs some air. Wrap in cloth or paper instead.
- Bringing "just one" plant or bag of soil. Even a small amount of wet soil can bring insects into the room.
Why use self storage for garden items during a move?
- Private, lockable rooms with 24/7 CCTV.
- Regular pest control.
- Monthly plans with no lock-in, which suits a short gap between flats.
- Partner pickup, packing and transport across Delhi NCR at an additional cost. See how pickup works.
Facilities are in Noida, Delhi and Gurugram. Estimate space with the storage calculator, then click "Get Free Quote". If you're moving between rented flats, read our guide to storage between rented flats.
Garden storage checklist
- Plan for live plants: move, leave with someone or give away
- Soil emptied from every pot
- Pots washed and dried
- Tools scrubbed, dried and lightly oiled
- Sharp edges wrapped
- Hoses and cans drained and dried
- Fuel and oil drained from petrol equipment
- Batteries removed from cordless tools
- Fertilisers, pesticides and soil used up or given away
- Fragile pots boxed and labelled
- Inventory and photos made
- Quote requested
Disclaimer: this article gives general guidance. Follow the maker's manual for power tools and local rules for disposing of garden chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Living things, including plants, can't be stored. Move them with you or leave them with someone who can care for them.
Clean off soil, dry them fully and wipe metal parts with a light coat of oil. Keep them off the floor.
Yes, once the fuel and oil are drained as per the maker's manual.
No. Garden chemicals aren't allowed. Use them up or dispose of them safely.
No. Plans are monthly with no lock-in.
Click Get Free Quote for a callback, or call +91-9090206090.
Sources and notes
Checked 1 Nov 2026.
- Unit features, plans and pickup: Self Storage India home page.
- Prohibited items: what can and cannot be stored.
- Power tools: follow the maker’s manual.
