We're going to be moving next year to another part of the US and have a number of house plants we'd want to take with us. I assume that sending them with the mover is not the best idea (I doubt movers guarantee they'll stay alive), so figure we'll pack them up in the back of the SUV for the total 2 day drive (likely made in spring or summer so low overnight temps shouldn't be an issue). Most of them are small and can be boxed up, but the one I'm concerned about is the big snake plant in the photo. The pot is 21" tall but it's not filled completely with soil ... we used a planter insert which (I think) fit in about the middle of the pot, so soil in the top half only. Adding the tallest leaf takes the total height to about 71" tall. So trying to figure out the best way to get this to our new home.

I thought about laying it on its side and wrapping it in a plastic tarp to catch any soil that spills out, but is there another option which would be less stress on the plant? Thanks!

When we moved (only 110 miles) from one location to another, I crunched up newspaper and stuffed it into the top of the planter pots and then used painters tape (very easy to remove) and taped over the entire top of the pot which prevented soil loss. For tall plants being transported in the back of an SUV, the pots can be placed on their side and other items can be packed securely around them to secure them from rolling around during transport.

Many states have strict rules and regulations regarding importation of live plant material and some may require state agricultural inspections of any plants coming into the state. Due to those types of issues, I don't know if moving companies will even agree to move plants.

I find snake plants like that to be very tough. I would not flinch at putting it on its side. I like Lin's idea for keeping the soil in place.

Movers don't take plants, animals, hazardous materials and a whole list of other chemicals, fuel, ammunition, fireworks or any other explosives, but they will pack your garbage and take that for ya

Anyway, having just moved way too many houseplants, including the housetrees, shrubs, and vines, I would add that a roll of shrink wrap comes in handy to coral the top growth into a loose sleeve of sorts, keeps them from getting tangled in each other and breaking branches/leaves. Stack-able crates work great for the smaller stuff, they breath and you can bungee them together and in place, helps to pack tight or inter-pack with something for shifting, layer where you can and top-pack with something breathable and compressible yet firm for the bouncing (like shredded crinkle paper or Excelsior or the like).
My honey came up with an ingenious method to transport the hanging plants hanging so we didn't have to disturb them too much, but it wasn't in the back of an SUV.

Agree with all of the above. You won't hurt your snake plant at all handling it very roughly. Or if you trim the tallest leaves off.

Thanks for all the great feedback! 🙂👍