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Andrée-Anne Frigon

It’s not easy being green!


What makes your house a home? Your pets? Your favourite chair? A special picture frame? Or perhaps a few plants? As you are getting ready to go back to Canada after 2, 3 or 4 years, what are you supposed to do with your beloved plant? Here are a few ideas:

  1. You can offer it as a gift to someone who marked your stay abroad. For example, to a close friend, as a way to stay connected and let them know that you will be thinking of them. Obviously, you have to make sure that the recipient of your plant actually enjoys them and has the time to care for them.

  2. You can also pass it on to another Canadian family in the community and ask the family to offer it to the next one when they get ready to leave. This way, you would be creating a fun mini-OUTCAN-tradition. Asking how your plant is doing is also a good “excuse” to keep in touch and stay connected with your old community. After a few years, who knows, your famous hand-me-down plant might end up with its own Instagram!

  3. You can donate your plant to a local school, daycare or library. Ask around in the community if anyone knows a teacher who would be interested in a new addition to their class. Gardening is trendy and caring for a plant is a great learning experience.

  4. You can post an ad in a local Facebook selling and trading group. Gifting plants to a member of your community is a nice gesture and a way to ensure that us foreigners continue to be welcomed and accepted as one of their own. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to perpetuate the stigma that Canadian people are just so nice!

  5. Lastly, if you are sentimentally attached to your plants, there might be a way to bring them home with you. You may not be able to ship them in your long-term shipment but there is a possibility you may be able to bring a few plants with you if they qualify and if you get the proper paperwork (i.e Import Permits and/or Phytosanitary Certificate).

You need to start by reviewing the Plant Protection Import Requirements for Plants and Plant Parts for Planting: D-08-04: Plant Protection Import Requirements for Plants and Plant Parts for Planting - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca)

Also consult Appendix 7 which offers information about eligible and non-eligible houseplants for personal use: Appendix 7: Houseplants for personal use (examples of eligible and non-eligible plants) - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca)

If you have further questions, you may contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s National Import Service Centre. National Import Service Centre - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca)

It may not be easy for Kermit to be green but it should be for your beloved plants!

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