Roaches eat decomposing matter so if your pots have organic matter in them, it's possible to have roaches in them. Submerging the entire pot in water will cause the roaches to evacuate but there may be eggs in the soil. If you see roaches evacuate upon submersion, you may want to repot the plants, rinsing the roots well before going back into new soil. If the pots are on the ground, the chances of having roaches in them is much higher. I don't use chemicals but I'm sure you'll get advice in that direction also if that's what you're after.

It's so warm in NOLA, maybe your plants can stay outside permanently.

I think watching to see if they come out during submersion is a good indicator to re-pot, I don't know why it always takes someone else to point out the obvious, but thank you for doing it.

I am keeping a good number of plants outside already, but I love having some inside, too. I'm excited, though, to see what I'll be able to grow in this weather that wouldn't have worked in Nashville.

EEEK! I hate to say this, but I'll bet you already know that those darned roached can hide like crazy in your packing boxes. I'd be prepared with plenty of boric acid powder and roach hotels. Moving them with your plants shouldn't be your biggest worry.

Purple's suggestion of soaking them is a good one, and be sure you clean off any leaf debris that may have accumulated on top. Be on the lookout for those little egg cases.

Jenny, one other thing. How will the insecticide your new landlord uses affect your plants?
Do you know if he plans on using spray, powder or a bomb?

You said you had quite a few plants, but I'd follow Purple's advice.
There are chemical insecticides that kill roaches in soil, or wherever they congregate, but you don't want to breath too many chemicals. Same with pets,if you have any.

Rhizo made a great point, too. Check boxes before packing, then get them out of the house, ASAP. Place in your car if you have to. All it takes is one female roach.

Repotting will be a lot of work, but worth it in the end. Good luck, Toni

Thanks to everyone for their advice; I had to go internet free for a few days, but I'm now about to move the bulk of my stuff into the new place and I really appreciate the tips.

The landlord exterminated the new place, and there were plenty of dead roaches laying around afterwards. He had a professional come and do it, and they used the powder. Unfortunately, I saw one roach still roaming around, but either the extermination just hadn't affected him yet, or more likely, it isn't going to. I'm using as many plastic crates as I have to move most of the stuff, and just trying to get the cardboard boxes out of the new place as soon as I can, but it's frustrating to think/know that despite all of these efforts, I'll likely still have to cohabitate with the only bugs I really can't stand. I'll clean off my plants the best I can with soaking and a couple of re-pots, but the best route might be to stay on the landlord to keep the exterminator coming back monthly for a little while.

Thanks again for all the help!

I've read that putting house plants in trays lined with petroleum jelly around the edge will keep roaches from accessing the pots where they will surely find water and organic material for consumption. I am going to try this method tonight and will post in a few months on the success or failure of this approach.

Though they generally prefer running to flying,I wonder if they'd give a few wing-flaps if/when confronted with a petroleum barrier.

Does anyone know if Neem oil has any efficacy against roaches?

If it does, maybe unpotting everything and soaking the plants in a neem oil solution would help reduce the risk of carrying bugs/eggs to a new home.

(I know the original post in this thead is old, but I still think it is educational)