How to water indoor plants on holiday
Taking care of indoor plants and watching them grow and thrive is such a satisfying feeling. But what happens if you go on holiday? How do you keep up your watering schedule - especially if you’re gone for 2 weeks or more? Don’t panic! There are plenty of options for keeping your plants hydrated when you’re away.
Whether you invite a friend or family member round to take care of them or just buy plants that barely need watering at all, we’ve got a bunch of great tips in this guide to help you!
Water wicking
Water wicking is a pretty old fashioned trick but it works. And that’s the most important thing. This method can water multiple plants at the same time and is great if you’re away between 1-3 weeks. For this, all you need to do is fill a vase or a bucket with water (the longer you’re away the bigger the container should be). Then, cut a length of cotton rope or twine, making sure it’s long enough to fit between the bottom of the container and the soil of your plant.
Push one end of the cotton a few inches below the soil close to the plant and rest the other end right at the bottom of the water container. The cotton rope will then slowly wick water from the container and into your plant pot so there is a constant level of moisture. You can use several ropes in the same water container for more plants. Just make sure you don’t place the water near direct sunlight or it might evaporate!
DIY water drip system
If you’ve recently enjoyed a delicious bottle of wine, don’t throw away the bottle! Because believe it or not, it can be used to water your plants. The drip system is ideal if you’re going away for a short time, like for a relaxing break over a long weekend (you definitely deserve it), and have some very fussy plants that like to be watered every day.
Firstly wash out the wine bottle, (if you have smaller plants then a small water bottle will work just as well), and fill it up to the neck with water. Then, take the cap and remove the plastic film that’s usually found inside, you may need some pliers to do this if it feels extra tough. With a nail and a hammer create 5 mini holes in the cap, be careful you don’t warp it though! Next, dig a hole in the soil of your plant, pop the cap on the bottle, turn it upside down and quickly place it into the hole. Make sure the soil covers up all the holes and the water will then slowly leak out of the bottle as the soil dries.
Put them in the bathtub or shower
If your plants have well-draining pots, then you can treat them to a nice, long bath while you’re away. Keeping your plants in the bath is perfect for plants that don’t need a lot of sunlight but enjoy humid environments like tropical plants. This method is a good one to use if you’re going to be away for a week, any longer than that and the plants might suffer.
Fill up your bathtub, or a sink if you have smaller plants, with just a couple inches of water. Lay a towel out over the water (stick with us here) and then place your plants on top of the towel. This prevents the plant pots from damaging the bathtub or the sink. The soil will draw the water up to the roots and keep your plant relaxed and hydrated.
Ask a friend
If you have a friend nearby or get on well with your neighbours, you could ask them to come round and water your plants for you. Of course, you may need to sweeten the deal and let them raid your fridge while they’re there, but it’ll be worth it when you come home to happy plants! And make sure you offer to return the favour whenever they go away too.
If your friend or neighbour is a plant novice, leave them a note explaining exactly how to care for each plant. Remember, what may seem obvious to you might not be for them, so include as much detail as possible.
Plant watering irrigation system
If you have the budget for it, you can get yourself a fancy looking irrigation system that will take care of all your plants' watering needs quickly and easily! This is perfect for plant parents who worry a lot, or if you’ll be away for more than 3 weeks at a time.
An irrigation system, which can be used for both indoor and outdoor plants, will allow for a controlled amount of water to reach your plants at specific times every day. It’s a very hassle-free way of watering your plants while on holiday and can be used over and over if you’re someone who travels a lot.
Top low maintenance plants
A lot of plants are able to stay bright and cheery, even when they’re left for a few weeks. So, if creating a watering system isn’t something you want to do, try building your collection with these low maintenance plants instead:
Take a look at some of the best indoor house plants to either surprise someone with or just treat yourself to!
If you’ve recently become the proud owner of a plant, check out our complete plant care guide full of all the tips and advice you’ll need to know.