Jeff Dorman
How To Keep My Plants Watered While On Vacation – Vacation water tricks are easier than you think. Caring for houseplants while traveling doesn’t have to depend on your next door neighbor.
I am going on vacation for 4 weeks and I have houseplants that need watering.
How To Keep My Plants Watered While On Vacation
Outdoor plants that need water to survive. As I had no neighbors in the village, the prospect of rain was unreasonable, so I had to take matters into my own hands. Luckily for me, there are many ways to water your plants during the holidays.
How To Save Water In Your Garden
Indoor plants often have different needs to survive and thrive than their outdoor counterparts. But don’t worry! Below I share some great techniques for growing indoor and outdoor plants.
What we really want is for our plants to thrive in our absence, just to survive. That’s why I recommend feeding them a month in advance and trimming the leaves of well-grown plants a week before leaving so they use less water.
First, try these methods a few weeks before your trip. This is important
Even if you use one of these methods, be sure to water your plants well before you leave.
Watering Plants In Summer
Place gallon jugs or jars in water (size depends on how long you plan to leave), tie one end of string or twine and the other end around the plant’s soil. Water flows from the pitcher to the plant, keeping the soil moist while you’re away.
Make sure it works before you go. Sometimes the type of rope or material you use bends only partially…you may need to change the type of material (make sure it’s a natural fiber) or use a smaller wick to move the jar higher than the plant.
This is the simplest and most effective method I have found. It is suitable for many types of potted plants, both indoors and outdoors!
Thread cotton string through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot and place the pot in a deep/large container partially filled with water. The idea of building a small bench as a tall planter helps to choose one that is the same width but deeper than the other.
Tomorotec Glass Plant Self Watering Globes 2 Pack Clear Iridescent Diamond Plant Watering Devices, Faceted Pattern Self Watering Bulbs Planter Insert Decorative Vacation Watering Spikes For Plants
Or simply insert a perforated flower nest inside a non-perforated bench. If you can’t find an edge that will allow you to hang over a large chair, use something (a winch, can, small chair) to lift it high enough.
Best for: Moisture-loving indoor and outdoor plants. It can be used for long periods in most medium sized plants. I use this as my regular method of watering my plants, so I only water once a month.
Notice When using this method with a short thread, large plants will not absorb the required amount of water. For larger plants, increase the thread size and see if it works properly. Be careful not to do this with plants that are prone to root rot or require dry or sandy soil.
If you travel a lot, you can buy water cans as an investment or make your own! I’ve shared a complete tutorial on how to turn an existing bench into a self-watering planter.
Upgraded Diy Automatic Drip Irrigation Kit, 15 Potted Houseplants Support, Indoor Watering System For Plants, With Digital Programmable Water Timer
Suitable for: Outdoor plants, but can also be used for indoor plants. Especially plants that like to be watered from below.
Even your gardens can be adapted to “self-water”. You can use sub-irrigation techniques to water your plants from below. Here you can learn how to build self-watering raised gardens and you can use the same method for above ground gardens.
This is especially great if you are a low maintenance gardener but want a high maintenance crop. It takes some effort at first, but once done, you don’t have to worry anymore!
Some of my tropical plants love humidity and need a terrarium-like environment to thrive in my absence.
Iot Household Plant Watering System
Simply place the plant in two clean garbage bags (like this one), water the plant thoroughly, and tie the bag over the top of the plant. Punch enough holes in the top of the bag to allow for breathing and you’ve created a makeshift terrarium!
A more attractive option is a cap to cover the plant and a tray with about an inch of water for the plant to soak from below.
Notice Keep these “terrariums” out of direct sunlight or you will damage your plants. You can place them on an aluminum baking sheet or catch the excess water to prevent them from dripping.
You have seen all kinds of water cans and water systems made of terracotta + jug. These are great if you’re going out of town for a week or two and can be useful and cute and decorative!
How To Keep Your Plants Alive While You Are On Holiday!
Note: Watering will not work if the end of the bulb is empty. To prevent this, wrap it in snow before it gets dirty.
Water storage crystals are an additional measure and should be used with another irrigation method for best results. If you plan to be out of town for a month or more, add a second irrigation system and moisture-retaining crystals.
I have been using Miracle Grow water storage crystals and they seem to work well and I don’t need to water as often as I used to with my houseplants.
I’m sure when you read this you immediately think of a complicated and expensive drip system. It’s a great way to get gardening while the timer is on.
How To Keep Your Plants Alive When You Go On Holiday
Water your indoor plants! It can be scheduled or simply used to water the application on demand.
For your outdoor plants, this is self-explanatory. A few inches of mulch will help retain moisture in your garden and is great for a secondary irrigation system.
However, you can “mulch” houseplants by adding a layer of well-watered lawn grass or by placing a very damp cloth at the base of the plant and covering it with a plastic grocery bag.
Notice Moss can be kept and make a great addition to a potted plant! However, don’t leave the fabric or plastic wrap on for more than two weeks, or you’ll open the door to mold.
How To Keep Your Plants Alive When You’re On Vacation
A reader recommended this method to me and I must say it is absolutely fantastic! The simplest and most effective method I have tried.
Place potted plants in a shallow bowl of water with holes in the bottom, or better yet, if you have a bathtub or sink that gets plenty of indirect light. Do not add more than a few inches of water, just enough to handle evaporation. And you’ll still have plenty of water to water your plants while you’re away.
Be careful: standing water attracts insects and flies, dust the watering can, and spray insect repellent if you’re away for more than a few weeks. Buy a natural herbal remedy or mix 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide in 1 cup of water and add 3 drops of Dawn dish soap. Before adding the plants, rinse and spray the top of the tank full of water.
Notice Some plants don’t like too much moisture and need to dry out between waterings…for these plants this is a temporary measure and you want the soil to dry out when you return to prevent root rot.
How To Water Plants While Away
When growing outdoor plants without a drip system, using a soaker hose is another great way to keep your garden moist. You can buy a timer (like a drip system) that turns the water on and off daily, or you can simply set it to send a slow downpour.
Learn how to grow an avocado from seed! Forget the old toothpick method and find a foolproof method here.
Ursula Carmona is the creative mind behind Carmona’s Home Made, where she shares her expertise in decorating, DIY, organization and gardening. Ursula is a speaker, host of the HGTV digital series “Table Wars: Look for Less” and has appeared widely in print and online. We are sisters with a passion for travel and fashion. We love sharing tips on hidden gems and the latest fashion trends.
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How Much Should I Water My Plant?
I travel a lot and needed a way to water all my plants while on vacation for 2-3 weeks. Now I have about 10-15 indoor plants and my collection is growing. Plants make me happy.
Most of my plants are about 2 years old and most of them have survived without me.
