Taking care of your houseplants while you are on holiday

It is almost time! Maybe you are off to a campsite, a beach resort, a tropical getaway or just a quiet break in the woods. Heading off on holiday soon and leaving your houseplants behind? No stress. With a bit of preparation, most plants can survive just fine without you for a couple of weeks.

We have put together some handy tips to help your plants stay happy while you are away.

Indoor plants get used to a certain rhythm. If you suddenly change that, they can dry out, get weak or even die. Especially in summer, when your home is warmer and drier, plants need a bit more attention.

But with a few clever tricks and a little planning, you can help your plants through this period with ease.

Before you leave, move your plants out of direct sunlight. Find a cooler, darker place for them, maybe a few metres away from the window or in a room with the curtains partly closed. This way they will lose less water and save energy.

Even tropical plants can handle a bit of shade for a while. Just make sure the room still gets some light. They still need it to stay alive.

No plant sitter available? A watering globe is a great solution. You fill it with water, stick it into the soil and your plant will slowly soak up the water as needed. These globes come in all sizes.

Do not have one? You can make your own version. Fill a bucket with water and run a cotton rope from the bucket into the plant pot. The rope will draw up the water and release it into the soil bit by bit. Simple but effective.

Got lots of plants or ones that need special care? Ask a friend or neighbour to check in once or twice. Leave a simple checklist with the plant names, how much water each one needs and when.

Even someone without green fingers can help this way. Do not forget to leave your watering can out.

Some plants are perfectly fine on their own for a while. Very handy if you are away for two or three weeks.

• Sansevieria

• Zamioculcas (ZZ plant)

• Cactus

• Succulents like Echeveria and Crassula

• Aloe vera

• Peperomia

These plants have thick leaves or root systems that store water. Just give them a normal watering before you go and leave them be.

• Monstera

• Philodendron

• Dracaena

• Ficus

• Calathea (only in a cool and shady spot)

Give these ones a bit more water than usual, but do not overdo it. Too much water could lead to root rot while you are away.

It depends on:

• The plant type

• The size of the pot

• Where it is placed in your home

• Temperature and humidity

Most houseplants can go around 10 to 14 days without water. Longer than that can be risky in summer. If you reduce light and heat, use a watering system or get a plant sitter, you can stretch that to about three weeks.

Important: Do not give your plants loads of extra water before you leave. If the roots stay too wet, they can rot, especially in pots with poor drainage.

Got a closed terrarium? Then you usually do not need to do anything. Because it is sealed, the moisture stays inside. Just check if there is still some condensation on the inside. If yes, the humidity is spot on.

• Move your plants out of direct sun

• Give them normal water (not too much)

• Use watering globes or a DIY rope system

• Leave a care list for your plant sitter

• Check moisture levels in your terrarium

• Partially close curtains or blinds

Shop our easy houseplants

Want to enjoy your holiday and still have happy houseplants? You can. With the right prep, your plants will be just fine while you are gone. Want to make life even easier? Take a look at our collection of easy houseplants.