I hate leaving my plants behind when I travel—it’s like abandoning little green kids! But after a few trips (and some sad, droopy homecomings), I’ve figured out ways to keep them thriving while I’m gone. Here are 12 tricks I swear by to care for houseplants when I’m off on vacation.
1. Water Deeply Before You Go
The day before I leave, I give everyone a big drink. I soak the soil until water runs out the bottom, then drain the saucers. It’s like a hydration head-start for my thirsty crew.
2. Move Them Away from Sun
My sunny windowsill turns into a plant fryer when I’m not around to adjust things. I shift them a few feet back to softer light—enough to grow, not enough to scorch.
3. Set Up a Watering Wick
For my fussier plants, I rig up a DIY wick. I stick one end of a cotton string in a jar of water and the other in the soil. It sips slowly—kept my fern alive for a week once!
4. Use Self-Watering Pots
I’ve got a couple plants in pots with built-in reservoirs. I fill them up before I go, and they drink as needed. It’s cheat-mode for my peace lily.
5. Try a Drip Bottle
I poke a tiny hole in a plastic bottle cap, fill it with water, and bury it upside-down in the soil. It drips out gradually—worked like a charm for my pothos last trip.
6. Group Them Together
I herd my plants into a little huddle in a shady spot. They share humidity and stay cozier that way. My calathea loves the buddy system.
7. Cover with Plastic Bags
For short trips, I pop a clear plastic bag over my humidity lovers—like my prayer plant—after watering. It’s a mini greenhouse, but I poke a hole so it doesn’t get moldy.
8. Fill a Tray with Pebbles
I set pots on a tray of wet pebbles before I leave. The water evaporates up to the leaves, keeping things moist. My orchids stay perky with this one.
9. Skip the Fertilizer
I learned the hard way—feeding plants before a trip makes them grow fast and get thirsty. I hold off until I’m back to keep them chill.
10. Ask a Friend to Check In
When I’m gone longer than a week, I bribe a pal with coffee to pop by. I leave a note with simple instructions—water if dry, no soaking. It’s my backup plan.
11. Use Watering Globes
Those glass watering globes you stick in the soil? I’ve got a few for my spider plant. They release water slowly—pretty and practical for a getaway.
12. Pick Hardy Plants to Begin With
My toughest plants—like the snake plant—don’t care if I’m gone. I lean on them for longer trips. Less fuss, more forgiveness.
A Quick Vacation Prep Tip
I test these tricks a few days before I leave to see what works for each plant. A little planning means I’m not stressing about wilted leaves mid-vacation. Oh, and I always empty saucers—no soggy roots welcome me home!
These 12 ways let me enjoy my trips without plant-parent guilt. They’re simple, cheap, and keep my green gang alive until I’m back to fuss over them. Try a few next time you’re packing—your plants will thank you with a happy, leafy hello!
