How to Water Plants When You're Away

Going on vacation or being away from home for a few days can be a source of worry for plant lovers. How do you keep your plants alive and thriving while you're not around to water them regularly? Fortunately, there are several solutions to this problem, some of which require little effort on your part. Here are some tips on how to water plants when you're away:

1. Use self-watering containers

One of the easiest ways to keep your plants hydrated during your absence is to use self-watering containers. These containers have a special design that allows water to be stored in a reservoir at the bottom of the pot. The water is then drawn up by the plant roots when needed. This can be a convenient solution if you're going away for a week or two and don't want to worry about watering your plants every day.

2. Create a watering system

If you have a large collection of plants or don't have self-watering containers, you can create a simple watering system using a plastic bottle, a straw, and some tape. Here's how:

Fill a plastic bottle with water.

Make a small hole in the cap of the bottle.

Insert a straw through the hole so that it extends into the water.

Place the bottle upside down in the soil near the plant.

Tape the straw to the plant pot so that it stays in place.

The water will slowly drip out of the straw and into the plant's soil.

3. Ask a friend or neighbor to water your plants

If you're going away for an extended period, it may be a good idea to ask a friend, neighbor, or plant-sitter to water your plants while you're gone. Make sure to give them clear instructions on how much water each plant needs, where to find the watering can, and how often to water. You can also leave them a written list of your plant-care routine to follow while you're away.

4. Use a plant nanny

A plant nanny is a simple device that can help maintain the moisture level in your plants' soil. It consists of a terracotta cone that is filled with water and inserted upside down into the soil. The water slowly drips out of the cone and into the soil as needed. Plant nannies can be a great solution if you're going away for a few days or a week and want to keep your plants hydrated.

5. Create a humidity tray

Some plants, such as ferns and tropical plants, thrive in high humidity environments. If you're going away for a few days and have plants that need extra humidity, you can create a humidity tray. Here's how:

Fill a shallow tray with pebbles.

Add water to the tray, but don't fill it to the brim.

Place the plant pot on top of the pebbles.

The water in the tray will evaporate and create a humid microclimate around the plant.

With these tips, you can keep your plants hydrated and healthy even when you're not around to water them. Choose the method that best suits your needs and enjoy your time away from home knowing that your plants are in good hands.