Holiday-Proof Your Houseplants: How to Keep Plants Happy While You’re Away
Heading off on a much-needed break? Whether you’re jetting off to the sun or just escaping for a cheeky weekend away, one thing’s for sure — your plants aren’t going with you. (Well, unless they’ve got their own suitcase, and in that case, we need to talk…)
Picture this — you return from holiday relaxed and sun-kissed, only to find your Monstera looking like it’s been through a drought in the Sahara. But don’t worry, your plants can survive without you. With a bit of prep, they might not even notice you’ve gone.
Here are some simple ways to keep your leafy friends thriving while you’re living your best out-of-office life:
1. 💧 Give Them a Good Drink Before You Go
Water thoroughly the night before you leave — not the morning of. Let the water soak right through and drain out the bottom. For thirstier plants like ferns or peace lilies, make sure they’re properly hydrated.
Bonus tip: Group plants together to create a mini jungle — it increases humidity and helps slow evaporation.
2. 🕶️ Move Them Out of Direct Sunlight
Bright light = faster drying soil. Shift sun-loving plants like succulents slightly back from windowsills, and give more delicate plants a bit of shade. They’ll still get enough light to survive, but won’t be baking while you’re sipping mojitos.
3. 🧪 Use Self-Watering Hacks
No fancy gear? No problem. Here are a few DIY tricks:
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The Bottle Trick: Fill a plastic bottle with water, poke a tiny hole in the lid, and stick it upside down into the soil.
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String Wick Method: Pop one end of a cotton string in a water-filled jar and the other into the plant’s soil. Capillary action does the rest.
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Bath Time!: Pop small pots into the bathtub or sink with a shallow layer of water and a towel underneath for gentle soaking.
4. 🌱 Mulch It Up
Add a layer of moss, bark chips, or even pebbles to the top of your soil to lock in moisture. It’s a great low-cost way to slow evaporation and keep roots cool.
5. 🧑🌾 Rope in a Plant Sitter (if you can)
Got a neighbour, friend, or plant-curious family member nearby? Swap watering favours — you do theirs, they do yours. Leave written instructions (and maybe a cheeky chocolate bar as thanks).
6. 🐌 Don’t Overthink It
Most houseplants are surprisingly resilient. A week without you? Totally manageable with a bit of prep. If you're only away for a few days, some of your tougher plants (we're looking at you, ZZ and Snake Plant) will barely notice.
🌼 Final Thoughts
Going on holiday shouldn’t be stressful for your plants — or for you. Set them up with a solid watering plan, move them out of the sun, and they’ll be just fine. And if you come back to a couple of crispy leaves, just think of it as an opportunity for some post-holiday pruning therapy.
Have a great trip — and remember, while you’re taking in the views, your plants are back home quietly photosynthesising away, waiting for your return. 🌞🌿