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Water before you leave -

Make sure your plants are well watered before you go on vacation. This might require some planning on your part, a few days in advance.

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Water before you leave -

Begin to water your plants a day or two before you leave, so you can fully saturate the soil until water drains out of the holes in the pot.

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Group plants together -

If you're going away, you should group your plants together according to their preferences for light, heat, moisture, etc.

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Group plants together -

When grouped together, plants release moisture into the air around them. This is something your tropical greenery will love!

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Use self-watering devices -

Invest in self-watering spikes or globes that slowly release water into the soil as it dries out. These can help maintain consistent moisture levels.

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Use self-watering devices -

The closed system provided by self-watering devices keeps the nutrients within the actual container itself. This allows for consistent watering without the danger of water stagnation or root rotting.

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Mulch the soil -

Apply a layer of mulch, such as wood chips or coconut coir, to the topsoil. Mulch helps retain moisture and prevents weed growth.

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Mulch the soil -

Mulch helps to conserve and extend the water available in the soil. It also protects the soil by acting as a physical barrier.

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Place plants in a saucer -

Place your potted plants in a larger tray or saucer filled with water. The plants will absorb water as needed through the drainage holes.

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Place plants in a saucer -

Fill a tray of pebbles with a little water and place the pot on top to keep the humidity high. Through spring and summer, indoor and outdoor plants can be sat in a saucer of water to keep them hydrated over a long weekend.

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Create a DIY wick system -

Test your DIY skills. Using cotton strings or capillary matting, you can create a wick system for your plants, to keep them hydrated.

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Create a DIY wick system -

Place one end of the material in a container of water and the other end in the plant's soil. This allows the plant to draw water as needed.

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Close curtains or blinds -

If you have sensitive plants, partially close curtains or blinds to reduce direct sunlight and heat.

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Close curtains or blinds -

By blocking some of the light entering the room, the plants will conserve more water. You might want to tweak your AC or fan settings too, to maximize water retention.

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Move to a shadier spot -

If possible, move your plants to a shadier area of your home to reduce water loss through transpiration.

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Move to a shadier spot -

This will help prevent the plants from drying out completely, which some species might be more susceptible to in direct light.

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Prune and deadhead -

Remove dead or yellowing leaves and spent flowers from your houseplants before you leave. This will reduce the plant's energy needs.

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Prune and deadhead -

Deadheading will also remove the spent blooms before they can produce seeds while you're away. The existing buds will be blooming when you return!

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Get a plant sitter -

A plant sitter is a necessity if you're going to be away for a week or more. You should leave clear instructions about the plant species and any special requirements for the sitter.

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Get a plant sitter -

Enlist a friend or neighbor to check on your plants if you can. That way, they can water as needed and nip any issues in the bud!

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HydroSpikes or drip irrigation -

Consider using HydroSpikes or a drip irrigation system, which can automate the watering process.

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HydroSpikes or drip irrigation -

This will be a great help to plants that need more water (like ferns), which will suck up the water as and when they need it. But research if this is something your plant species really needs before implementing it.

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Cover with plastic bags -

For smaller potted plants, you can create a mini greenhouse by placing a clear plastic bag over the plant. Make sure it's not sealed tight, to allow some airflow.

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Cover with plastic bags -

This method may seem unconventional, but it helps maintain high humidity. Air goes out through the plastic, but water won't. It works best for longer vacations, but just remember to keep the bag untied at the top if you're away for more than 10 days.

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Use a timer for grow lights -

If you use grow lights, you should set them to a timer while you're away. Smart plugs and smart bulbs can even be preset on phone apps.

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Use a timer for grow lights -

Don't forget that plants do need a period of darkness to thrive, so you shouldn't leave your grow lights on continuously while you're away.

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Choose drought-tolerant plants -

If you travel a lot for work or typically take many vacations in a year, consider cultivating drought-tolerant plants, as they require less maintenance.

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Choose drought-tolerant plants -

Drought-tolerant plants suffer less from plant diseases and have greater resistance to pests in the environment. They're definitely better suited to a home where traveling happens more frequently.

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Test run before vacation -

If you're using new watering methods, make sure to test them out for a few days before your trip, to make sure they work effectively.

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Happy plants! -

If you follow these tips, you're set to return to happy plants after you've been away.

Sources: (Treleaf) (Léon & George) (Gardenesque) (Sproutl) (House Beautiful) (Gardeners' World) (Just Add Ice Orchids) (Urban Gardener)

See also: The best houseplants to keep your home fresh

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