Going on Vacation? How to Keep Your Plants Watered While You're Away

You’ve booked the flights, packed the bags, and then it hits you: who’s going to water the plants? For plant parents, leaving town can be genuinely stressful. But with the right preparation, your plants can survive — and even thrive — while you’re enjoying a week at the beach.

Before You Leave: Preparation Checklist

A little prep work goes a long way:

1. Water all plants thoroughly the day before you leave
2. Move plants away from windows to reduce light exposure and slow water consumption
3. Group plants together — this increases humidity around them
4. Remove any flowers or buds — they use extra water
5. Prune dead or dying leaves — the plant won’t waste energy on them
6. Check for pests — you don’t want an infestation growing unchecked while you’re away

Methods by Trip Length

Short Trip (3-5 Days)

Most houseplants will be fine with just a thorough watering before you leave. The following need no special setup:

• Snake plants — can go weeks without water
• ZZ plants — extremely drought tolerant
• Pothos — handles a few dry days easily
• Succulents and cacti — already adapted to infrequent water
• Jade plants — stores water in thick leaves

For thirstier plants like ferns and calatheas, move them to the bathroom or kitchen where humidity is naturally higher.

Medium Trip (1-2 Weeks)

This is where DIY watering systems become useful.

Method 1: The Bathtub Soak

1. Place a towel in your bathtub
2. Add about 1 inch of water
3. Set potted plants (with drainage holes) directly on the towel
4. Plants will wick water up through the drainage holes as needed
5. Close the bathroom door to trap humidity

Best for: Tropical plants, ferns, calatheas, peace lilies

Method 2: Wine Bottle Watering

1. Fill a clean wine bottle or water bottle with water
2. Quickly invert it and push the neck into the soil at a slight angle
3. Water will slowly seep out as the soil dries
4. One bottle provides about 3-7 days of water depending on pot size

Best for: Medium pots with moderate water needs

Method 3: Cotton String Wicking

1. Fill a large container (bucket, vase, bowl) with water
2. Cut cotton string or rope into lengths that reach from the water to your plants
3. Bury one end 2-3 inches into the soil of each pot
4. Place the other end in the water container, weighed down to stay submerged
5. Capillary action pulls water through the string into the soil as it dries

Best for: Multiple plants in a group, any pot size

Method 4: Plastic Bag Greenhouse

1. Water the plant thoroughly
2. Place the entire pot inside a large clear plastic bag
3. Blow air into the bag to inflate it (so it doesn’t touch leaves)
4. Seal loosely with a twist tie
5. The bag traps moisture, creating a miniature greenhouse

Best for: Small to medium plants, humidity lovers. Avoid for succulents (too much moisture).

Long Trip (2-4 Weeks)

For extended absences, you’ll need more robust solutions.

Self-Watering Pots

If you travel frequently, consider investing in self-watering planters for your thirstiest plants. These have a built-in reservoir that feeds water to roots as needed.

• Fill the reservoir before leaving
• Most hold 2-4 weeks of water
• Available at most garden centers
• Great for consistent watering even when you’re home

Drip Irrigation Kit

For serious plant collections, a drip irrigation system is worth the investment.

• Connect to a timer on your faucet
• Adjustable drip emitters for each plant
• Can water your entire collection automatically
• Setup takes an afternoon but pays off repeatedly

Plant Sitter

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best:

• Ask a trusted friend or neighbor
• Leave written instructions for each plant (or group similar-needs plants together)
• Show them how to check soil moisture
• Leave your contact info for questions
• A small gift or plant cutting is nice to offer in return

Plants That Survive Neglect the Best

If you’re a frequent traveler, focus your collection on drought-tolerant species:

Plant	Can Go Without Water
Snake Plant	3-4 weeks
ZZ Plant	3-4 weeks
Cacti	4-6 weeks
Jade Plant	2-3 weeks
Aloe Vera	2-3 weeks
Pothos	1-2 weeks
Hoya	2-3 weeks
Cast Iron Plant	2-3 weeks

What NOT to Do

• Don’t overwater before leaving — soaking soil to the point of standing water causes root rot
• Don’t put ice cubes on soil — this is an old myth that provides negligible water and shocks roots
• Don’t leave plants in full sun — less light means less water consumption
• Don’t fertilize right before leaving — fertilizer increases water needs
• Don’t stress — most plants are tougher than you think. A brief drought won’t kill an established plant

When You Get Home

• Check each plant and water as needed (don’t water all of them — check soil first)
• Resume your normal care routine gradually
• Look for any pest issues that may have developed
• Prune any leaves that dried out or yellowed
• Move plants back to their usual positions

With the right preparation, your plants will be here waiting for you, healthy and ready for their next watering. Now go enjoy your vacation.