You might be asking yourself, “how do I keep my plants alive on vacation?” You might be thinking, “I love my plants, and want to ensure they thrive while I am away on vacation.” I had these thoughts too! This is why I tried out these 3 methods for vacation plant care.
As someone who loves to travel, and also loves their plants, it was critical for me to learn how to keep my plants alive while I am away on vacation.
I have tried out all 3 methods I highlight below, some for periods of up to 4 weeks at a time. I try not to bother people to check on my plants so I prefer to use these automated plant care systems (that’s just my personality).
My current favourite is number 3, but all of these methods are good, and really personal preference.
1. Rope & Water Jar Method
The jar of water and rope method was the first method I ever tried. The theory is that you put one end of rope in a jar/glass/vase/vessel of water, and the other end you submerge in the soil. The plant then pulls the water through the rope and into its root system, ensuring your plant doesn’t die while you are away on vacation.
I tried this method twice over a two week period in different seasons (end-of-winter and early-fall). It did work. None of plants died over this period, and honestly some looked even better (probably because they were as moist as they desired). On the first trip this was no problem, but on the second trip some of the ropes started to look questionable so I decided to try a different model in the future. I do still recommend this method though, and it’s a great starting point.
Why The Rope & Jar Method Is Great
I love this method because you don’t have to worry about your plant-sitter overwatering your plants. This is basically how you bottom water while on vacation.
However, I would still recommend having a plant-sitter come in after the first week, and check that each plant still has water in its jar, and make sure none of the ropes fell out. This isn’t a necessity though.
If you are gone for more than three weeks, I also recommend having a plant sitter come in to refill the water in the jars, and ensure no ropes have fallen out of the soil or jars.
What You Need For the Rope & Jar Vacation Plant Care Method
– Cotton Rope
– A Lot of Little Mason Jars
– Water
2. Irrigation System
For trips of three weeks plus I use an irrigation system, combined with the watering globes.
For any plants that are close together, and of basically the same sized pots, you can set up an irrigation system (this link does a great job explaining how this works in the images).
If you have all of your plants in one area, you could likely get away with just the irrigation system, and no watering globes.
Why This Method is Great
The irrigation system can be programmed by how often you want the plants to be watered, and by how much.
If you have a larger plant in the mix, you can put multiple pegs in the soil so you don’t drown any plants. Having pots with drainage is super important for this one. Otherwise you may drown your plant.
I would always program this based off of the amount of water your smallest plant will need. I recommend testing this out before you go on vacation so you can monitor, and determine if you need to adjust anything.
Also you likely only need a plant sitter to make sure your plants look okay, and if the bucket of water is out to refill it. This is really just an additional precaution, and not a must.
What You Need For the Irrigation Vacation Plant Care Method
- Irrigation System
- A Bucket of Water
3. Watering Globes
This is actually my current favourite for trips less than three weeks. This is mainly because my plants have grown quite large, and are more spread out now.
Like I mentioned above, the irrigation system is great for plants close together, and of a similar pot size. For all other plants I use watering globes. For some of my massive plants (like my monstera) I double up on the plant in the pot.
Why Watering Globes Are Great For Vacation Plant Care
Similar to the rope and water jar method, the plant will pull water from the globes when they need it.
The average size of the globes are too big for plants in pots smaller than 4″. For me, those plants are just succulents so I give them a big watering before I leave and they have been fine for up to a month (with someone coming to fill up any globes that are empty).
If I had 50 watering globes (enough for all of my plants), this would be costly which is also why I like pairing the irrigation system with the watering globes.
What You Will Need For This Vacation Plant Care Method
- Watering Globes
- Water
If you have tropical plants, you will want a humidifier
If you are going on vacation and have tropical plants, you will need a large humidifier. You will want one with high capacity that you can set the humidity level.
I have 3 different humidifiers: my main one in the living room for the majority of my plants (and largest capacity), a smaller one in the bedroom, and a desktop one for more localized humidity.
I like Levoit humidifiers and air purifiers. Since I bought my first Levoit humidifier, I haven’t turned back, and then bought more Levoit products. I like Levoits humidifers because they show me the percentage of humidity in my space and allow me to set my humidity level. It also auto turns on if the humidity is too low. They also last a long time. I had a couple of humidifiers from other brands that only lasted a year. I’m currently on year 4 with my main one.
Hope this guide helps you with everything you need for keeping your plants alive while on vacation. I have other guides on specific tips such as: individual pest guides, essential items for day-to-day plant care, plant growth (potting/repotting, support), individual plant care guides, general pest management, and my favourite planty books!
