How to Keep Your Plants Alive on Vacation

July 31, 2023

Everyone deserves a vacation. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or an epic month-long adventure, careful planning ensures that everything back home is taken care of. When you are preparing for your next vacation, don’t forget about your houseplants!

Prepping your plants for your time away can be easy. It will give you peace of mind that your plants will remain happy and healthy while you are away.

Adjust Lighting and Temperature

Before making any adjustments, you’ll want to consider how often you normally need to water your plants. Depending on the season and your unique access to natural lighting, it can help to move your plants to a new location while you are away. If you normally water your plants once a week and you’re only leaving for the weekend, you don’t have to worry much about the lighting and the temperature. However, if you have great access to natural lighting and find yourself watering your plants often, adjusting their access to light and its heat can help ensure they remain healthy. The more access to natural lighting, the thirstier your plant gets. Use a sheer curtain or move your plants away from the direct light source during your absence. 

Maintaining Moisture

Plants need moisture to thrive. If you are leaving for a brief vacation, giving your plants a thorough watering before you leave can be enough. If you are going on an extended trip, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that your plants have the moisture they need to prevent them from drying up. These steps include:

• Add wood chips, mulch, or lava rocks- Place these on top of the soil to maintain moisture for longer.

• Use a clear plastic bag- think of this as a mini greenhouse for your plant. You’ll want to cut some slits to ensure airflow and use chopsticks or something similar to keep your plant from touching the bag.

• Line a shallow tray with rocks- Using small rocks and a small tray, fill the tray with water and set your planter on top of the rocks. This can help increase humidity and moisture. You just want to make sure that the base of your planter is not sitting in idle water. 

Contact a Friend

If you are comfortable doing so, having a trusted friend care for your plants can ensure they stay healthy and happy while you are away. It is helpful to talk about proper care with your friend before your vacation, as well as leave written instructions during your absence. This takes the guesswork out of proper watering and any need to move your plants while you are away. You can even get updates while you’re gone! 

Tips from Flower Works

You deserve to enjoy every aspect of your vacation. With just a little prep work, you can ensure that your houseplants get what they need while you’re away. We love helping our customers see their houseplants thrive. If you have a vacation coming up and are unsure what is best for the unique needs of your plants, let us help! Contact us today!  

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