13 Ways How to Water Plants While on Vacation

Going on vacation is exciting, but if you’re a plant parent, it can also be a bit stressful. You’ve spent time and effort nurturing your green babies, and now you’re wondering how they’ll survive while you’re away. Whether you’re gone for a few days or a couple of weeks, leaving your plants unattended can lead to dry soil, withering leaves, and potentially losing some beloved plants. But don’t worry! There are easy, practical solutions to ensure your plants get the water they need even when you’re miles away.

13 Easy Ways to Keep Your Plants Alive While You’re Away

In this guide, we’ll walk through 13 simple and effective ways to water your plants while you’re on vacation for few days or weeks. These methods range from DIY tricks to store-bought systems, so you can pick the best one that fits your needs. Let’s explore how to keep your plants thriving while you’re off enjoying your break.

Wick Watering System

The wick watering method is an old but gold technique that works well for indoor plants. It’s as simple as setting up a self-watering system using household items like a cotton rope or string. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Get your supplies. You’ll need a container filled with water, a cotton rope or absorbent string, and your potted plant.
Step 2: Place the water container near your plant. Make sure it’s slightly elevated so gravity can help pull the water down the string.
Step 3: Insert the string. Stick one end of the string into the soil of the plant and the other end into the water container. The string will act like a wick, pulling moisture from the container into the soil.

Why it works: The cotton string gradually absorbs water, which then seeps into the plant’s soil, keeping it hydrated over time. It’s a great solution if you’re only away for a week or two.

Tips: Ensure the string is firmly in the soil and the water container is large enough to hold enough water for the duration of your trip.

DIY Drip Watering System

If you’re a fan of DIY projects, the drip watering system could be your go-to method. This setup uses a plastic bottle to slowly release water into the soil over time.

Step 1: Find a plastic bottle. The size depends on your plant; a 2-liter bottle works for large plants, while smaller bottles work for small ones.
Step 2: Poke holes in the cap. Use a needle or pin to create small holes that will allow water to drip out slowly.
Step 3: Fill the bottle with water. After poking the holes, fill the bottle with water, screw the cap back on, and flip the bottle upside down.
Step 4: Insert the bottle into the soil. Stick the bottle neck-first into the plant’s pot, ensuring the cap is fully buried in the soil.

Why it works: The bottle releases water gradually, providing a steady supply of moisture. It’s simple, cheap, and perfect for keeping your plants watered for up to a week.

Tips: Be sure to test this method before leaving to ensure the water drips at a slow and steady rate.

Give Your Plants a Bath

For plants that love water, you can create a temporary bath to keep them hydrated. This method is especially useful for smaller houseplants.

Step 1: Fill a sink or bathtub with a few inches of water. The water level should reach about a quarter of the height of your plant’s pot.
Step 2: Place your potted plants in the water. Ensure the pots have drainage holes so they can absorb water from the bottom.
Step 3: Let them soak. Leave the plants in the water bath for a few hours or overnight, depending on the plant’s needs.

Why it works: The soil acts like a sponge, soaking up water through the drainage holes and keeping the plants hydrated for several days.

Tips: Avoid using this method for plants that are sensitive to overwatering, such as succulents.

Spread Out the Mulch

Mulch isn’t just for outdoor garden beds! It can be a lifesaver for potted plants as well. Mulching helps retain moisture by preventing water from evaporating too quickly. You can use Mulch calculator to find out how much mulch you would need for your plants.

Step 1: Gather organic mulch. Use materials like shredded bark, leaves, or straw.
Step 2: Spread a layer of mulch over the soil. Apply about 1-2 inches of mulch on top of the soil in your plant pots.
Step 3: Water your plants. Give your plants a good watering before you leave, so the mulch can help lock in that moisture.

Why it works: Mulch slows down the evaporation process, keeping the soil moist for a longer period of time. It’s a low-maintenance way to extend the watering interval for your plants.

Tips: Be careful not to pile the mulch too close to the stem of the plant to avoid rotting.

Install Soaker Hoses

For outdoor plants or garden beds, a soaker hose is a game-changer. This is a low-pressure hose that leaks water slowly along its length, providing even watering.

Step 1: Lay out the soaker hose. Position the hose around your plants, ensuring it’s placed close to the root zones.
Step 2: Connect the hose to a timer. Set a watering schedule with a timer to automatically water your plants while you’re gone.
Step 3: Test the system. Run the system to ensure the water is evenly distributed.

Why it works: Soaker hoses provide consistent moisture directly to the roots of your plants, making it ideal for long-term watering solutions.

Tips: Set the timer to water in the early morning to reduce evaporation.

Turn a Plastic Bag into a Greenhouse

For small plants or seedlings, you can create a mini greenhouse with a clear plastic bag. This method creates a humid environment that keeps the soil moist longer.

Step 1: Water your plant. Water the soil thoroughly before setting up the bag.
Step 2: Place the plant in the plastic bag. Use a large clear bag and prop it up with sticks or stakes to prevent it from touching the plant.
Step 3: Seal the bag. Tie or secure the bag at the base of the plant pot.

Why it works: The bag traps moisture, creating a humid environment that keeps the plant hydrated without needing constant watering.

Tips: Make sure the bag doesn’t touch the leaves to avoid mold or mildew.

Keep Outdoor Plants Watered with Plastic Bottles

Similar to the DIY drip system, plastic bottles can be used to water outdoor plants, especially in garden beds.

Step 1: Prepare the bottles. Use large plastic bottles (1-2 liters) and poke small holes in the sides.
Step 2: Bury the bottles in the soil. Bury them with the caps off, leaving the necks of the bottles exposed.
Step 3: Fill with water. Once buried, fill the bottles with water.

Why it works: The water slowly seeps out of the holes in the bottle, providing a steady moisture supply to the surrounding plants.

Tips: For larger gardens, place multiple bottles around the garden bed.

Rain-Barrel Trick

If you’re going away during the rainy season, you can set up a rain barrel to help water your outdoor plants.

Step 1: Set up a rain barrel. Place the barrel under a downspout or gutter to collect rainwater.
Step 2: Attach a soaker hose. Connect the barrel to a soaker hose or drip system, so it releases water to your plants.

Why it works: Rain barrels collect and store natural rainwater, which can be used to water your plants even when you’re not around.

Tips: Make sure to check local guidelines, as rainwater collection may be restricted in some areas.

Rearrange the Potted Plants

If you have potted plants outdoors, grouping them together can help reduce water loss.

Step 1: Find a shady spot. Move the plants to an area with indirect sunlight or partial shade.
Step 2: Group the plants together. Placing the pots close together creates a more humid environment, which helps slow evaporation.
Step 3: Water deeply before leaving.

Why it works: Less exposure to direct sunlight means less water evaporation, helping the soil stay moist longer.

Tips: Be mindful of plants that require full sun—don’t move them to complete shade for too long.

Consider Shade Cloth

A shade cloth is a great solution for outdoor plants that need protection from intense sunlight while you’re away.

Step 1: Purchase a shade cloth. Choose a breathable cloth designed for plants. You can find these at most garden centers or online.
Step 2: Drape the cloth over your plants. Place the shade cloth over your garden bed or potted plants, securing it with stakes or poles so it stays in place.
Step 3: Adjust the coverage. Make sure the shade cloth allows some light to pass through—usually about 30-50% of light, depending on your plants’ needs.

Why it works: Shade cloth reduces the intensity of the sun’s rays, which in turn lowers the amount of water the plants need. It also keeps the soil cooler, slowing down evaporation.

Tips: This method is ideal for plants that usually require full sun but can handle indirect sunlight for short periods.

Glass Bottle Solution

The glass bottle method is another simple DIY solution that works similarly to the plastic bottle drip system but with a more decorative flair.

Step 1: Get a glass bottle. Any empty glass bottle with a narrow neck will work, such as a wine or soda bottle.
Step 2: Fill the bottle with water. Fill it to the top and quickly cover the opening with your hand or a cap to prevent water from leaking out too early.
Step 3: Insert the bottle into the soil. Turn the bottle upside down and insert the neck into the soil of the plant pot. The water will slowly seep out as the soil dries.

Why it works: As the soil dries out, it pulls the water from the bottle, ensuring your plant gets a steady supply of moisture over time.

Tips: Make sure the bottle is securely placed in the soil to avoid tipping over.

Plant Saucer Setup

Plant saucers are those shallow dishes that sit under potted plants. When you’re going away, you can fill them with water to give your plants a little extra hydration boost.

Step 1: Water your plant thoroughly. Water the plant from the top as you normally would.
Step 2: Fill the saucer with water. After the initial watering, fill the saucer under the pot with water.
Step 3: Let the plant absorb water from below. The plant will absorb the extra water from the saucer over time, keeping the soil moist for longer.

Why it works: This method allows plants to drink water from the bottom, which encourages root growth and prevents the topsoil from drying out too quickly.

Tips: This method works best with plants that can handle moist soil. Avoid using it for plants that are sensitive to overwatering, like succulents.

Final Thoughts

Leaving your plants unattended while you’re away doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re using a traditional water wicking method, setting up a DIY drip system, or getting creative with plastic bottles, there are plenty of ways to keep your plants hydrated during your vacation. From indoor houseplants to outdoor garden beds, these methods offer practical and effective solutions to ensure your green friends stay healthy while you’re enjoying your time away.

By following these tips, you can head out on your vacation with peace of mind, knowing your plants will be well cared for. Safe travels, and happy gardening!

Don’t forget to explore more gardening tips and tricks on our blog for keeping your plants healthy and thriving year-round.