If you’re heading away for the summer holidays, you want to be able to enjoy the time off without worrying about what’s happening at home. One of the common worries is how your beloved houseplants will cope in the UK’s sweltering heat while you’re off sunning yourself elsewhere.
Whether you’re jetting off for a weekend or a fortnight, the rising temperatures and unpredictable conditions indoors can pose challenges for plant parents leaving their greenery behind. To help holidaymakers avoid returning to droopy leaves and dry soil, Chrissie Handley, Lawn Care Specialist at Online Turf, has shared her essential tips for keeping plants happy and healthy during your time away. The easiest method that doesn’t involve convincing someone to come round and water your plants is a perfect trick to keep plants happy and healthy while you’re away – and all you need is a plastic bottle.
Chrissie said: “Some people use DIY watering methods to help slowly drip-feed their plants water to keep them consistently moist, rather than heavily watering and allowing the moisture to evaporate quickly.
“You can do this with a plastic bottle full of water – if you poke holes in the cap and place it upside down in the soil, it should slowly drip-feed the plants water; however, depending on the size of the bottle, this may not last the full time you’re away. It’s usually best to hire someone or get a neighbour to regularly water them for you!”
If you are only going away for a couple of days your best bet is to just give your plants a thorough water before you leave.
Chrissie said: “You’ll likely want to water the plant very deeply and completely soak the soil, ensuring the water has soaked through the entirety of the soil. A light, minimal watering will likely evaporate quickly, so if you overcompensate and thoroughly soak the plant, even bordering on over-watering, this should allow the plants to have a sufficient water source for the few days you’re away.
“You won’t need to fertilise your plants, as it can affect the pH balance of your soil and can negatively affect their growth. You also shouldn’t cover your plants to protect them from the sun whilst you’re away, as this can actually cause a greenhouse-like effect and make them overheat.”
If you’re planning a long holiday abroad and are worried about your plants, the best thing to do is ask a family member or friend to pop over and water them – just make sure you give thorough instructions to help your less green-fingered friends.
