With the last of the summer holidays on the horizon, many of us will be leaving our gardens and houseplants unattended for days or even weeks. The constant worry is returning to wilted leaves and faded petals. But fear not — with a bit of planning, your green friends will be just fine.
The experts at Euroflorist have shared some simple plant care tips for those wondering how to keep their plants hydrated while on holiday. From moving indoor plants out of direct sunlight to creating a DIY self-watering globe for larger garden spaces, they’ve got you covered.
Self-watering plant tip
Consider using self-watering globes that enable your plants can water themselves while you’re away. There are even DIY options that work well for bigger spaces.
These handy accessories hold water and release it gradually into the soil, ensuring your houseplants stay hydrated while you’re away. Just fill them up and pop them into the soil before you leave, and they’ll take care of the watering for you.
However, while self-watering globes are great for indoor plants and flowers due to their size in comparison to the amount of soil, they may not be as effective for garden plants.
You can fashion your own DIY self-watering globe using a glass water bottle, which is preferable to plastic to prevent microplastics contaminating the soil. If you plan to use this method while you’re away, it’s best to attach a clay spike or cone to the bottle.
Simply fix it to the top of the bottle, invert it, and insert it into the soil. This ensures that the clay only releases water when the soil is sufficiently dry, providing your plant with hydration only when needed.
Alternatively, you could puncture small holes in the bottle cap, allowing the water to gradually seep out over time for consistent hydration.
Relocate your plants away from direct sunlight
While your plant may thrive on a sunny windowsill, without regular watering, the intense heat and sunlight could quickly dehydrate them, causing them to wilt. So before you head off, move your houseplants to a cooler, shaded area, ensuring they still receive some indirect sunlight.
Enlist the help of a neighbour
Although not a tip you can implement yourself, asking a neighbour, family member, or friend to water your plants is an excellent solution for those with lush gardens.
Our garden plants require hydration, particularly during hot temperatures, as this can cause them to dry out more quickly. Plants in the ground need a thorough watering every few days, while hanging baskets and containers may need a daily drink.
Certain plants may require more water than others, so be sure to indicate which ones need extra attention to your plant babysitter.
Deadhead any flowering plants. Plants can grow at an astonishing rate at times, and after some time away, we can return home to what seems like a jungle.
Therefore, it’s best to deadhead any flowering plants, which simply means snipping off any faded or finished blooms. You can do this with your hands, by gently pinching the blooms, or using plant snippers/scissors.
By removing any dead flowers, you can ensure that the plant will stop putting its energy into making seeds, and focus on growing new buds instead. This results in more blooms for you when you’re back from your holiday, as well as keeping things looking tidy, and preventing disease from spreading.
