Despite being thought of as ‘unkillable’, more and more people are returning from their holidays to discover that their succulents are on their last legs. However, this isn’t because these are particularly fragile plants; it’s actually because they’re being over-cared for or mis-prepped before holiday departures.
Succulents, spider plants and snake plants, all famed for being easy to care for, are among the top casualties, according to the indoor plant experts at Patch Plants. They analysed discussions on Reddit to determine which plants are among the ‘most-killed’, with succulents surprisingly topping the list. However, they suggest that this is not due to neglect, but rather overwatering, excessive fussing and incorrect placements.
How to keep houseplants alive when you’re away from home
Kelly Dyer, Plant Doctor at Patch Plants, has shared her tips on how to keep your plants thriving when you’re soaking up the sun abroad, or enjoying a staycation at the British seaside.
She highlights that for ‘leave-me-alone’ plants (think spider, snake and succulent plants), the golden rule is less is more when it comes to preparing for your plants.
For these plants, Kelly’s tips are:
- Give them a light watering before you leave, ensuring excess water drains away completely.
- Position away from scorching direct sunlight (but still in bright light).
- Group spider plants with other plants to create a beneficial microclimate.
- Resist the urge to over-prepare them.
When it comes to ‘high-maintenance’ plants, such as ferns, orchids, and begonias, it’s important to set up a support system before heading off on your holiday.
For these, Kelly recommends:
- Investing in water dispensers and capillary mats, which automate slow water release.
- Creating humidity, which you can do by leaving the bathroom or kitchen sink half-full with water and placing plants nearby.
- Grouping humidity-loving plant varieties together to create a humid microclimate. The bathtub is an ideal location for creating the humid environment these plants crave!
- Giving the plants a thorough pre-departure drink, and ensure the soil is evenly moist before you leave.
While you may be tempted to move your plants to a friend’s house while away, Kelly recommends against it. She explains: “Most plants won’t enjoy suddenly being relocated. The change in light levels, temperature, and humidity might cause shock and do them more harm than good.”
Instead, she suggests asking a friend to pop in once a week to check how they’re doing. Just make sure they know which plants are low-maintenance and which ones require a little more care.
Top 15 ‘most-killed’ houseplants, according to Reddit
- Succulent
- Spider plant
- Snake plant
- Fern
- Aloe
- Cactus
- Calathea
- Pothos
- String of pearls
- ZZ plant
- Orchid
- Begonia
- Philodendron
- Ivy
- Montsera