It's often just before a holiday that worries about plants start. Do they need extra water? Should they be moved away from the window? And can you trust the neighbor to remember to stop by?
After many trips each year, we've learned that plants rarely get into trouble because the most advanced solution wasn't found. Problems more often arise because they are given too much water before departure or a new, untested watering method is tried.
There are several ways to keep your plants alive while you're on holiday. Some work well for a short weekend, while others are better if you're away for several weeks.
Here, we review the six solutions we most often see and use. We also honestly share when we would choose them ourselves, and when we would find another solution.
Before choosing a solution
No matter which method you choose, there are three things we almost always do before a holiday.
- We check the soil and only water the plants that actually need water.
- We move thirsty plants away from the hottest direct sun, but still ensure they get daylight.
- We group plants with roughly the same needs, making them easier to monitor and care for.
Our best advice is not to give all plants extra water just because you're going away. A plant with moist soil doesn't need more water, even if you'll be gone for a week.
Method 1 Get a friend, neighbor, or family member to water
This is the most obvious solution for many. Someone stops by, checks on the plants, and waters them while you're away.
The advantage is that a person can spot problems that an automatic system cannot. The person can see if a plant has fallen over, if a reservoir is empty, or if a plant suddenly looks significantly worse than the others.
The disadvantage is that most people don't care for plants the same way you do. Some give a little water to all plants. Others give plenty because they want to make sure the plants don't dry out. Both can be a problem.
When we ask others for help, we make the instructions as simple as possible:
- We only group plants that might need watering.
- We write when they should be checked.
- We specify a concrete amount of water.
- We make it clear that moist soil should not be watered.
If the plant is in a Moii pot, the instruction becomes even simpler. The person just needs to look at the water level and only fill the reservoir if it's empty.
Our assessment
A good safeguard for longer holidays, but we wouldn't rely on it as the sole solution without very clear instructions.
Method 2 Water well before departure and hope for the best
For a weekend or a few days, many common houseplants can manage fine without a special holiday solution.
The setup we would choose for a short holiday is simple. We feel the soil, water the dry plants, let excess water drain away, and potentially move very thirsty plants away from strong direct sun.
This does not mean that all plants should receive a large extra watering. If the soil is already moist, more water will not make the plant last longer. It might just mean the plant stays very wet while you're away.
We have found that many plants can easily survive a short holiday if they were healthy and watered correctly before departure. Cacti, succulents, and many larger houseplants rarely need an advanced solution for a few days.
Herbs and plants in very small pots, however, can dry out quickly and require more planning.
Our assessment
The solution we would choose for a weekend. For a longer holiday, it's too uncertain for thirsty plants.
Method 3 Strings, wicks, and DIY solutions
A classic solution is to place a container of water next to the plant and run a string or wick from the water into the soil. The idea is that the wick slowly transports water to the plant.
The method can work, but our experience is that it is far less predictable than it seems.
A thick wick can transport so much water that the soil becomes constantly wet. A thin wick can deliver too little. The string can also slip out of the water or lose contact with the soil.
The biggest problem is that many only set up the system the evening before the holiday. Then you don't know if the water container will last for two days or two weeks, or if the soil will get too wet.
Our best advice is to test the exact same setup for at least a week before departure. Use the same container, same wick, same soil, and same location. Then check:
- How quickly the water disappears.
- If the soil becomes evenly moist.
- If the plant starts to droop or get yellow leaves.
- If the wick stays in place correctly.
Our assessment
Can work well if tested. We would never use an untested wick as the sole solution for a longer holiday.
Method 4 Trays, bowls, or bathtubs with water
Many people place plants in a tray, sink, or bathtub with water and expect them to absorb what they need.
We sometimes use bottom watering for a short time if a plant has become very dry and the soil has difficulty absorbing water. But we would not normally let ordinary pots stand directly in water throughout the holiday.
When the bottom of the pot sits in water for several days, the soil can become very wet. This can be especially problematic for plants that prefer the soil to dry out a bit between waterings.
The method can work better with a moist capillary mat, where the pots are not directly submerged in water. However, it is still most suitable for plants that use a lot of water, and it should be tested before the holiday.
We would also never place all plants in the same tray. A thirsty peace lily and a succulent should not have access to the same amount of water.
Our assessment
Can be used as a temporary solution for very thirsty plants. We find it too imprecise as a general solution for all houseplants.
Method 5 Automatic watering system
An automatic watering system can lead water from a larger reservoir through hoses to each individual plant.
This can be a really good solution if you have many plants grouped in the same area, or if you often travel for longer periods. The system can be set to deliver specific amounts of water at specific times.
However, it requires more setup. Hoses can move, a reservoir can run dry, and different plants may need different amounts of water.
If we were to use an automatic system, we would set it up several weeks before the holiday. We would measure how much water each plant receives and ensure that the reservoir is large enough for the entire period.
For someone with three or four ordinary houseplants, we often find the solution more extensive than necessary. If, on the other hand, you have a large collection, it can make a lot of sense.
Our assessment
A strong solution for many plants if the system is already installed and tested. For a smaller plant collection, we would choose something simpler.
Method 6 Self-watering pots
Self-watering pots are the solution we personally prefer for many common houseplants.
The difference between a self-watering pot and a regular pot standing in water is that the water is stored in a separate reservoir. From here, moisture is gradually transported up to the soil, so the plant has access to water over a longer period.
The setup we would choose before a holiday is therefore:
- The plant is already established in the self-watering pot.
- The soil is airy and suitable for self-watering.
- We have monitored the plant's water consumption before the holiday.
- The reservoir is filled before departure.
- The plant is moved away from the harshest direct sun.
We would not repot a plant in a self-watering pot the day before a holiday. The plant needs time to establish itself, and you need to know how quickly it uses water.
When we travel ourselves, we monitor the water level in the weeks before departure. If a plant normally uses a full reservoir in seven days, we know it won't suddenly last three weeks. If the reservoir normally lasts a long time, we can leave with much greater peace of mind.
This is also where the visible water level in a Moii pot makes a real difference. We can see how much water is left without lifting the inner pot. If someone else needs to check the plant, they also don't need to assess the soil or guess the amount of water.
Our assessment
Our clear favorite for plants that thrive with stable access to moisture. It works best as a solution the plant already uses in everyday life.
The setup we would choose before a holiday
For a weekend, we would usually just check the soil, water as needed, and move the thirstiest plants away from strong sun.
For about a week, we would do the same and fill the reservoirs of plants already in self-watering pots.
For two weeks, we would use self-watering for plants accustomed to it, and possibly have someone check on the thirstiest plants along the way.
For three weeks or longer, we would combine a thoroughly tested watering solution with a friend or neighbor who can ensure everything is still working.
After many trips each year, our most important experience is that two thoroughly tested safeguards are better than one creative holiday trick.
Our best advice
The best method is not necessarily the solution that looks smartest. It's the solution you've already seen work for the specific plant.
Therefore, test strings, automatic systems, and self-watering solutions while you are still at home. See how quickly the water is used and if the soil becomes adequately moist.
Once you know the plant's normal water consumption, holiday preparation becomes much easier. Then you don't have to hope for the best. You already know your setup works.
Frequently asked questions
How long can plants survive without water?
This depends on the plant type, pot size, soil, light, and temperature. Many common houseplants can survive a weekend, while herbs and plants in small pots can dry out much faster.
Should I give plants extra water before the holiday?
No. Only water if the soil is dry enough that the plant would normally get water. Extra water can cause the soil to stay wet for a long time.
Can I repot the plant into a self-watering pot right before the holiday?
We would not recommend this. The plant should have time to establish itself, and you should know its water consumption before relying on the solution.
Which method would Moii Copenhagen choose?
For many common houseplants, we would choose a self-watering pot that the plant is already established in. For longer holidays, we would combine it with a person who can check the water level along the way.
