It's not the holiday itself that causes stress. It's the thought of coming home to wilted leaves, dry soil, and that irritating feeling of knowing it would happen.
When you're away, your plants fundamentally need one thing: a solution that keeps moisture more stable than sporadic watering does. Many houseplants can manage a short period alone, especially if they are watered thoroughly before departure and moved away from hot, direct sunlight. But the longer you're away, the more important it becomes to choose a solution that is actually reliable.
Several options exist, and some of them can certainly work. But if the goal is minimal uncertainty and minimal hassle, self-watering pots are the solution we would definitely choose first. Not because they are magical, but because they give the plant more stable access to water and make you far less dependent on someone remembering something at precisely the right time.
Before you choose a solution
Before you even decide on a method, there are three things that almost always help.
Water the plants well before you leave. Move them away from the hottest windows and the harshest direct sun. And preferably place them a little closer together, so they use water more slowly and are more protected. It sounds simple, but it makes a real difference, no matter which solution you choose afterwards.
Method 1: Have a friend, neighbor, or family member water your plants
This is the solution most people think of first. And it can be a good one, especially if you're away for a long time, or if you have many plants with very different needs.
The advantage is that a human can react if something looks wrong. They can spot if a plant falls over, if something dries out too quickly, or if one plant is doing significantly worse than the others. For longer absences, it's still a good safety measure to have someone check in every few days.
The downside is that most people don't water like you do. Some give too much because they want to be nice. Some give too little. And some forget entirely. This is especially a problem because a plant can look droopy even when it's already too wet. So, the help ends up making the problem bigger instead of smaller.
Our assessment: Good as a safety net. Not the most stable solution on its own.
Method 2: Water well before departure and hope for the best
If you're only away for a short trip, many houseplants can cope well with a thorough watering before you leave, especially if they are also placed in a cooler spot with less direct light.
The advantage is that it's easy, free, and requires no setup. For a short weekend or a few days, this can be sufficient for many common plants.
The disadvantage is that it's not a real vacation solution if you're away longer. Many also tend to give far too much water just before departure, hoping it will buy extra time. This can instead lead to heavy soil and a plant that is too wet while you're away.
Our assessment: Fine for a short weekend. Not enough for a proper vacation.
Method 3: Strings, Wicks, and DIY Solutions
The classic DIY solution is a container of water next to the plants and a string or wick that carries the water into the soil. The idea is simple: the plant slowly receives water while you are away.
The advantage is that it's cheap and, in theory, clever. If set up correctly and tested well in advance, it can work for some plants for a period. It's also a solution many choose if they don't already have a self-watering pot.
The disadvantage is that it requires more testing than most people realize. A string can slip out, deliver too little water, or make the soil too wet. And if you only set it up just before departure, you won't really know if it works until you return home.
Our assessment: Better than nothing. More theoretical than practical for many.
Method 4: Trays, Bowls, or Bathtubs with Water
This is a solution many try because it seems simple. You place the pots on something damp or over water and hope the plants will take what they need themselves.
For very thirsty plants, it can actually be a good temporary solution. It can buy a little extra time and be enough for plants that normally use a lot of water and dry out quickly.
The problem is that it's not a very precise method. Some plants will benefit from it. Others will be too wet. And when roots are in too much moisture for too long, they get less air, increasing the risk of root rot. This is especially where the solution becomes uncertain, because the same method can be fine for one plant and far too wet for another.
Our assessment: Good as an emergency solution for very thirsty plants. Too uncertain as a primary solution for ordinary houseplants.
Method 5: Automatic Watering System
If you have many plants or are away for a long time, an automatic system might be an option. It can be more stable than relying on a neighbor, and it can be a good solution if you have already set it up and tested it well in advance.
The advantage is that you get something more automated, and you become less dependent on someone remembering something. This can be particularly sensible if you have many plants gathered in one place.
The disadvantage is that it involves more technology, more setup, and more things that can go wrong. If something fails, you won't be home to notice it. For most people with ordinary houseplants, it is therefore often more complicated than necessary.
Our assessment: A good solution for some. Often more complicated than necessary.
Method 6: Self-watering pots
And now for the solution we clearly like best.
A self-watering pot provides the plant with access to water from a reservoir, so it doesn't depend on someone coming by on the right day. The big advantage is not just that there's extra water. It's that the moisture becomes more stable. The plant can take water as needed instead of being subjected to large swings between bone-dry soil and too much water all at once.
For a holiday of up to a couple of weeks, this is one of the most obvious solutions for many indoor plants, especially if the plants are also moved away from the harshest sun and don't use water unnecessarily quickly.
The important thing is that it works best as a solution you already use. Not as something you panic-pot the evening before departure. When the plant is already well established in its self-watering pot, and the soil is suitable for the system, you get a much more stable solution than most other holiday tricks. This is precisely why self-watering pots feel less like a temporary fix and more like a real solution.
Our assessment: Clear favourite for most common houseplants.
Why self-watering pots are the best solution for most people
If we're being completely honest, holiday plant care is rarely just about water. It's about uncertainty.
Will your friend come by? Will they give too much? Will they forget? Does the string actually work? Is there enough water in the tray? Have you set something up that only works if everything goes perfectly?
That's exactly where self-watering pots excel. They eliminate a large part of the uncertainty because they make watering calmer and more predictable. Not perfect. But far less random. And for most ordinary homes, that's exactly what you need when you're away.
The setup we would choose before vacation
If you want to give your plants the best chances, we would do the following:
Make sure the plant is already well established in its self-watering pot. Use a soil that works well with self-watering. Fill the reservoir before you leave. Move the plant away from hot, direct sun. And avoid experimenting with a completely new solution the day before your holiday.
Then you'll be less reliant on luck. And that's usually a really good strategy.
In short
Yes, there are several ways to keep plants alive when you're away.
You can get a friend to water. You can make a DIY solution with wicks. You can place plants on something moist. You can set up something automatic.
But if you want the solution that typically provides the most stability with the least hassle, then self-watering pots are our clear favourite. Not just because they help when you're on holiday, but because they also make everyday life easier when you're at home.
FAQ
How long can plants survive alone on holiday?
It depends on the plant, light, temperature, and pot. Many houseplants can manage a short period alone, especially if they are watered well and moved away from hot, direct sun. For longer absences, a more stable solution is much safer.
Are self-watering pots the best solution for holidays?
For most common houseplants, it is often the calmest and most stable solution, especially if the plant is already in the system and not repotted just before departure.
Should I still have someone look after the plants?
If you are away for a long time, it is still a good idea. Not necessarily to water, but to notice if anything looks wrong.
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|Kristoffer Jakobsen
