Planning a trip and worried your plant babies won’t survive? Nobody wants to come home from vacation to a houseplant graveyard. You might be lucky enough to have friendly neighbors or green-thumbed mates to take care of the watering when you’re away. But don’t worry if you can’t find anyone to look after your greenery – here are some tips for how to keep plants alive while traveling.

What to consider with vacation plant care?

First, you’ll have to think about the needs of your houseplants. This will vary depending on the type of plant and how long your trip is. Succulents and houseplants that are adapted to dry conditions – such as ZZ plants and Snake plants – can happily go for two weeks (or more) without a drink. To keep tropical plants alive while away takes a little more effort.

How to set up your plants before leaving?

• Prune any sad-looking leaves and remove water-hungry buds and flowers to help your plants conserve water effectively.

• Avoid fertilizing your greenery in the weeks leading up to your trip since new foliage requires more water, so you want your plants to grow slowly while you’re away.

• Move your planters away from windows, placing them out of direct sunlight, to stop the soil from drying out as quickly.

• Group humidity-loving species together, as plants release moisture into the surrounding air in a process called transpiration, which helps keep these plants alive during your holiday. Ensure the AC or heating is adjusted to maintain the right temperature for your greenery.

• Thoroughly water all your plants, including succulents, before you leave. Rainforest natives can be soaked in the shower until water pours out of the drainage holes. This watering method will sustain succulents, but tropical plants may need more creative watering solutions while on holiday.

Which watering system to use?

There are plenty of gadgets available to care for houseplants during holidays, from glass watering globes to self-watering planters. Here are some of the best hacks for watering houseplants on holiday (plus in-depth instructions on how to do it).

• Bathtub/sink/tray method. Place plants in a bathtub, sink, or watertight plastic tray with 5-7 cm of water. Ensure pots have drainage holes for water absorption.

• Water wick system. Ideal for herbs and plants requiring regular watering. Place one end of a cotton cord in a water-filled container and bury the other end near the plant roots.

• Plastic bag greenhouse. Cover plants with a clear plastic bag, avoiding direct contact with foliage. Ensure holes for air circulation and keep away from direct sunlight.

• Self-watering bottle system. Poke holes in a bottle cap, fill with water, and bury the neck in the soil. Small bottles work for medium plants, while wine bottles suit larger plants and trees.

Try these tips to keep plants alive while traveling, and come back from your vacation to a lush jungle.

Choosing your plant pot’s material

Plastic pots can be a good choice for houseplants as they are usually lower in cost and come in a wide variety of shapes and colors to choose from. The one downside can be that they are not porous so your plant may not dry out as evenly as it would with a terracotta or ceramic pot.

Terracotta pots are a good match for plants that are drought-resistant or don’t require constant moisture because they are good at soaking up water and keeping the soil dry. Think succulents and other cacti. Hanging baskets are another option that offers lots of drainage but limited choice in what types of plants can go in them.

Pot design

Once you’ve crossed all those other bridges, it’s time for the fun part. What kind of design would work with your plant and the rest of your interior? Big bold statement pots fit well with standing plants and roomier spaces. We recommend not crowding a statement pot and letting it speak for itself.