How to Keep Your Houseplants Alive While You're Away on Summer Vacation

Do you come home from summer trips to find your houseplants drooping and your garden in desperate need of water and care? It’s a common problem, but fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to ensure your plants stay healthy while you’re away.

Here are the best techniques for watering and caring for indoor plants during your absence, to keep them thriving:

🧵 String Drip System

Close-up of indoor plant care

1. Place a water container (like a jug or pitcher) near your plants — away from direct sunlight to reduce evaporation.

2. Cut a long piece of cotton or nylon string. The exact length isn’t critical, but it should be long enough to run from the container to the base of the plant. One string per plant is recommended.

   • If you don’t have thick string, you can braid fabric strips together to hold more water.

   • Use paper clips to separate strings if you have many.

3. Submerge one end of the string in the water container so it touches the bottom — this ensures continuous water access.

   • If using a paper clip, drop it into the jug to keep the string in place.

4. Insert the other end of the string about 2–3 inches (6–7 cm) into the plant’s soil, making sure it’s not in direct sunlight to prevent premature drying.

5. Water the soil before setting up. Dry soil can draw too much water too quickly from the container.

6. Place the container slightly higher than the plant, using a shelf, overturned pot, or thick book — gravity will pull the water down through the string and into the soil.

💧 Bottle Drip Irrigation System

1. Poke two small holes in the bottom of a plastic bottle using nails and a hammer. After making the holes, remove the nails.

2. Dig a hole near the plant large enough to bury the bottle up to its neck.

3. Place the bottle in the hole with the holes facing the plant and fill the soil back in to keep it steady.

   • Be careful not to damage the plant’s roots.

4. Fill the bottle with water. Water will slowly drip from the holes and keep the soil moist.

   • One bottle can keep your plant watered for about a week.

🌿 Plastic Bag Greenhouse Method

1. Place a wet towel at the bottom of a large, transparent plastic bag.

2. Ensure the bag is big enough to cover your potted plant completely.

3. Check soil moisture. Use your finger to test. If it’s dry, water the plant before sealing it inside the bag.

4. Seal the bag loosely. This creates a mini greenhouse that recycles moisture. Trap a bit of air inside, and if needed, blow into the bag before sealing it gently with a rubber band or twist tie.

5. Keep the setup away from direct sunlight. Bright indirect light is fine, but direct sunlight can overheat the bag and burn your plant.

With these methods, you can travel without worrying about returning to wilted leaves and dry soil. Whether you're gone for a weekend or a week, your plants can thrive — all while you're relaxing on vacation.