14 ways to keep your houseplants alive while you're on holiday (and how to revive them when you get back)

The Guardian

a day ago

Summer holidays are a joy for us, but not always such a thrill for our houseplants. Few things are worse than returning home to discover a horticultural graveyard. Plants can survive unsupervised during the winter, but heatwaves, a lack of ventilation, and no one around to water mean summer holidays are a recipe for disaster.
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But fear not. A bit of planning and the right kit can make all the difference between a happy homecoming and a shrivelled mess. Whether you go full-tech or just trust in a good soak and a friend, there's a holiday plant-care method for every budget and plant. Regardless of how long you're going away for, here are some of the best tips and tricks to keep your houseplants alive, hydrated and happy in your absence.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best: ask a neighbour, family member or friend to look after your plants while you're away. Leave easy instructions and group plants that require similar care. It's a lot to expect someone to visit several times a week, but even one mid-holiday visit can make a huge difference. Or, as I'm doing with my neighbour, swap plant-sitting duties with a fellow plant lover: you water theirs, they water yours.
Move your plants away from windows where they might be scorched by direct sunlight. Place them together on a table in a room that gets indirect light. This helps create a more humid microenvironment, which helps reduce water loss through evaporation and can prevent the plants from drying out. Try placing shallow trays filled with water and pebbles nearby to provide extra humidity and buy you a few extra days of grace. For extra moisture, soak your plants' soil in the bath or sink first and let it drain before grouping them.
H&M watering globe
£9.99 at H&M
These elegant glass orbs are plant decor and a hydration device. They're filled with water and inserted into the soil to provide a slow, steady water supply. This will help maintain moisture levels while you're away. They're ideal for smaller potted plants or trailing varieties such as pothos and philodendron. Ensure they're securely in place and filled before you go.
Terracotta watering spikes
£7.99 at Crocus£25.99 for 10 at Amazon
A more lo-fi version of the globe above, and a great way to recycle a used bottle. These terracotta cones slowly release water from an upturned wine or plastic bottle as the soil dries out. A great option for bigger houseplants that don't like to dry out completely.
Willow plant parent sensor
£63.99 at Willow
For something more tech-savvy, this plant sensor connects to a hub using wifi (most use Bluetooth). It tracks soil moisture, temperature and light, and syncs with an app to give real-time care advice based on the specific plant you're monitoring. It allows you to keep a virtual eye on your plants, and if the levels get too low, you can always bribe a friend to pop over.
Westland water-saving gel
£6.49 at the Range£12.99 at B&Q
Soak these in water to let them expand, then mix into your compost before you go. They'll release the water slowly as the soil dries. Especially useful for thirsty tropicals or ferns that throw a fit the moment they dry out. The downside? You'll be adding polymers to your soil, so it may not be ideal if you're aiming for a fully organic setup.
Capillary matting sheet
£3 for five sheets at B&Q£10.99 for a 5 x 5 x 50cm sheet at Amazon
Lay this felt-like fabric across your kitchen countertop or table and dip one end into a container of water (such as your kitchen sink). Place your plants in their nursery pots on top. The mat draws up water as needed, letting multiple pots drink at their own pace. It's cheap, easy and a life-saver for grouped watering.
Sturme self-watering indoor plant pots
£15 for three at Amazon
Self-watering glass planter
£9.09 at Crocus£10.39 at Waitrose
Orchid and bonsai self-watering pot
£49.95 at John Lewis
Balcony self-watering planter
£60 at FlannelsFrom £60 at Fraser
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A chic upgrade that does the hard work for you. These pots have a built-in reservoir and wick system, keeping roots hydrated without the risk of soggy soil. They look so good that I would be tempted to use them even when I'm not away.
Plant straws
£22 at London Terrariums
If you want something stylish and reusable, plant straws are a modern take on the classic wick watering system. Handmade in Sweden, these use a cotton wick and aluminium straw to draw water from a nearby container into your plant's soil. Great for hard-to-reach plants, hanging pots or if you just want to avoid the DIY faff. They deliver consistent moisture for up to two weeks and look great doing it.
Garden Gear Mighty Dripper
£15.99 at Robert Dyas£15.99 at Amazon
These reusable drip bags slowly release water over three to seven days and can be looped on to larger pots or hanging baskets. They are especially useful for thirsty outdoor pots or balcony jungle setups. No batteries, no fuss – just fill and go.
Grow Gadgets moisture meter
£29.99 at GroWell£29.99 at eBay
Don't trust your watering instincts? I've got a gadget that could help. Stick this probe into the soil and it'll tell you exactly how wet or dry things are. Handy for pre-holiday checks or for leaving with a nervous plant-sitter.
It's not glamorous, but loosely covering smaller plants with a clear plastic bag creates a mini greenhouse effect that locks in humidity. Just make sure the bag isn't touching the leaves and has a couple of small air holes. Never use this on succulents or cacti – they'll rot.
Pianta grow light
£57 at Grow Gang
If you don't trust the unpredictability of natural light or your home doesn't get much of it, try a UV grow light. Relocate your plants to a cooler, shadier room and set a grow light on a timer for about eight to 10 hours a day. This one comes with a clip-on holder, making it easy to position above your plant shelf. Peace of mind that your plants are getting just enough light, without getting scorched to a crisp.
Ready Steady Defend houseplant bug killer spray, 200ml
£16.95 at Ready Steady Defend£18.91 at eBay
Ready Steady Defend houseplant bug killer spray, 1l
£14.55 at Amazon
Warm weather = peak pest season. Before you leave, give your plants a light mist with a natural insecticide. When you get back, inspect for sticky leaves or fine webs – signs of mealybugs, aphids or spider mites. Neem oil or insecticidal soap will sort them quickly.
Back from your trip? Check your plants for signs that they might have got too much sun. Look for scorched leaves, which may appear yellow or brown and feel dry or crispy. Snip off the damaged parts, move them to a shadier location, and mist them regularly to help them recover.
Trim back any brown or mushy parts, check the roots (they should be white and firm), and give the soil a thorough soak. Then place it somewhere bright but not too sunny. Plants are tougher than they appear and can bounce back with some care and attention.
Gynelle Leon is a houseplant expert, award-winning photographer, and a qualified therapist. She founded the cult plant shop Prick Ldn and now writes the Guardian's Houseplant Clinic column. A proud Virgo based in London, she's also an avid allotment owner and lover of self-development books