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Ways to Water Your Plants While You're On Vacation

4 minutes
In this article, we'll be taking a look at some of the different ways you can water your plants while you're away on vacation, to keep them looking as good as they did the day you left.
Ways to Water Your Plants While You're On Vacation
Last update: 26 September, 2020

Like any good plant owner, you probably take extra special care of your plants all year round – pampering them, feeding them, watering them, and appreciating just how much they brighten up your home. But even though you’re looking forward to getting away for a few weeks in the sun, you’re worried about what might happen to your plants. But don’t panic. Today, we’re going to show you some different ways to water your plants while you’re away on vacation.

Knowing your plants are well looked-after will allow you to enjoy your vacation to the full. And, when you return home, you’ll find your plants looking just as happy and healthy as the day you left.

How to water your plants while you’re on vacation

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Any plant owner will know just how much plants can do for you and your home. If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably become quite fond of them. That, added to all the time and effort you’ve put into making them look beautiful and healthy means that there’s no way you can simply abandon them while you’re on vacation.

Even if you’re not at home, your plants will still need a minimal amount of water while you’re away. Ideally, it’s usually best to have a friend or neighbor come water them for you. However, it’s not always easy to find someone to do it.

Below, you’ll find some of the best ways to water your plants while you’re on vacation. With these handy gadgets, you can ensure your plants stay hydrated, and prevent them from wilting. So, grab a pen and paper, put on your gardener’s hat, and grab your gloves, because it’s time to get to work.

Self-watering plant pot

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These self-watering planters have a built-in water storage container with a smart irrigation system, supplying your plants with water as and when they need it. Sounds like something out of a science fiction book, right?

They’re really simple to set up, and the assembly instructions are super easy to follow. The only thing you’ll need to take into account is that for this system to work properly, you’ll need to water your plants regularly for at least 12 weeks after you move them into their new pots.

This is roughly how long it will take for the roots to grow long enough to reach the water supply. After 12 weeks, all you’ll have to do is fill the container with water, and it will take care of your plants automatically. Thereafter, you’ll only need to fill it up every few weeks.

Watering your plants while you’re on vacation – water retention gel

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You’ve probably already come across this popular product at some time or another. When they come into contact with water, these special water-storing crystals turn into a sort of gel.

All the water they absorb is slowly released over time. According to gardening experts, this can reduce watering frequency by up to 50%, leaving you plenty of time for your vacation.

To use it, all you have to do is follow the instructions on the back of the pack, mixing the recommended quantity of granules with the corresponding amount of water, before adding it to your planter. These gels can hold up to 400 times their weight in water and are available on Amazon.

Automatic watering system

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This is a simplified version of the watering systems typically used to maintain outdoor gardens and nurseries and can be a great option when it comes to watering your plants while you’re on vacation.

This idea was inspired by a popular home hack for watering houseplants, which involves using a plastic bottle to slowly release water into the soil. Manufacturers decided to take this idea and improve on it, replacing the bottle with a water container that will gradually supply your plants with water at whatever speed you decide.

These Blumat watering stakes are made from eco-friendly material and are available on Amazon.com. It’s a strong contender for the task of babysitting your plants while you’re away.

Drip irrigation watering bag

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This system essentially follows the same principle as the last but differs slightly in terms of design. It works using a drip, very similar to the kind you find in hospitals. The drip is connected to a large bag, which is filled with water.

The water is slowly released over time, with 15 different speed options to choose from. Like the others, you can also find it on Amazon. If you take a look, you’ll see that it’s one of the most popular systems on the market.

With these watering systems, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your vacation in complete peace of mind, without worrying that your plants are slowly wilting back home.

These ideas are all super easy to install, and any of them will help keep your plants happy and healthy while you’re away. All you need to do is adjust the settings depending on the amount of water your plants need.