It’s finally time to get in vacation mode and leave your responsibilities behind! Bon voyage! However, before you go, don’t forget about your plant babies. Follow these tips on how to care for your plants while you’re away.
Going on a trip is good for your health. Whether you’re going back home for the holidays, or you’re going on vacation alone, you deserve a little time away from the same four walls. But before you go, don’t forget about your plant babies when you leave town because, to be honest, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the packing and planning and forget about your plants. So how do you make sure they will still be alive when you get home? Because nothing’s worst than seeing them when you return. Follow our tips on how to care for your plants while you’re away. These tips will put you at ease while you’re in vacay mode.
How to Care for Your Plants While You’re Away #1: Clean Up Your Plants
Clean the leaves of your plant babies. Trust me, as someone who has gone away for two weeks, I can guarantee that it doesn’t take long for dust to accumulate on the leaves of your plants. Remember that a layer of dust on the leaves will block sunlight and reduce your plant’s ability to photosynthesize, which can result in an unhealthy plant that’s prone to diseases and pest infestations.
Brush softly with a mushroom brush to gently remove the dust from the leaves, or simply wipe the leaves off with a damp cloth. You should also remove dead leaves from the soil to prevent insects from moving in or trim any dead leaves from your plant.
How to Care for Your Plants While You’re Away #2: Increase the Humidity
One of the tips on how to care for your plants while you’re away is to increase the humidity for your houseplants to keep them healthy and lush. Generally, houseplants prefer 40-60% humidity. To achieve this type of humid environment, group several plants together. Plants are good at taking off each other. We also suggest that you place a dish of water in the center, as well.
You can also bathe your plants. Make sure to use lukewarm water and drain the soil completely. Another solution is to strategically locate your houseplants in more humid rooms, such as the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. Lastly, use pebble trays to increase the humidity. It’s also best if you can mist your plants before you head out.
How to Care for Your Plants While You’re Away #3: Water Them Thoroughly
Water your plants completely before leaving. Make sure to allow the water to flow freely from the bottom of the planter. Then, discard the excess water before returning your plants to their saucers. Don’t let your plants sit on any standing water in the saucer because this is the main cause of root rot.
However, if you will be gone for more than a week, it’s best to set up a water-wicking drip system using a simple cotton string. It’s also great if you have more than one plant as you can water multiple plants that need water 3 times per week. You will need cotton rope and a bucket or vase. The bigger the bucket or vase, the more water you supply, the better.
Cut a cotton rope for each plant that needs watering. Make sure that the end of the rope is inside the vase of water and the other end is several inches under the soil. Cover each rope with soil to make sure it stays. Then, fill up the bucket or vase with water. Lastly, water the plants to start the process.
How to Care for Your Plants While You’re Away #4: Ask a Pal
If you have a plant-savvy friend who can take care of your plants while you are away, then that’s better. Even a non-plant-savvy friend will do as long as you provide the proper instruction. It’s best if you can help your friend by leaving notes on what s/he should do. Plus, we suggest that you group your plants with similar watering needs to make the task easier.
Learning these tips on how to care for your plants while you’re away will ensure that your plant babies are still alive and well when you return. Check out our Plant Care blog to learn more about different houseplants and tips on how to keep your plants alive and healthy.
Whatever houseplant you choose to transform your home into a lively oasis, you’ll definitely need a stylish planter to display your plant baby in. No matter what your style, there’s an Omysa planter that will be perfect with your garden and home’s décor. From ceramics to fiberstone, check out Omysa’s Shop and add it to your cart!
