Perhaps you’re planning a vacation for a week or even longer. Bon voyage! However, if you have plants at home, they still need attention. If you don’t have a neighbor or plant sitter to care for them while you’re away, we’ve put together some useful tips to ensure your plants stay happy and healthy until you return.

1. Leave the succulents alone
Succulent plants, such as cacti, Echeveria or snake plants, don’t need pampering while you’re away. A big reason why we love them! They can go weeks without water. Simply water them thoroughly before you leave, and they’ll be just fine while you’re away.

2. Group the plants

Grouping plants is the easiest way to control their airflow and temperature when we are away. Put several plants together and be sure to group them according to their water needs. Keep tropical plants together so they can feed off each other from their moisture and warmth.

3. Retain moisture

You can use a long and wide metal pan, which you will fill halfway with water. Place pebbles, towels or cotton cloths on its bottom so that the soil absorbs as much as each plant needs. Plant several plants in the tray, similar as needed, in medium-sized, well-drained pots. This will help increase the humidity. If you have plants sensitive to excessive watering, do not put them directly in water, but fill a tray with pebbles, fill it with water and place the plant on top of the pebbles, so that the roots are not overloaded.

4. Opt for self-watering alternatives

For large pots, you can improvise an installation with a 2-litre water bottle. Fill it with water, pierce the cork in a few places and stick the bottle in the ground with the mouth down. Thus, the water will gradually be absorbed by the roots.

5. Lighten their load

Before leaving, remove any dry, unsightly or wilting leaves. So do the buds or flowers, which usually require more frequent watering to maintain their condition.

6. Create a temporary mini-greenhouse effect

A trick for small moisture-loving plants is to improvise a mini-greenhouse for them. First, water them well so the soil is moist, then cover them with a clear plastic bag. Blow air into the plastic until the bag puffs up at the top. That’s how you’ve basically created a mini-ecological system. Because the plant has been watered, the evaporated moisture will catch on the top of the plastic and then “rain” back onto the plant. You can use sticks to hold the bag up away from the leaves.

7. Remove the plants from the window
We don’t suggest you move them to a dark corner, just a few feet back from the window so they don’t photosynthesize as quickly and require less moisture. When you return from vacation, return them to their place. Remove all plants from the sun as much as possible. They will consume less water and the soil will stay hydrated for a longer period.

8. Temporarily give up on fertilizer

If you occasionally use plant fertilizers, we recommend not fertilizing your plants in the weeks before you leave. You’ll want your plants to grow as slowly as possible while on vacation, which will help them conserve energy and water.

9. The bathroom – the perfect refuge for ferns and air plants

Move the humidity-loving plants into the bathroom (provided it’s a window that gets some natural light) or another small room and group them. The smaller the room, the easier it is for the plants to maintain their humidity.

All we want is for your plants to stay healthy, and we hope these easy-to-implement tips work for you.

If you have any questions about plants, feel free to reach out to us online or visit us at the Orangery, located at 54 M. Kogălniceanu Street.

With a love for plants,
Floral Soul