12 Ways To Keep Plants Watered On Vacation

Not everyone has a plant-savvy neighbor to help keep their houseplants watered while on vacation. 

Vacation watering methods can be easier than you think. Care for indoor plants while travelling doesn’t have to depend on others.

I’m sharing 15 simple methods to keep your houseplants watered while away on long trips!

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How To Keep Plants Alive On Long Trips

I’m going away on vacation for 4 long weeks and have indoor house plants that need to be watered. Plus outdoor plants that need to be watered to stay alive. I don’t have any neighbors in my rural country home, and simply hoping for rain isn’t a good option. Luckily, there are many methods to help water plants while on summer vacation.

Indoor plants typically have a different set of needs to be kept alive and thriving than their outdoor counterparts. But not to worry! I’m sharing some great methods for indoor and outdoor plants below.

Important Tips For These Self Watering Methods

First things first, make sure you test these methods out a few weeks before leaving for your trip. It’s important to check it is actually working because sometimes plant watering methods require slight tweaking to work.

Now, what we really want is for our plants to thrive while we are away, not just survive. I recommend giving them a good feeding the month before.

Don’t forget to give your plants a thorough watering before you leave.

1. Water Wicking Method (Jar On The Side)

Place gallon jugs or jars of water (size dependent on how long you expect to be gone) alongside your plant with a piece of twine or yarn in the water, and the other end coiled all around the soil of the plant. The water will wick from the jug to the plant and keep its soil moist while you are gone.

Caution: make sure this is working before you leave. Sometimes, the type of twine or material you work with will only wick part way. You may need to change the material type (make sure it has natural fibers). Or re-position the jar to be higher than the plant with a shorter wick. Keep the water jar close to the plant.

Best for: Houseplants without a lot of foliage

2. Water Wicking Method (Pot-in-Pot)

This is the easiest, and most effective method I’ve found. It works for a large variety of potted plants, both indoors and out! 

String cotton twine through the drain holes at the bottom of the planter. Next, place the planter in a deeper/larger container partly filled with water. The idea is to nest the smaller plant pot in the taller container. It helps to choose the same size width, but one deeper than the other. 

You could use glass vases like I did here to suspend the planter above water. Or simply nest a planter with holes inside a planter without holes. If you can’t find one with a rim that allows it to be suspended in the bigger planter, use something (brick, jar, a smaller planter) to boost it high enough. 

The perks of this method: the plants are watered from the bottom instead of keeping the surface of the soil moist.

Best for: Indoor and outdoor plants that like moisture. This can be used long-term for most medium sized plants. I use this as a regular method of watering my plants, so I only have to water once a month or longer.

Caution: Larger plants may not be able to wick the amount of water they need through a small string. Increase the string size for bigger plants (try cotton rope), and monitor to see if it is working as desired. Beware of doing this for plants that are prone to root rot or need dry or sandy soil.

3. Self Watering Pots (DIY or buy)

You can buy self watering containers as an investment if you travel a lot, OR you can make them yourself! I shared the full tutorial on how to turn your existing planter into a self-watering planter here.

Best for: Outdoor plants, but can be tweaked for indoor plants as well. Especially plants that like to be watered from below.

4. Self Watering Planters & Garden Beds

Even your gardens can be designed in such a way as to “self-water”. You can use sub-irrigation methods to keep your plants watered from below. You can learn how to build raised sub-irrigation garden beds here, and use a similar methodology for in-ground gardens.

This is especially great if you are a low-maintenance gardener but want a high yield. This requires effort at the outset, but once it’s done, you’ll never have to worry again!

Best for: Outdoor plants and garden

5. Terrarium Methods

Some of my tropical natured plants love moisture and need a terrarium-like environment to thrive while I am gone.

Place the plant in a large clear garbage bag (like this one). Water the plant well, and tie the bag up over the plant. Poke lots of holes in the plastic bag near the top so it can breathe. Presto you’ve just created a makeshift terrarium! 

A more attractive version is a bell jar that can cover the plant and a saucer with an inch or so of water for the plant to absorb from the bottom.

Caution: Keep these “terrariums” out of direct sunlight or you’ll just end up baking your plants. To ensure no water leaks, use a tray to catch excess water.

Best for: Indoor plants that love moisture and tropical conditions

6. Use A Watering Globe

No doubt you’ve seen a variety of watering bulbs and terra cotta spikes watering systems out there. They work pretty well if you are out of town for a week or two, and they can be cute as well as helpful!

Some come with a self-contained water reservoir, while others require the use of empty bottles. Collect an empty wine bottle or other repurposed glass bottle.

Caution: if the tip of your watering bulb gets clogged it won’t work. Wrap the end in a little cheese cloth before poking it into the soil to prevent this from occurring.

Best for: Small indoor and outdoor plants

7. Supplement With Moisture Crystals

Water-storing crystals are more of a supplementary measure and should be used in conjunction with another watering method for best results. Add moisture crystals with a secondary watering system. Best when you are planning to be out of town for a month or more. Mix it into the potting soil when you first plant.

I used Miracle Gro Water Storing Crystals, and it seemed to work pretty well, and I don’t have to water my houseplants quite as often as before.

Best for: Indoor plants & small deck plants

8. Automatic Drip Irrigation System (For Houseplants OR Garden)

I’m sure you immediately think of a complicated and costly drip system used for gardens.

However, there is also a drip system designed for the indoors to water your houseplants! It can be put on a schedule, or the app can be used to water on-demand.

​This automatic watering system is the one I own and is probably my favorite solution. It can easily be set up before leaving for several weeks. Use two different systems, one for each type of plant need. Group plants by the water loving ones, and the ones that don’t need much.

Best for: Outdoor and indoor plants

 9. Mulch Indoor & Outdoor Plants

Add a layer of mulch to outdoor plants to help retain the moisture in your garden. And it is great with a secondary watering system. 

However, you can also “mulch” your indoor plants by adding layers of heavily watered peat moss or placing a very moist rag around the base of the plant and covering it with a plastic grocery bag or plastic cling wrap. Poke holes in the clear bag or wrap so it breathes.

Caution: Moss can stay put and make a very nice addition to your potted plant! However, you don’t want to leave a rag or plastic covering for more than a couple of weeks, or you introduce mold.

10. Place Plants In A Tub of Water

Place potted plants with holes in the bottom in a long shallow container of water, or if you have a bathtub or sink that gets a ton of indirect light, that is even better. Don’t add more than a few inches of water. Just enough to withstand evaporation and still have enough to water your plants for the amount of time you are gone.

Caution: standing water can attract bugs and flies. Spray on your tub of water a mold and bug deterrent if you will be gone for more than a few weeks. Buy a natural plant-friendly one from the store, or mix 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide into 1 cup of water, and add 3 drops of Dawn dish soap. Shake and spray across the top of the tub filled with water before adding your plants.

Best for: Indoor plants and potted deck plants

Caution: Some plants hate too much moisture and need to dry out between waterings…this is a temporary measure for those plants, and you will want to let the soil dry out after returning to prevent root rot.

11. Olla Self-Watering Irrigation

Ollas (pronounced oya) are an ancient self-watering system that uses terra cotta pots filled with water. Bury them in the soil, and as the soil dries it wicks water out of the olla to maintain soil moisture at the plant roots. 

I have a few ollas from Grow Oya in my garden (shown below), which I love! But you can also get ollas meant for individual houseplants.

Best for: Container gardens, raised bed gardens, and large houseplants.

12. Use Soaker Hoses On A Timer

When dealing with outdoor plants without a drip system, a soaker hose is another great option to keep your garden moist. You can buy a timer (just like with a drip system) that turns the water on and off for you each day, or you can simply set the hose on a slow drizzle.

You can also use this for indoor plants if you place them on a shaded patio. Lay down a tarp and place your houseplants tightly grouped. Position the soaker hose so it sits across the top of each houseplant and loops around.

Best for: Outdoor plants and gardens

Keeping Plants Watered While Away

​Whether you need to keep your plants watered when away for a week or a month, you no longer have to rely on a plant sitter or family member.

Remember, this shouldn’t be long-term for a healthy garden or houseplants, but it is a great way to care for plants while out of town!

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