Before heading off on a weekend getaway or extended family vacation, don’t forget to add one more task to your pre-travel checklist: ensuring the well-being of your plants. Whether it’s a quick weekend trip or a longer holiday, tending to your plants is essential.

If you don’t have someone to look after them, consider relocating your plants to an area where they can receive sufficient sunlight. Additionally, did you know that you can set up a simple DIY irrigation system to keep your indoor or outdoor plants hydrated while you’re away?

Keeping plants hydrated while you’re away can be managed using a few easy DIY solutions, ensuring they remain healthy in your absence. Here are some practical methods:

Method 1: Wick watering system

The wick watering system is an efficient method for keeping your plants hydrated when you can’t water them frequently. Here’s a clearer breakdown of how to set it up:

Materials:

• Bucket or plastic bottle
• Cotton or nylon cord
• Pebbles (optional, for stability)
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut the Cord: Using scissors, cut the cord long enough to reach from the bottom of the water container (bucket or plastic bottle) to the plant pots. Each plant will need its own cord.
2. Fill the bucket or bottle with water. Tie one end of the cord together and submerge it fully in the water. To keep the cord at the bottom, place some pebbles on top of it.
3. Arrange your plants in their desired location.
4. For each plant, insert the free end of the cord a few centimeters deep into the soil. This will allow the water to slowly wick from the container to the soil.

How It Works:

The cord acts as a wick, drawing water from the container into the soil, keeping your plants consistently hydrated over time.

Method 2: Saucer Setup

This method is ideal for low-maintenance plants and works well if you have a flat tray or saucer at home. Here’s what you need:

Materials:

• Saucer or flat tray
• Pebbles (optional)

Instructions:

1. Spread a layer of pebbles on the bottom of the saucer or tray (pebbles is optional but helps with drainage and humidity).
2. Fill the saucer with water, ensuring it doesn’t completely submerge the pebbles. The water should sit just below the top of the pebbles to avoid direct contact with the plant’s roots.
3. Place your plant, still in its drainage pot, on top of the pebbles. The pot will absorb moisture from the water, keeping the soil hydrated over time.

This method provides humidity and gradual watering, perfect for plants that don’t require frequent care.

Method 3: Glass Bottle

This method is ideal for larger plants and is a great way to reuse wine or oil bottles. Here’s what you need:

Materials:

• Bottle with a cap (e.g., wine or oil bottle)
• Hammer
• Nail

Instructions:

1. Using the hammer and nail, create a few small holes in the bottle’s cap to allow water to drip out slowly.
2. Fill the bottle with water and securely screw the cap back on.
3. Dig a small hole in the soil near the base of the plant. Insert the bottle, cap-side down, into the hole. Ensure the bottle is stable and upright.

The bottle will gradually release water into the soil, keeping your larger plants hydrated while you’re away.

I hope this DIY plant-watering trick brings you peace of mind, so when you return, you’ll find your plants thriving and in good health. Have a fantastic trip, you’ve got everything under control!